Highlights

  • Alan Wake 2 successfully advances its story and gameplay, making it one of the best horror titles of 2023, but leaves the complex narrative without a conclusive ending.
  • Alan Wake follows Joseph Campbell's theory of The Hero's Journey, with the first game representing departure, the second game representing initiation, and the hypothetical third game would represent return and completion.
  • Based on the series' adherence to The Hero's Journey and its thematic inspirations, Alan Wake 3 is necessary to provide a definitive and fitting conclusion to the series while allowing the character to be integrated into future games in the Remedy Connected Universe.

Warning: Spoilers for Alan Wake 2Alan Wake is a series centering on the turbulent tale of the titular suspense author who, by means of supernatural influences, finds himself in the role of a character in his own works. He becomes trapped both within and outside them, endowed with the ability to affect reality through his writing due to the paranormal setup. As a successful writer, Alan understands the conventions of narrative construction and must use them specifically to thwart an insidious otherworldly monster. This entity threatens to consume reality itself via manipulating artists, and Alan is placed in a position where his literary talents are the only way to prevent this.

After the original 2010 title ended on a cliffhanger, fans had to wait 13 years for the sequel. It's agreed that that time has paid off as reflected in Alan Wake 2's largely positive reception. The second entry delivered on the promise of meaningfully advancing its story and gameplay, resulting in one of the best horror titles of 2023. Though Alan Wake 2 is a triumph in presentation and design, one thing it fails to do is conclusively end its complex twisting narrative.

In keeping with its internal and external literary roots, there is a clear path for Alan Wake to bring its sprawling story to a satisfying and sensible end. ​​​​​

RELATED: Alan Wake 2 Ending Explained

Why Alan Wake Has To Be A Trilogy To Be Complete

alan-wake-2-trophy-guide1Alan Wake’s Story is a Classic Hero’s Journey

Joseph Campbell’s theory of The Hero’s Journey applies wholeheartedly to Alan Wake. For those unfamiliar, this is a respected academic analysis of narratives defining a comprehensive pattern for storytelling of this nature called "the monomyth," and commonly referred to as The Hero’s Journey. This device can be seen throughout all forms of media, from Marvel to anime, and everything in between. Alan Wake is no exception. In terms of Campbell’s framework, the established three-stage cycle would be:

  1. Departure-- Character leaves the familiar behind (Alan Wake)
  2. Initiation-- Character experiences adventures in a different or strange world (Alan Wake 2)
  3. Return--Character has grown, changed, and/or accomplished their goal (hypothetically Alan Wake 3)

There are a myriad of other elements Alan Wake incorporates from Campbell, but those are the major ones. Indeed, Alan Wake uses these exact terms in both games. They are the titles of the trilogy of books Alan is writing as part of his plan, as well as the game's chapter headings. The entire story fits precisely within the confines of The Hero's Journey. Among Alan Wake's many influences, Campbell's legacy looms large. It is a vital component of Alan Wake's overall themes and illuminates the road to its conclusion.

Alan Wake 3 Must Mark the Series’ Final Entry

Alan Wake's creative director and lead writer Sam Lake is clearly familiar with The Hero's Journey. The series namechecks and utilizes its format while directly commenting on the thesis in multiple meta ways. Both Alan Wake games --and the character-- know exactly what they're doing, and have followed the formula beat-by-beat thus far. The story has spiraled outward in lockstep, and the last leg of its journey is set to come full circle.

If it is to adhere to the structure set up by both its own internal logic and, by extension, Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, Remedy is "obligated" to continue down the route prescribed by them and finish Alan Wake in a third and final title.

Given its embrace of and commitment to the above ideas, this is essentially demanded. It would tie the story together in a manner befitting both its thematic inspirations and in-universe arc by conforming as required to them.

Once Alan's tale is complete, the Remedy Connected Universe allows the studio freedom to weave the character into future games, like the in-development Control 2. Alan would perhaps then serve as a mentor or guide figure, as also described by Campbell. In any case, a final entry of Alan Wake 3 is necessary to conclude the series definitively and appropriately.