Highlights
- Alan Wake 2, set to release in October 2023, explores both the real world and the Dark Place, an alternate version of New York City, with two protagonists.
- The Dark Place in Alan Wake 2 is expected to introduce horrifying new enemies, drawing inspiration from The Evil Within 2's terrifying and invincible enemy, Anima.
- Alan Wake 2 is likely to further connect with Remedy Entertainment's horror universe, as seen in the DLC narrative of 2019's Control, possibly leading to a streamlined narrative if Alan manages to escape The Dark Place.
Alan Wake 2 is among the most highly-anticipated titles of October 2023, and the last few months have seen its developer, Remedy Entertainment, reveal some extensive looks at its characters and settings. The sequel to 2013's Alan Wake, the title sees players explore both the real world and the Dark Place, with a narrative split between two protagonists. While the real world will be experienced through the eyes of newcomer Saga Anderson, The Dark Place will see players attempt to free Alan from a nightmarish version of New York City. The Dark Place dimension is sure to introduce some disturbing new horrors to the franchise and would do well to take inspiration from another underrated horror title's most terrifying - and psychological - enemy.
Alan Wake 2 continues the story of writer Alan Wake a full decade after the release of the original. However, the character's story has appeared as part of Remedy Entertainment's growing horror universe. 2019's Control featured a final DLC narrative, called AWE, which provided a significant amount of context to the original Alan Wake's supernatural events. It is revealed that Wake was part of the Bright Falls AWE experiment, orchestrated by Dr Emil Hartman. It is likely that Alan Wake 2 furthers the connections between the two titles, possibly leading to a single streamlined narrative, should the character manage to escape The Dark Place.
The Evil Within 2's Scariest Enemy Was Purely Psychological
The Evil Within 2 is one of horror's most underrated gems. Taking place in Union, a town built within the STEM shared consciousness experience, the title saw protagonist Sebastian Castellanos face off with a variety of terrifying enemies. However, The Evil Within 2's scariest enemy, Anima, stands out, as it tasks players with evading a relentless and invincible foe. Anima appeared at random and could attack Sebastian in any location except for safe houses, keeping fans on edge at all times for fear of being caught and instantly killed by the terrifying figure. She also appeared during scripted events in various chapters before finally going away in Chapter 11.
Anima's role within the narrative of The Evil Within 2 also stands out, as her quasi-physical presence in Union is tied to the psychological degradation experienced by individuals connected to STEM. In-game files describe that those who begin to degrade will first hear her humming and singing before she manifests visibly to her victims, exclusively, draining them of their souls. In Sebastian's case, Anima is tied to his time inside Ruben Victoriano's STEM and personal failures in the original title's Beacon. However, Sebastian is able to overcome these feelings, moving past the trauma, after which STEM's domination of his mind is interrupted and Anima disappears.
Alan Wake 2's Dark Place Should Take Inspiration from The Evil Within 2's Anima
The Evil Within 2's Union and Alan Wake 2's Dark Place share a parallel structure, both trapping their protagonists in a world of nightmarish creatures that feed on their sanity. As such, Alan Wake 2 could look to The Evil Within 2 for inspiration in crafting a truly terrifying enemy. Anima provided players with near-constant anxiety, as the invincible pursuer could appear at any moment. In The Dark Place's nightmarish New York City, an enemy like this could prove especially effective, as abandoned subway tunnels and tight commercial spaces would offer few places to hide.
Alan Wake 2's upcoming release is sure to deliver a new level of terror to longtime fans, and many of its top scares are sure to result from the player's exploration of The Dark Place. While Remedy Entertainment has kept many of the title's enemies a secret, the inclusion of an invincible pursuer could provide a unique challenge. Perhaps a physical manifestation of the original Alan Wake's main antagonist, the Dark Presence, could act as this enemy, with Alan seeking to avoid it as he makes his escape. Fans eager to discover the unique horrors of Alan Wake 2 have very little time to wait, as the title is set to release late next month.
Alan Wake 2 releases October 27, 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.