We’re inching up on that time again. The spooky season of Halloween. If you’re Target and Lowes, well, you’ve been there since early August (which is a little awkward, mind you). But it is what it is. In some ways, gaming has taken over movies as the go-to jump scare experience. The Alan Wake series is a big reason. Alan Wake 2 is the highly anticipated sequel that continues down a treacherously chilling path that’s perfect for your Halloween season.
If you want thrills, chills, and a lot of jump scares, Alan Wake 2 is your game.
What This Psychological Horror Game is About
Alan Wake is a best selling author who is trapped in a nightmare reality where is stories come to life.
The game is set in the eerie town of Brighton Falls. Fortunately for us, Brighton Falls is a made up town.
Alan desperately desires escaping this dark place as he’s been trapped in it for a decade’s worth of time. There’s some influences throughout the experience, including Stephen King and David Lynch.
Oh, and if you’re sensing some thematic similarities to the 1990s thriller movie, Misery, you aren’t far off. In Misery, author Paul Sheldon is held captive by an obsessive fan who forces him to write while she beats his legs, among other terrifying acts. In a way, Alan Wake is trapped by his own creations in the same way as Sheldon.
You can cut Alan Wake 2’s tension like butter. You’re always on the edge of your seat.
Gameplay involves a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense combat, where players must fend off enemies known as “Taken” using light-based weapons like flashlights and flares. The narrative is fragmented and layered, requiring players to piece together the story from manuscripts, environmental clues, and dialogue. The game also introduces a second playable character, an FBI agent named Saga Anderson, who is investigating a series of ritualistic murders in Bright Falls, further intertwining her fate with Alan’s.
The deep sense of isolation, psychological torment, blur the lines between reality and fiction for Wake throughout the experience.
Graphics and Sounds
Fog drenched abandoned buildings are a staple of Brighton Falls’ visual experiences. There’ a deep contrast between light and dark, always making for unsettling shadows. The characters are highly realistic in designs and offer up facial expressions that lure you into the terror deeper.
The sound in Alan Wake 2 is equally impressive. Whether it be rustling of leaves, distant footsteps, or creepy whispers, you’ll always feel isolated and in danger of a jump scare. The games score is outright haunting with its low tones and sudden sharp notes.
Conclusion
Alan Wake 2 is a masterfully crafted horror experience that seamlessly blends stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and a compelling, psychological narrative. Whether you’re a fan of the original or new to the series, this game is sure to provide the perfect thrills for the Halloween season.