After more than a decade, Alan Wake has finally been remastered for modern consoles. PlayStation owners are particularly happy because it is the first time the game is available on a Sony console. This remaster is more than just a simple port, too.
A host of changes and improvements come with the new release, all of which are detailed below. Alan Wake is an old game from two generations ago, but its unique story and connection to Remedy's more recent title, Control, make it more than worth playing for anybody who likes narrative-driven video games. These changes make it a better time than ever to jump in.
8 The Product Placement Is Gone
The original release had some pretty infamous product placement from Energizer. They were the batteries Alan collected for his trusty flashlight. It was funny because the batteries only lasted several seconds when the light is concentrated, making it not exactly a ringing endorsement of their lifespan.
In the remaster, any mention of Energizer is gone in exchange for a generic brand disconnected from any real company. Fortunately, all the licensed music is intact from the original release, an element that significantly contributes to the game's mood and atmosphere.
7 60 Frames Per Second
On the Xbox 360, most games targeted 30 frames per second and most were lucky if they actually hit that mark consistently. These days, most bigger titles are confidently hitting 30 and even offering locked 60 frames per second in exchange for a lower resolution.
Being an older game, Alan Wake easily hits 60 frames per second for a smooth experience from start to finish. Though 30 frames is closer to the cinematic 24 frames per second all films use, a higher frame rate in video games helps it run smoother and more heavily immerse players into the world.
6 Visual Fidelity
The visuals have seen a general upgrade and the higher resolution lets players see Brightfalls as clear as ever. Some assets were completely remade and the cutscenes were also redone.
However, the cutscenes still play at 30 frames per second where the rest of the game is at 60. There was also new motion capture done in the cinematics in some instances. Despite all these improvements, Alan Wake still very much looks as good as players may have remembered it.
5 Haptic Feedback And Adaptive Triggers For The PS5
Not only do PS5 owners get to play this game for the first time on a Sony console, but this version also has an exclusive feature. Alan Wake Remastered takes advantage of the DualSense's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
The implementation is fairly subtle. This is not the developer's first use of Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, since Control's release on PS5 uses them as well to great effect.
4 Different UI
Along with the graphics, the UI also sees a slight overhaul. It is extremely subtle and almost impossible to notice if one is not looking at the game side by side.
Because the resolution is increased over the original, the hud also has to be redone to make it readable. Everything is bigger and easier to read. It was never too complicated in the first place, but the improvement is welcome nonetheless.
3 Alan Wake's Character Model Is Changed
Everything received a visual upgrade, including the character models. The protagonist's look receives such a major revision, it deserves its own entry. Alan's new look is more than just an upgrade; his face looks entirely different.
In the remaster, he looks more like Ilkka Villi, the actor who plays Alan in the live-action segments. This is not to be confused with Matthew Porretta, the actor who voices Alan in the game and also plays Dr. Darling in Control.
2 QR Codes
True to the mystery and secrecy of Alan Wake and Remedy's recent works, there is a strange easter egg added to the remaster. There are QR codes spread throughout the campaign. Scan them on the phone and it pops up a youtube video of Alan at a typewriter reading out pages of his manuscript.
These are all from 2019's Control. The PC release of Alan Wake also had QR codes, but they led to different places such as the game's Facebook page or a gif of writer Sam Lake on a tv show. QR codes were completely absent from the original Xbox 360 release, however.
1 New Developer Commentaries
Alan Wake already came with a developer commentary when it first came out in 2010. For the remaster, developer Remedy was kind enough to add an additional developer commentary. Games rarely give players such an in-depth glimpse into a game's development and the story behind it.
In Alan Wake Remastered, players can experience it twice over with the old commentary and a new one. It is a real treat for longtime fans. Other games that have had great insight into its development through commentary include The Orange Box, The Secret of Monkey Island re-releases, and Metal Gear Solid 4.
Alan Wake Remastered is out now for PlayStation, Xbox, And PC