Alan Wake 2 - One Year Later: An Imperfect Masterpiece

[@Trench-coat]

*This video does not have any story spoilers* Do you think Alan Wake 2 is a Masterpiece? Let me know down in the comments ⬇️

[@alien777]

Yeas. Love it soooo much.

[@THAT_GAMING_GUY-2]

The only problem with Alan wake 2 is that it leaves you wanting more 😂

[@Trench-coat]

100%

[@TheGlowingManYT]

The same as the wonderful Twin Peaks

[@NoVACorpsGaming]

@@TheGlowingManYT 7 years waiting after that cliffhanger, I can’t take it anymore

[@Woombi]

You can’t get too much of a good thing, just be happy that we got practically a masterpiece that we can look back on years later. And if this is any consolation they pretty hard set up an Alan wake 3 plot if you have the media literacy to see it. It just depends on if remedy will want to do that by the time they’re finished with control 2, and the max Payne remakes. Also keep in mind they do have plans to sort of remake/revitalize the quantum break ip. So I think maybe after however many years it’ll take to get those four games they possibly would be open to diving back in.

[@CorruptionManX]

Control, in my opinion, is Remedy's best world-building game, with the best gameplay and level design. It was without a doubt the game I enjoyed the most the year it was released.

[@Trench-coat]

I think I need to give it another try. I feel so many people have had more positive experiences with it than me.

[@the.assistant.janitor]

​@@Trench-coat just a small tip: don't run it through, the side missions are the main thing. Also, Control is not just an easter egg game, it is the first Remedy game taking baby steps into RCU, it extends AW1 story and set ups AW2. AW2 on the other hand is the first full RCU game.

[@MrRaulmu]

Best game i've played in the last 10 years. But i am enjoying right now quite a lot with Alan Wake 2. Gameplay not much engaging like the one form COntrol it was, but i love what they have built in Alan Wake also.

[@Cloverfield3749]

The nursing home was such a fun and engaging part. For me - It was the highlight of the game. I just finished the lake house DLC this week and now I'm ready for my "Final Draft" playthrough to get the platinum trophy

[@Trench-coat]

I can’t wait to play the DLC and do a final draft play-through. Just waiting for the PS5 pro to be delivered!

[@joaocardoletto]

It is a masterpiece, indeed. One year later and I can’t stop thinking about it.

[@Trench-coat]

Same… can’t wait to replay it soon!

[@bepkororoti8019]

Alan Wake isn't a horror writer, he writes Max Payne hardboiled detective stories, that's why he's so bad at the execution of the horror story he thinks the dark place requires from him

[@Trench-coat]

Oh that's a fair point... thanks for the correction!

[@littlered6340]

Thank you, I said this at the TV 😂. It's kind of the whole point is that writing horror is something the Dark Presence wants from Alan because that's how it can escape. Ever since the end of the first game, the whole thing Alan has been trying to do is escape WITHOUT inadvertently brining the dark presence with him.

[@ofecsapir1513]

It is a mind blowing jaw dropping masterpiece combining amazing story, with really impressive actors,really fun new mechanics and one of the best visuals I’ve ever seen in a video game to date…

[@guitarriff123]

I’m late to the party, but just gave this game a try after hearing great things. I had no idea what to expect because I’m actually not a huge horror/survival fan. This game is nearly a 10/10. I haven’t played a game that I simply could not put down in forever. The story and gameplay is so unbelievably compelling and captivating. I just wanted more and more. The sound design, graphics, setting, storytelling, puzzles, and level design are nearly perfect. The only critique is the combat, which feels clunky at times.

[@Trench-coat]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s always great to hear from someone who appreciates the artistry behind a game. I totally agree about the combat.

[@metaphoric9479]

Woah. The quality of this video though 🔥 This essay makes me want to play Alan Wake 2 right now. Thanks Trench.

[@NathanDrake224]

I understand that you don’t like jump scares. Personally, I enjoyed them because I felt they were integrated into the story; they never seemed random to me. They always gave me the sense that I was entering enemy territory, like Scratch, the corrupted cops, or Cynthia’s area. Regarding other Remedy games, I found Quantum Break's gameplay excellent, but the level design and setting didn’t appeal to me as much. With Control, the game managed to convince me as I played that the Oldest House actually existed. If you play without worrying too much about reading all the files, completing the side objectives, or trying to understand that universe, the game loses a lot of its appeal. Control has some flaws, as any game does, but in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and immersion, few games reach its level in my opinion. And when you start connecting Control's story with Alan Wake, that’s when everything gets even better.

[@detinu]

I agree with the jump scares. At some point they were extremely unnerving and that was the point I think. The deeper you explore THAT level, the more frequent they get, and then they finally stop, and I remember myself sighing in relief when it was over. Such a masterpiece.

[@Trench-coat]

@@NathanDrake224 I really need to replay Control!

[@BlackZynfyndel]

This is one of my favorite games of all time and I’d never tell anyone it was 10/10. But, it should still be experienced by more people.

[@Trench-coat]

Yeah, its definitely a imperfect masterpiece

[@DerpyDerpums]

It's unreal that it's already been a year

[@Trench-coat]

I know right! Time flies.

[@gameredstarworld9956]

ALAN WAKE 2 IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE FOR ME ON OF THE BEST STORYTELLING GAME EVER

[@Trench-coat]

I agree!

[@k.l.7788]

I agree!

[@littlered6340]

I fully beleive that the jumps scares are actually integrated. Not only are the characters (this including Esteves in the Lake House dlc) actually experiencing them as well, but things are often triggered by them, or they are because you triggered something. While I wouldn't mind an option for people who can't play games with jumps scares to remove them (because I have loads of friends I want to play this game) I don't beleive that they are random, or that they are the only source of reaction from the players. I fact, it makes me feel better when I hear the player character scream at the jump scare 😂

[@Simbolico2024]

Alan Wake 2, like Death Stranding, is such a unique game. You see that Remedy really crafted this game with real love and passion. They even hired artists to compose songs for it, 'cause they didn't want to pick up songs that already exist. Not only that, but they even made live action mix up so perfectly with the gameplay. You don't see these kinda stuff in games nowdays. Sam Lake is just (forgive my language) a motherfucking genius!

[@Trench-coat]

Gotta respect a director with a true vision!

[@k.l.7788]

They also hired a real graffiti artist do all the dark place graffitis. (Grafiti? Grafitti? Graffiti?)

[@freakiq]

The game felt so real, I could almost smell the old lacquered wood in the cabins.

[@Trench-coat]

@@freakiq what a cool way to describe that feeling…

[@sickorust]

you should change the last part of the title to "An Imperfect Masterpiece", sick vid man keep it up

[@Trench-coat]

Done 🙌🏻 thanks for the suggestion

[@meanon4408]

My biggest problem with this game is that while I enjoyed Saga's gameplay more than Alan's, she was emotionless and flat. I don't remember her showing anger, fear, sadness, regret, pain or anything. Considering this is a story driven game it's scandalous. She's dealing with an entirely illogical situation and is deals with it very matter of factly. I've seen NPC's with more layers than Saga. Considering she's by herself for much of the game, she never shows a human side at all. Another thing is Alan Wake and Control are critical to play before this and even Quantum Break to an extent. I don't know how Remedy can honestly say otherwise.

[@Trench-coat]

That’s actually kinda a fair point… Saga responds quite chill to all the the crazy stuff happening around her… 🤣 maybe all the FBI training as made her less emotional.

[@lougubrious9624]

I hated the jump scares. A few hours into my first play through I had to give up. I tried over and over again to get past the jumps but couldn't manage. Thankfully the devs finally put in an option to significantly reduce the effect of the jump scares. It isn't perfect, and I still jumped in my chair more often than I would like, but it was enough to get me through the game. Also make sure you're played the AWC DLC for Control for more Wake info.

[@Trench-coat]

Yeah it feels cheap right? Like the game is scary enough haha

[@MrBlitsBlits]

It is a good game for the reasons mentioned in the video. Here are some criticisms. 1. Alan wake as a character is quite dull. He just repeats things like "I got to get away" or "I need to save her" and things like that. I cannot relate to him. I do not care what happens to him. 2. The dark place is too unpredictable and unknown. It is difficult to create foreshadowing and build up, so that when a plot twist happens, it feels satisfying. Alan is wandering around and it feels meaningless as any progression seems accidental and it can be taken away at any moment for magical reasons. I am indifferent what is in the next play area, because anything can happen there. I cannot anticipate anything so why even care. Nothing matters. It is a bit like in bad newer ending anime shows. No on dies permanently. Everything can be retconned. You can be losing very badly, but then with power of friendship, you win... Alan wake has almost 0 power compared to the dark place. If he wins or loses, it is not because he (me the player) accomplished something. It is because he stumbled to the right place and some more powerful entity decided to help or accidently helped him. So the strategy seems to be that go do random things and roll the dice. Plot Armor will protect you from downside and eventually something good will happen. I did not have a sense of progression. For these (and other) reasons Saga Anderson was much more enjoyable. Did anyone else have some technical difficulties on PC like: 1. Could not pick up items. you see an item, but cannot arrange the camera in a way that the pick up option appears. 2. Inventory management with mouse and keyboard was buggy. It would not always select the item i clicked and would not allow me to move them easily. This made boss fights difficult. If I ran out of my quick select items, it was super difficult to equip new weapons. I thought several times that perhaps I should change to a controller, but newer did. 3. FPS was very low. This got me to buy a new GPU after I finished it.

[@fallb0rn]

Great video for one of my favorite games of all time.

[@Trench-coat]

Appreciate it! Thank you for watching. Have you played the DLC yet?

[@fallb0rn]

@@Trench-coat Ye both 100% 😊 I'm planning on replaying the main game soon. I'm trying to forget as much as possible about the atmosphere before playing haha

[@nothingelse1520]

There is mod on nexus that removes all of the jump scares from the game. I loved Alan Wake 2 but Control is my favorite because I am a sucker for SCP stuff, the SCP meets X-Files vibe of Control is right up my alley

[@Trench-coat]

I am 100% going to replay Control soon.

[@henrykelly1183]

Not sure I agree about the gameplay being dated in Alan Wake 1, it feels responsive and managing spac dodging as well as the light mechanic felt more engaging to me in the first one especially due to the camera. It got very repetitive due to combat heavy focus but I found the combat in 2, while used more sparingly felt a lot more generic to me despite the game being very strong in other areas.

[@Trench-coat]

Totally get what you’re saying! Everyone has their own vibe, and that’s what makes gaming discussions so fun.

[@TooRudeProductions]

As somebody who played the original two games when they came out, I have only two problems with the sequel: Saga's Mind Palace should've just been cut scenes and they should've kept the mini map with the waypoint so we know which way to go and so we can go off the beaten path, look for stuff, and not trigger a cut scene that stops me from going back. I also really don't like what they did with Rose, they changed the actor, made her 10 years younger, and now she's in love with Alan rather than respecting his relationship with his wife. Weird choice.

[@alien777]

She became cynthia weaver. And i hate what they did with her. The Lady of the light, consumed by darkness. I understand it, but still feel heardbroken about it. And it is a stereotyp, but maybe Thomas with is big ego wrote her as a opsessed women to use her to fight the darkness and alan did the same with Rose (alan apsolutly manipulates rose, it is his foult). Witch makes both women more tragic and both guys more cruel.

[@altinislreal]

I really wish they remake the first game to have the mechanics and graphics of the second. that would be so awesome. Not a remaster, a remake.

[@Trench-coat]

That would be incredible. Luckily we have the Max Payne remakes to look forward to.

[@venator9536]

I loved it, just like i did the first game. Yet, theres just something missing with Alan wake 2. Cant quite put my finger on it. Maybe its the ending...

[@Trench-coat]

Interesting... have you played the new alternate ending?

[@venator9536]

@@Trench-coat yeah i did!

[@venator9536]

@@Trench-coat the first game has a certain charm to it, it has a simple story in a complicated world with one ending. A lot of of the mysteries were left open for speculation and people fill in the gaps and that was part of the fun. Alan Wake 2 force you to play it twice to have the true ending, and its not like the game is very short or the gameplay addicting fun. Compared to the first game, a lot of stuff that was added to the story is pretty innovative and interesting, but at times it almost feel like a parody of itself. The game gives you a resolution but also leaves you with new unanswered questions that are just not as impactful as the first game. Weird for the sake of weird, that doesnt relate in a meaningful way to the main events. I do get the remedy-verse thing but i like the first game being in its own bubble

[@Jammsbro1]

I have been playign games for forty years and in that time have seen four games that I would call a masterpiece. Less than ten would even be considered for this list. I am sick of people throwing around the word masterpiece for something they really want to say that they like.

[@Trench-coat]

So just because you don’t think it’s a masterpiece that means it isn’t one for me? Interesting…

[@adyt2775]

What are the four games?

[@diediedie649]

I haven't played a bad Remedy game yet

[@Trench-coat]

Honestly same...

[@crowclaw]

Remedy added Options to reduce Jumpscares in Audio & Visual Intensity. It's the first point under "deactivate tutorials" in the Gameplay Options. The Lake House DLC has the audio jumpscares mixed lower, which resonated well with people who suffer from anxiety. I'm glad that I waited a year for the physical release. Launch had audio desync issues and other growing pains. Also never finished Alan Wake Remaster, uninstalled right after Hartman as it dragged on. Finished American Nightmare though as it's over in a breeze and I clapped when Alan appeared in the flannel later in AW2. I've seen most of Control on YT, including AWE. It's funny to me that Fortnite VBucks paid for AW2 and I genuinly hope that the investment paid of for Epic. The Xbox disk version is kind of a wash, barely containing the main game. Here's hoping that "FBC Firebreak" is just a holdover for Control 2. I would love a silly L4D style coop shooter, if Remedy or their publisher doesn't devolve into Live Service BS.

[@Trench-coat]

I am really looking forward to Control 2! Hope they nail it.

[@romellpoellinetz7435]

I have quantum break but still haven't played it but i have played the other games and love them the first aw not as much but i still enjoyed it

[@Trench-coat]

Quantum break is totally worth checking out imo

[@2Marce2]

Great video, alan wake 2 is really a masterpiece, one of the best games I've ever played

[@Trench-coat]

Thank you for watching! 🙌🏻

[@GuningglaT]

4:46 This is true but Remedy created a universe where Alan Wake and Control are connected in a very good way, and that is more relevant considering the Control DLC in collaboration with Alan Wake and the Alan Wake 2 DLC in collaboration with Control, If you know the saga before playing this game you will enjoy it much more

[@Trench-coat]

Yeah I love how everything is connected and I hope they nail Control 2!

[@brianwallace731]

I bought this at launch but it was backlogged until now. I’m just starting the game now, first impressions is AMAZING!

[@ownzuall]

A masterpiece that releases short DLCs again and again. This was the same with Control, now this.

[@Trench-coat]

I don’t mind short dlc’s because the main game was quite long!

[@officiallucid7879]

Silent hill 2 tops this fs

[@BrayWs]

Idk if it’s just me but the Xbox version of this game is extremely broken‼️like for example the game randomly just closes out randomly and takes me to the dashboard 🤦🏾this is what made me never touch it again

[@Trench-coat]

@@BrayWs sorry to hear about the terrible performance on Xbox. That sucks! It performed great on PlayStation. Worth trying again after all the patches now?

[@BrayWs]

@ I just tried it last week and it’s still doing it 😂I was on the lakeshore part where they play the music and every time the music starts the game just takes me to dashboard so ig I can never beat the game

[@Trench-coat]

@@BrayWs that is so unacceptable! I am so sorry!

[@alexandreleao6689]

the jumpscares are just to keep you on edge and waiste bulets if u let urself be scared by the next random movment by a shadow or smth, the whole point of survial horror is to overcome your fear and retain ur cool to survive, plus i do truly belive they are meant to be corny af is alan wake guys its a musical ffs

[@Trench-coat]

I think it feels cheap when used the whole time

[@TheGlowingManYT]

@@Trench-coatWhen I played AW2 I was surprised how spread out the jumpscares are. People act like there’s tons, over the span of the game there’s really not that many compared to the way people act. They are also to reflect the player characters state of mind at the moment and are still integrated to the story in important ways

[@robbieherndon1592]

5.5/10 for me. Alan Wake 1 & The Evil Within 1 & 2 were way better.

[@Trench-coat]

@@robbieherndon1592 I still need to play Evil Within. Worth it you are would say?

[@robbieherndon1592]

@Trench-coat Both games are lit AF! A trippier Silent Hill type games.

[@Trench-coat]

@@robbieherndon1592 I’ll definitely check them out. Maybe do video on them. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@officiallucid7879]

Its a great game but it shouldnt be so hard

[@Trench-coat]

I completely understand where you're coming from! Sometimes the challenge can be a bit overwhelming, but it definitely adds to the excitement of the game for me

[@zokc1714]

The problem with this game is it’s open ending, also saga was sooooo cringe at the end.

[@BastianRosenmüller]

Great story, amazing visuals and sound, but it fails to be a good game. It would be a great movie but the few moments in this game where you have to play suck. The puzzles are so easy as if they were made for childs, you cant be a detective because everything is presented to you. You dont have to use one brain cell to play this game. Only one way is right , you cant make wrong conclusions. Combat is far inferior to Resident Evil combat. So in the end you dont have anything good gameplay wise. Why dont give the player more agancy? Why dont let me think and be the detective and put the parts to together for myself? Why dont make the few combat encounters great? I really dont understand the hype this " game" is getting, bc all what makes a game "gamy" sucks in this game. But to each their own

[@Trench-coat]

There is definitely a case to be made that Alan Wake 2 is less a game and more an experience. I get what you mean. For me - I can appreciate both. I love gamey games and games that are more of a experience.

[@BastianRosenmüller]

@@Trench-coat yeah sure i mean the most important is that you enjoy the media you are consuming. But as a Game it just cant be called a masterpiece, or game of the year bc simply it isnt really a game, more like a movie. For me 60 dollars to get a somewhat playable movie is not worth it, i could just have watched lets plays of it. But in the end i could have informed me much better about what i am getting. I thought it would be similar to the first Alan Wake which was completely different

[@petemcaleese7648]

Great game but not a clue what the hell the story is about

[@Trench-coat]

Lol 🤣

[@p1ngu1no]

I was a Big fan of remedy until this sequel. It is all a salad of fan service "for modern audiences" but without sany ubstance. There IS nothing I like from this Game apart from the tech and visuals. The Gameplay is baaaad. The exploration IS bad. Too linear. The few puzzles are ridículous. And worst of all the story and characters are baad. I can't even stand that super close 3rd person camera hellblade style. Half of my screen was looking at wake's jacket. No room for "remedy action" . It Iis all baaad.

[@Joe-fq6bz]

To me it just felt like a watered down resident evil 4. Story good, gameplay has been done better.

[@whendarknessfalls6969]

Except RE4 doesn't have a good story.

[@CorruptionManX]

I can’t really feel that the game resembles Resident Evil too much because every third-person shooter horror game will have gameplay similar to Resident Evil. There isn’t much that can be done to change that impression, as this genre has elements that can't be altered much, like scarce items, inventory management, and the close camera angle to limit the player’s view and create more tense moments by increasing the sense of proximity to enemies. When a genre needs certain mechanics to work, it’s natural for the games to be relatively similar. I think Alan Wake 2’s gameplay is much stiffer than Resident Evil’s, and this was done intentionally; in my opinion, it fits the game well.

[@aadipie]

I feel like the base game was an 8 out of 10, night springs a 7, and the lake house a 5. In other words it’s a lot like remedy’s other games, it strives for a lot, accomplishes a decent amount but as a whole it’s rather lacking and feels like a just good to great experience and not much above that. Remedy will seemingly never top what they they accomplished with Max Payne but then again those games are genuine masterpieces.

[@Trench-coat]

Shame to hear that the lake house isn't that good. I am going to try it later in November, would you say it's worth it?

[@michaelrobins3484]

Imo the lake house is much better than night springs. I feel it's more a continuation of the base game unlike night springs and leans on the link to control as well

[@TheGlowingManYT]

I also think Lake House is better than Night Springs, I loved both though. AW2 for me is a 10/10

[@Vidrail]

Lake house is MUCH BETTER then night springs

[@Trench-coat]

@@Vidrail worth playing?

[@iamtrying2690]

No, it's not.

[@Trench-coat]

Ok