Should you play Alan Wake before diving into Alan Wake 2?
Oct. 27, 2023Alan Wake 2 is a true sequel, but you don’t necessarily need to fully grasp the Remedy Connected Universe to enjoy it
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Should you play Alan Wake before Alan Wake 2? There’s no straightforward answer as it depends on how much you want out of the new survival horror game. As I mention in myAlan Wake 2 review, Remedy Entertainment has delivered an expansive sequel and a deeply metatextual work. That means you’ll definitely get more out of it of it if you’re well-versed in the original Alan Wake and its DLC, and even Control, Max Payne, and Quantum Break to a lesser extent. But don’t let that scare you off as it’s still a wild ride even without that additional context. Here’s what I think when it comes to playing Alan Wake 1 before Alan Wake 2.
Do you need to play Alan Wake before Alan Wake 2?
In short:no, you don’tneedto play Alan Wake before Alan Wake 2– on it’s own, the sequel is a fantastic experience, and undoubtedly one of the best looking games of the generation so far. Butshouldyou play Alan Wake first? I’d certainly recommend that you do take the time to revisit the original if you’re able to. For as far as Remedy has gone to make the game friendly to new players, there’s no question that Alan Wake 2 is a richer experience if you have some grounding in what the hell is going on, why certain characters are presented in the way that they are, and why certain otherworldly actions are occurring.
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When you do switch over to Alan Wake’s struggle to escape the Dark Place, I was actually impressed by just how far Remedy went to try and explain some of the more esoteric concepts it puts forward, but there is a large chance that you won’t completely grasp the severity of the whole situation or importance of many recurring characters without having played the first game. Alice Wake, Tom Zane, Alex Casey, and others are central figures that play pivotal roles.
And just as a final point, here’s a cheat sheet on how older Remedy games will impact Alan Wake 2:
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Josh West is the Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar+. He has over 15 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+’s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you’ve definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.
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