Highlights

  • Alan Wake 2 has been a surprising standout in the gaming world this year, with its double-protagonist approach and focus on survival horror setting it apart from other releases.
  • The addition of Saga Anderson to the story adds layers of mystery and her calm personality contrasts nicely with Alan's frazzled state, creating compelling gameplay dynamics.
  • While the game and characters are gripping, there is a missed opportunity with the Safe Rooms and Shoeboxes that could have added even more depth and connection between Alan and Saga, enhancing the double protagonist gameplay.

In a year that has been filled with high-profile releases, Alan Wake 2 has been one of the biggest surprises of 2023. A treasure trove of anticipated titles has been dropped this year, making 2023 one of the best years in gaming history. With such great games releasing this year, like Tears of the Kingdom and Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2 has been the wonderfully surprising black sheep of the group.

Although Alan Wake 2 still embraces the overall energy of the first game, it flips the first game on its head by not only focusing more on survival horror, but also by using a double-protagonist approach that makes Alan Wake 2 even more compelling than its predecessor. The addition of Saga Anderson to Alan's story gives the game more layers of mystery, and her calm and cool personality is a nice contrast to Alan's frazzled state. However, as gripping as the game and characters are, there is still a missed opportunity regarding the game's Safe Rooms that could add another layer to the stellar double protagonist gameplay.

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Alan Wake 2's Safe Rooms Missed a Chance to Connect Alan and Saga Even More

One of the most important resources found in Alan Wake 2 is the Safe Rooms. Throughout the game, Safe Rooms are where players can save their progress and also get a nice breather from the game's eerie, and oftentimes intense, atmosphere. One of the main features found in these Safe Rooms are Shoeboxes, which players use to store excess items taking up space in their inventory. Although these Shoeboxes are good ways to manage one's inventory, they are also a missed opportunity for bringing the double protagonist gameplay to new heights.

Once players progress enough through the story, the game gives the option to switch between Alan and Saga via the Janitor's Bucket that is found in some Safe Rooms. This is one of the most fun ways Alan Wake 2 embraces the weird, but a similar feature could be added to Shoeboxes, specifically for items. A fun way to make the game even weirder could be to allow Alan and Saga to pick up items that each character has left in the Shoebox.

Being able to share an inventory in this way would make for some interesting ways to strategize between the characters. Something Alan leaves in a Shoebox could be greatly useful to Saga, and vice versa. Utilizing the Shoebox in this way would also add a deeper layer to Saga and Alan's connection. Alan Wake 2 pulling off a dual narrative is one of the most fascinating parts of playing the game, and Remedy could have gone even harder with an additional Shoebox mechanic. The game is already mind-bending enough as it is, but Remedy has really been treading deeper and deeper into cosmic weirdness, so it seems surprising that the studio didn't showcase the Shoebox in a stranger way.

After an already incredible year of gaming, Alan Wake 2 has helped end the year on a high note, and even though the game has the recipe to become one of the top horror games of all time, there are still small details Remedy can add in order to take the game to its apex. Alan Wake 2 still has many unanswered questions, and that could either mean those questions will be answered in other Remedy titles or with a third Alan Wake game. Whichever path Remedy chooses to take, giving a bigger meaning to Shoeboxes would be an interesting way to connect a future dual narrative.