Alan Wake Was Deeper Than You Remember

[@federicocrescentini4806]

I like how, at one point of the game, a manuscript page talks about how the dark place feeds on the creativity of artist. The rockers, Alan and Zane needed that dark unconscious to inspire their art as much as the dark place needed them. The game plays a lot with that paradox of "what came first?"

[@dutchvanderlinde2002]

It's implied it was first

[@howardhavardramberg333]

Man, I can’t believe Carl Jung made Alan Wake. What an epic gamer.

[@cybernet343]

The earlier you get familiar with his works, the sooner you realize how influental his ideas were.

[@howardhavardramberg333]

@@cybernet343 dude was way ahead of his time

[@samcherry120]

@@howardhavardramberg333 meh, it's rebranded astrology

[@TheMightyMidget]

​@@samcherry120Nah, Astrology is rebranded Jung.

[@jokermorningstar5816]

he also made persona xD

[@alexiszimmer]

After Alan Wake 2 was announced, i decided to finally play the first one. I couldn't believe how long i sat on this game. Super stoked for the second game.

[@traceyrinaldi4759]

Play Control if you haven't already since it follows up where AW leaves off. Quantum Break touches on Alan a bit too.

[@dutchvanderlinde2002]

@@traceyrinaldi4759 they definitely should check out Control, because Alan Wake is featured heavily in the dlcs. Quantum Break it was more of a teaser of Alan Wake 2 hence why Saga Anderson is also featured

[@alexiszimmer]

@@traceyrinaldi4759 I've played control but not the dlc yet. Really need to get around to doing that.

[@alanmcdonald2650]

​​@@traceyrinaldi4759 just got it on sale on Steam. Never heard of it, but loved Alan Wake and it's DLCs.

[@halofreak6166]

same

[@jeffbriem]

I thought it’s not a lake; it’s an ocean had to do with the relationship of the dark presence with reality. A lake is surrounded by land. An ocean surrounds land. The presence isn’t isolated in the lake, the presence isolates him and he’s adrift in it.

[@Elorius]

Sam Lake actually explained it on reddit a while ago "It’s bigger than a lake. The lake is just a hole to get to the ocean. It’s boundless, our world is just an island in that ocean."

[@mendelevium2768]

That is so cool

[@justcallmeaj4105]

as a massive Stephen King fan (and also being a writer myself), this game was basically tailor made for me. There are so many things to love about it, small details, character interactions but also just ambiance that fully draws you in. I really hope more people give the first game a chance. There is nothing that can keep me from playing part two. I have waited so loooong, I started to feel like the old lady in Titanic.

[@Njin8492]

Interesting, if it's okay with you, can I have a look at some of your works?

[@estebanrodriguez5409]

Somehow, I wish less combat focused levels... the original HAD some quiet parts, not many to be honest. The Twin Peak vibes are really cool, the short miniseries of Alan Wake was also cool.

[@Indianpsychonaut]

This game was actually inspired by the tv show twin peaks

[@LittleAngryCarrots]

It’s got twin peaks/Stephen king and Hp Lovecraft influences. Remedy games is something special with a pretty specific mission and they have my applause (and money) for that

[@Ka-tet84]

Same! I love King and write horror stories too so this game was so special to me. In my top 10 ever.

[@sirownzalotgaming3025]

I thought it said "Lan Wake"

[@carllewis6745]

Same😂

[@nightshadesyrup1624]

SAME!!!

[@truckercowboyed2638]

It's Alan's long lost brother, he's still asleep

[@dadandvideogames]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[@Dunge0n]

Lan Mind.

[@diegosolis9681]

"Alan Wake Was Deeper Than You Remember" Well, of course. It is not a lake, it's an ocean.

[@ZephyrusAsmodeus]

The story was excellent, and that part where you are at the old stage of the Old Gods of Asgard sticks with me all this time after playing the game

[@Kagomai15]

I just played the second half of the game on Thursday and that segment was the most badass thing ever. What a joyful scene! My friend and I were right there with Barry shouting about how awesome the whole thing was 😁

[@Chlocean]

It truly was The Ashtray Maze of AW1

[@ZephyrusAsmodeus]

@@Chlocean Literally just started that game today, looking forward to it

[@Fidozo15]

Why Alan Wake 2 will be a great game: 1. Its Remedy 2. They made Max Payne

[@jumpingman6612]

"There's over 65 billion pigs and chickens in the world!" While swinging an axe at me from nowhere. I almost shit my pants.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

In relation to this, we need to talk about how this relates to the relationship of the Supernal Triangle in Qabbalistic philosophy.

[@BioChemistryWizard]

The primordial void before the universe being mathematics, symbols, words, and objects etc is definitely heavily inspired by Plato and his theory of forms.

[@avennoronha7081]

I knew he wasn't gonna make it thru the video without mentioning synchronicity

[@Maks8008]

Dylan references Alan Wake writing about a NY cop (Alex Casey) who is real in another reality in the form of Max Payne. Name of one of the novels is "The fall of Casey" which is a direct reference to the title of the 2nd game "The fall of Max Payne". I read somewhere that in early production of the Max Payne game his name was actually Alex Casey before they changed it to Max. So with Rockstar having all the publishing rights to Max Payne it makes sense for Remedy to use their early version of that character. With Sam Lake and James McCaffrey reuniting to play Casey in Alan Wake 2 it all but confirms that he is a version of Max Payne.

[@TheBeird]

I like to write stories. Not saying I'm great at it, but the stuff Alan Wake speaks to about how a story takes a life of its own as you create it and you have to have an ebb and flow with it is something I find so true. But the main reason I love Alan Wake? It's so much goddamn fun!

[@easymentality]

Everything already exists. But the ocean only coughs up what we can begin to name.

[@Khan-ig5rx]

In regard to the Jungian Shadow, it's definitely worth checking out the small episode/sequel Alan Wake: American Nightmare. It continues Alan's struggle to write himself out of the dark place, but the adversary is the manifestation of Alan's own Jungian shadow, an "evil" Alan named Mr. Scratch. One of the first television sets you find is a recording of Mr. Scratch mocking Alan for not having the balls to use his fame and fortune to get the things he really wants before he strangles a captive to death "for kicks".

[@FACEHEADD]

It's great to see you shed light upon one of my favorite games ever. I certainly hope Alan Wake 2 gets the support it deserves. Great upload, as usual. Thanks!

[@Lesandira]

I love how much of a love letter to Twin Peaks this game is.

[@Pneubeteube]

Even tho I am a lifelong gamer, I have completed only a handful of games and Alan Wake was one of them. Even now I can distinctly remember sections of that game even tho I only spent probably ten hours playing it in a sea of over ten-thousand hours of gaming

[@jstratton1981]

Again, it's not a lake, it's an ocean. EDIT, for me personally, it was my already established love of Lynch/Twin Peaks that got me hooked into Alan Wake. Bookhouse Boys for life!

[@flak8882]

Can't wait. Alan Wake was such an incredible experience

[@flobbergassy]

I played Alan Wake on PC for the first time about 5 years ago. I was amazed and completely lost in the world of Remedy after that: playing through Max Payne, Control and Quantum Break within a few weeks. I really feel like they transcend video games.

[@sayborgoussawa4424]

Amazing video 🔥🔥 For me... Alan Wake is not just a game... Its story and purpose are very deep and philosophical... This is why I love Alan Wake to the core ❤ I really hope for similar videos about Alan Wake and the world of Remedy. Thanks for this in-depth explanation...

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Even the dev commentary notes its about storytelling

[@Goose683]

never played Alan Wake but I recently picked up the remaster when I saw it was on sale. I think I'm finally gonna dig into it this weekend

[@CHMgamemedic777]

You really made me realize that It was intentional that It felt like I was ''Polaris'' while playing Control, as In I Polaris was taking control of Jesse Faden. Sam Lake has actually created a meta-verse linked to our universe and It's amazing that you've picked up on that. Great video man!

[@zues2013]

My Xbox 360 came with Alan wake Keep in mind I grew up on silent hill Dear god was I not ready for the most immersive and horrific story without there being over done gore or cliche story telling It was haunting and gravitating

[@ThePanchEffect]

Alan wake s american nightmare is quite short game as it is or a long standalone DLC if you will. It mainly depicts one of Alans efforts/story of a twilling-esque tv show, to escape the dark place but the dark presence, lets call it avatar, mr scratch keeps taunting him and plays the role of Alan shadow. Making doubt as while Alan is trapped this shadow Alan is the one back in the real world doing the worst.

[@ExiledAbomination]

I've been waiting on a true sequel to Alan Wake since American nightmare came out. Can't wait to see how it turns out

[@TheOneTrueLevi]

Damn son I need to go back and play Alan Wake. I played it twice when I was like 14, super entertaining game. I never played the dlc but American Nightmare is great too.

[@Lord_Deimos]

A friend told me that Alan Wake's story is nothing special, the same guy tried to convince me that Mass Effect Andromeda has a good story...

[@joewills7582]

Lel

[@s0daapoppin]

Holy shit....I almost don't wanna believe you friend is a real person.

[@megabyte01]

I still remember that first nightmare chapter and knew it was going to be something special!

[@jsjsjjshsjsj5410]

I am watching this video after playing through the entirety of Alan Wake 2 and I have to give you massive props because the ending statements of the video are absolutely on point with what the underlying message of the game is. Bravo

[@vincentshadetree]

Just finished, you told this so amazingly well! Back when the game first came out (It was the first game I got on my Xbox 360) I had a tradition every Sunday with some buddies where the four of us would get together and play Alan Wake. If you died, you passed the controller and let the next person play and so forth. Part of the joy of that story was sharing it with my friends because we talked about what we thought was happening during the story. As someone that is interested in one day being published I can say I was especially drawn to Alan as he was a writer. As I played through I knew I loved the premise of the Dark Presence, but never quite put my finger on what it could represent, until I listened to your video. Thank you for explaining it so well. I would like to have heard a few of your thoughts on the American Nightmare DLC style game that came out for Alan Wake but aside from that perfect video! 😎

[@ThePowerfulOne100]

It's actually got very similar notes to The Outer Wilds when you think about it. Alan Wake being in the dark place and focusing on these words, bringing them into focus and reality is similar to the conscious observer viewing something of infinite possibilities forcing it to collapse into a single possibility.

[@elvishladdy3404]

Never had a chance to play Alan Wake when it released as I didn't have an Xbox, but decided to give it a go once it was remastered to PS4 and I am so glad I did. The game really surprised me with how clever and bizarre it was and it is easily one of the best gaming experiences I have had. Amazing video my dude. And I cannot wait to see what they do in the sequel. Especially after playing all of Control just a few weeks ago.

[@brentloy131]

I recall buying Alan Wake on a whim and playing it at the “party house” every day after work. We called it the party house cause it was a house that we lived in and partied at. Roommates and friends would gather around and watch me play throughout last of us style

[@mitchf1862]

I have such fond memories of this game

[@kanadashyuugo873]

Oh wait, Jung? "It's not an ocean, it's a.. Palace!" "AAAH A TALKING CAT" "I am NOT a cat!"

[@Annatar]

Just started playing it again with my first-timer girlfriend... She's blown away by it ❤

[@Xehanort10]

15:09 Scratch is Alan's shadow in both a figurative and literal sense.

[@SaiScribbles]

Alan Wake is a derpy game that had its pants fall down and fell over right before the finish line of being good. But I love it. The phrase "it's not a lake, it's an ocean" still lives rent free in my head.

[@SaiScribbles]

@@RandoLePerson I got the point, but all the product placement, derpy character animation and Stephen King fanboying is still there.

[@imdefinitelynotjesus]

Now if only we could peak Max’s interest in the way of the samurai franchise. His philosophical itch I’m sure would be continuously scratched if he ever broke the surface.

[@SirEvilestDeath]

It’s not a lake it’s an ocean is a simple concept. It is a realization that the large presence in the dark place is not as big as it seems because it’s connected to far larger presences out there. The dark place is not a small contained lake, it’s part of a massive ocean of similar but different parts. Control made that speculation a fact with how the events of Alan Wakes story is just one doorway connected to many others. One lake connected to the ocean. Confusing if one only played the game once and doesn't question what such a line could mean. Obvious to anyone who’s been exposed to connected universes, drastically expanding stories and concepts or multiverse storytelling. Which, who isn’t by now?

[@Loginv]

I first played Alan wake 4 or 5 years ago and have been a hardcore fan every since. This video really helped piece together some things I didn't quite understand, like the last line in the main game Alan says. Thank you for this, it's spot on

[@KurtCollier]

I had bought Alan Wake over a year ago on sale after really enjoying Control and wanting more. I didn't love it or continue past the first couple hours. After seeing how well pt. 2 was received, I felt the impulse to play that- so I went ahead and played through part 1 since I already had it. I ended up really enjoying part 1 and was glad to have played it through before playing part 2. I do think they did a good enough job with pt.2 that a pt.1 playthrough isn't required, but I think it helps still. My read on the story was that Alan must be the creation of tom. Alan is the "Scratch" version of the first Tom that got out and made a life of his own. Like Alan was a creation of the dark place- using the work and body of Tom to bring new minds back to the lake. His creations and fame would drive interest in his disappearance- which would bring lots of creative and investigatory minds to the lake. like flies to flypaper. Or possibly tom doesn't/never existed except as a dark place phantom to haunt and push Alan- as Toms creations seem to only exist outside the dark place via the shoe-boxes and local lore (storytelling) surrounding the lake.

[@gameakochronicles]

oh yeah that's breaking the 4th wall, Alan Wake struggle 13 years as Sam Lake struggle for 13 years for this game to happen. That's why when you asked Sam Lake about the game his so passionate that he can't wait for us to try the game :) I miss this content about Jung and the Collective Unconscious..

[@darrensteele3365]

I've been a big fan of Remedy since MP1 but not owning an Xbox I'd never played AW. I've spent the last few weeks playing everything I can from this shared universe Remedy have created. All I have left to play is QB. I'm obsessed atm. Super hyped for AW2 and Control 2.

[@MrUmbra-ts6se]

It was “just” a lake at one point. When Alan writes “it’s not a lake, it’s an ocean” he gives Dark Presence access to many other words. And births Remedy-verse. Control is a story that Alan wrote in to existence. By writing stories, Alan is hoping to access/create a world where he is free from the Dark Presence and can live in normal world. Except that it seems that Alan will probably never return to the normal world and regain sense of normality he once had.

[@TheEpicSands]

Max, what the hell was that? >How do I convince new playerbase to play old game? >Spoilers ahead, go play game I mean...

[@dweller132]

Now that you bring up the concept of collective unconscious and it's connection to the Darkness, it makes me think that the Pale from Disco Elysium isn't all too dissimilar from the concept. The difference being that the Pale is described as an unnatural, harmful force that wouldn't exist without humanity, and the Darkness is treated as a natural force that can be bent towards the will of people who are aware of the truth. It just kinda *is* until someone like Tom or Alan come into contact with it and affect reality with it.

[@1plusAidan]

Both great concepts. I love the world building in both universes

[@prestobizmal]

I dont think anyone talks about the muliple levels of artistic influence fusing into one story enough. The original poet, the 60s metal songs telling of the current novelists journey. Ive tried explaining why this works so well to people but im not nearly articulate enough to do so. The soundtrack alone with the metal ballads as stand alone tracks is phenomenal.

[@turbulentzee]

As a musician, this game makes me want to write my way from my own dark place.

[@AmaryInkawult]

I have Alan Wake to thank for sparking my passion for writing. Yes I did have a faint interest in reading and writing stories, but that passion to write meaningful stories that were thought through thoroughly? That didn't come to fruition until the completionist in me collected the Manuscripts and actually listened to the philosophy of the writer Alan Wake is. How archetypes were used and ultimately subverted in the game. The Twists and Hidden Subtexts found in the Manuscripts. Also I fucking adore Barry as a character, he is that friend who you don't want around too much but will fucking die for you at a moment's notice.

[@opsedopsers9874]

I played this game in a day when I was like 10 or 11 home alone just me and a pizza and it's one of my favorite childhood memories

[@WritingGeekNL]

I always had the intention of playing Alan Wake... I'm a survival horror fan, a fan of the freaky-type of mystery horror Alan Wake offers, etc. It got a bit more once Control came out and rumors started on the sequel. Then even more once Alan Wake 2 was announced. Then even more once Alan Wake 2 was reviewed to THAT regard. Final nail for me was the musical performance (at TGA). At that point I was like: Okay, now I have to play it all. And sooner, rather than later. Why I didn't play the first game yet is rather simple, I was close to 10 when the game first came out. It is hard to go back to older games, unless it is a franchise you already played and grew up with. As with me with Metroid, Zelda or Final Fantasy.

[@glitchedpolygons]

6:55 whoaa, good placement of the Half-Life 1 OST

[@Soma2501]

I loved both Alan Wake and Control. I'm hoping to see some more crossover. Any other games or whatever that yall would recommend?

[@JakeTalksGamesYT]

Quantum Break has some aspects of the lore hidden throughout

[@dutchvanderlinde2002]

just those 2 Alan Wake isn't really connected to anything else unless you want to see Easter eggs or teasers

[@Soma2501]

@therealgrayfox almost forgot about it. I watched a playthrough of it and its great. Might play it myself one of these days

[@Spydiggity]

I just started playing through Alan Wake again, in anticipation for the second game, for maybe my 8-10th playthrough. I am in the same boat. I have a very tough time articulating specifically what's so great about it. There are games out there that do certain things better than AW does. The combat in Alan Wake isn't anything special, the voice acting leaves something to be desired, and even after so many playthroughs, I still don't full grasp the story; but for some reason, the way all of the elements come together is very impressive. You are drawn in by the world right from the start, and the end of every chapter gives you that "let's do one more" kind of feeling. It also does that thing that movies do, where you are somehow brought into a sort of dream-like trance as you experience it.

[@andresrodriguez8289]

12:39 Personal experience: My father is taking my in his motorcycle to a restaurant, getting close to the restaurant, my mind show me a image of Kelly (a cousin that I hate so much) my experience told me that is impossible, I need think something relate it to have a small percentage to remember her… on the way I want told that to my father but in that moment I saw her in the street, 5 sec later of that thought of her, I explain him about that experiences, we couldn’t resolve that mystery

[@jawdypus7654]

That is a really great video. I just played trough original Alan Wake and when playing I wasn't even thinking about the story being so deep. This analysis made me think more about the story in game and wanna play other parts as well. Thank you!

[@SNW_Build_a_Picture]

the more vids i watch like this, the more puzzle pices i seem to be able to gather to make a grand picture :)

[@roie255]

The last sentence gave me massive goosebumps. Just one more month !

[@alexandereguis5090]

Love this analysis! Alan Wake is perhaps one of my most favorite games of all time, I remember when I was in my teens playing this and telling my mother who loves Stephen King to watch the opening to the game because of the opening quote. The joy this game brought me was incredible. The soundtrack itself was just as incredible.

[@motasemaudah6829]

Is it me, or that Alan Wake looks like John Wick in that black suit?

[@tomatoslav]

I don't even have to watch the whole video to agree with it .... Alan Wake sent me down a path that no medium could. As an artistic soul, I can't be grateful for it, but I do appreciate it it. It's been tumultuous navigating through the horror of the genre, the philosophy of the mirroring of the experience, the depth of the creativity of such a mind, but it's made me more appreciative of the art form, and forms, that are not respected, and understood, or even recognized as such, that are only taken for granted like it's entertainment. While I might be mistaken ... There is no doubt in my mind that Alan Wake 1 was an archetypal story in it's own right.

[@TOMHICHIBAN]

So did anyone else notice the parallels to persona 4?

[@thewh00ster]

Who’s ”Lan Wake”?

[@fattiger6957]

I recently finished Alan Wake Remaster for the first time (started it about a year ago, but didn't finish then) and I really enjoyed it. The gameplay and animation is a little janky compared to modern games and the driving sections suck big time. But the story and atmosphere is phenomenal. Remedy really seems to love the franchise since they never let it die. They kept it alive with references in Quantum Break and Control (which got a whole DLC based around AW) I really appreciate it when a developer is passionate about what they're making. I'm sure Remedy will take what they learned in Control (which, IMO, had fantastic gameplay) and make Alan Wake 2 even better. Remedy is one of those developers who just seems to get better with every game and they tend to only make games they are passionate about.

[@emapelikanova478]

Yeah, Finnish weird is an unconventional literary genre, I strongly suggest to look into that as well.

[@cjcologne7]

My friend and I got ourselves an XBox over the first lockdown and besides obvious coop fun like Halo and Gears I also got myself a digital copy of Alan Wake because I was always interested in it. What can I say it became an instant all-time favorite of mine and I'm so excited for the sequel.❤

[@origamipapercut4682]

Reminds me a lot of what the Healing Church was trying to do in Bloodborne.

[@DeathTempler]

I got Alan Wake back in 2014. Only played 2 hours because of performance issues on my PC. I'm about to jump back in for a first full playthrough. Think I've put it off long enough.

[@magicman4673]

I played Alan Wake on a whim when it was on game pass. And now? Oh man. I'm invested in seeing how Alan Wake 2 plays out now that Alan's been playing 4D chess with the power of the lake. After all, he wrote the events of Control in motion. Why do you think the Hiss is so similar to the Dark Presence?

[@minioli01]

My answer would be that the game is very good as third person shooter but also that it is like playing a literary masterpiece where there are many themes and double meaning you would usually find in some of the great stories you are asked to analyse in literature class. Thats not something everyone will like but it is a very enjoyable experience if you like thinking on a game.

[@hat3th3hat3r2]

I don't think it resides beneath cauldron lake but cauldron lake is a place where is.....bubbles up. Well where darkness bubbles up, but to me it stands to reason if there are bad places like that than there might be good alternatives as well....

[@halfaxle]

While I don't remember the reason why the name was changed (copyright shenanigans or somthing like that) Alex Casey *is* Max Payne, one of the pages even quoting the game directly

[@powerbelly211]

I don’t want to play as this cop lady. If I get to play a second character I want it to be Barry! If not Barry then Sam lake.

[@editating_2614]

I wouldn't mind playing as the other cop lady from the first one. But yes I agree the actress' statements do scream SJW

[@Raybro16]

I’ve been waiting 12 years for the sequel, I N E E D this game to come out RIGHT THIS FUCKINGG SECOND

[@-pressxtostart-]

How come your comment isnt removed even though you swore, i thought youtube doesnt allow swearing anymore, i get a warning every time i try to post bad words that arent even swearing like id-e- ot, and get them hidden???

[@Raybro16]

@@-pressxtostart- I have no idea "XD

[@dsgdsg9764]

I'd only been subscribed to you for a few months and I've only seen a handful of your videos but this one was my favorite by far Love your work

[@f.s.street1916]

3:55 This game is hard as hell, just finished it. Abviouslly was worth it, but was a hell of a time. I hate spoopy games, but i love them.

[@igodreamer7096]

The new of Alan Wake 2 really felt like a dream-state moment to me. I'm still struggling with the idea, specially because I loved the original game so much! xDDD

[@zaaath]

This video is a materialization of the book I was reading last night... It was a book on Buddhism, specifically Dreams of Light by Andrew Holocek. Apparently, there is a way to experience the subconscious and unconscious first-hand, meaning to have memories of it in the normal everyday state of mind... I wonder if Sam Lake and the whole Remedy crew are into deep meditation and psychedelics.

[@antondavidovic3996]

This makes sense to me. I always figured Alan Wake was about him trying to defeat writer's block, and in order for him to do that he has to dive into the Unconscious where his ability to write great stories lies. Often, when artists create something, they won't know *how* they did it, especially when they try to create something of equal quality again. Its as if the ability slips out of the Conscious. The words materializing when "shining light" on them is him finding the right words to write his book. I always figured that the Dark Place existed below Cauldron Lake specifically because he chose the cabin on the lake so he could isolate himself and finish his next book. His wife getting "kidnapped" is her becoming distant from him in his obsession to write a masterpiece. The "magical" typewriter is just an ordinary typewriter. Once he finishes his book, he will be out of the Dark Place. I'm not sure how much of the events of the game are truly materialized, and how much is simply symbolic of Alan's writing process.

[@Duckman8213]

I love Control. Got the platinum on it twice for PS4 and PS5

[@xCarnageV1]

I've always took the 'It's not a lake, it's an ocean' line to be specifically the Dark Presence using Alan to write that line as a means of manifesting it. Up until then, yes, Cauldron Lake was just a lake. But since the Dark Place can alter the details of reality to manifest a story that's fitting for it, it used Alan at the end of the game to give itself more power. Alan had temporarily stopped it, but at a cost, his having to stay there. The Dark Presence was okay with that, because at this point she can sit Alan down in front of the typewriter and make him write 'It's not a lake, it's an ocean' as a means of giving the Dark Presence more power and reach. You could also argue that the 'ocean' also refers to the Remedyverse at large. Alan's definitely been writing since 2013, to the point that literally every Remedy game could be viewed through the lens of Alan attempting to fashion a story that will benefit him for a future escape. I've always believed Quantum Break to be Alan's attempt at creating time travel to prevent him from ever going to Bright Falls to begin with, but the story got away from him before he could write an ending that would involve himself.

[@grilledleeks6514]

Alan wake was a truly unique story.

[@sk8rboi66]

Playstation plus has it for free this month, i played through it for the first time and fell in love. I didn’t know the people who made it made control.

[@mannyrobles3065]

Get them to play Control; that usually works, at least theyll see the brilliance of the story. The way Control sells their story will let them at least become interested in the universe. Although i played Alan Wake remake before Control. REMEDY'S story telling in Alan Wake made me interested in Control, and Control made me buy AW2. And even though all 3 games play very differently being interested in the lore of it all made me love all 3 of them. But Control will sell it for most gamers, i can see people liking that one more.

[@mohammadjavadmonjezi]

15:07 so what you are suggesting is that the reason why Alan is dealing with The Taken(s) is basically because he has been dealing/suppressing his violent thoughts, both as a writer of crime novels and a human being, for too long and now they have taken a physical form in The Dark Place? hmm🤔 I was just watching an interview Sam Lake did with IGN about Alan Wake 2 and in the interview he said one of his inspirations was the movie Inception; when what you said in this video incorporated with what he said in my mind it got me thinking what if everything Alan is experiencing is all just one [or multiple] nightmare dream[s] and a reflection of his unconscious mind? that certainly would be interesting from both storytelling and psychological point-of-view; the other possiblity would be Alan have been completely gone insane in the result because as its clear in the beginning of AW1 he is dealing with some sort of mental problem, something he seems to be hiding, whether its depression or something worse like some sort of schizophrenia developed as the result of him essentially being in touch with "dark side of his mind and/or imagination" as a writer for too long or have gone too deep within it (I need to point out that I have not played Control so I may very much be wrong, I'm just theorising) p.s: I'm a last-year psychology student and I love the contents you upload, both the heavy psychological knowledge you simplify and share with us through explanation and visualisation And analysing aspects of the games, movies and other types of media that otherwise we very much likely would've missed out on because we are too wrapped up in the experience or just simply can't identify them I'm glad I found your channel because of Silent Hill much love to you and your channel; please keep doing what you do❤️

[@bartdierickx4630]

Loved the story a lot... hated the boring repetitive gameplay. Played it back then. Found the gameplay repetitive and boring. Played the remaster. Found the gameplay repetitive story.

[@MrPeaceGuy54]

The captivating ocean cannot be ignored. Namaste and love from India! 🙏🇮🇳☮️☮️

[@lsobrien]

What makes reality unbearable is our words seemingly do nothing to alter it. All this poetry - all that sound and fury - having no impact. Creatives, especially writers, often feel like they're banging their heads against a concrete wall. The Dark Place reverses that, and is terrifying.

[@ivankundrata3837]

A minor technicality comment, scarabs are rather common in Europe (native from Eastern EU here). Its not that hard to find at all.

[@s.masoodkazemi2748]

I played Alan Wake 6 or 7 years ago. After the announcement of Alan Wake 2, I decided to refresh my memory of the first story and also read and watch anything related. I was surprised by how big the universe and the story of Alan Wake were. I will note some of the other stuff anyone interested in Alan Wake can watch and read: 1 - Bright Falls web series: This short web series is a sequel to Alan Wake. You follow Jak Fischer as he arrives in Bright Falls a few weeks before Alan Wake to interview Dr. Hartman about his new book, but after a few days of staying at Bright Falls, he notices his behavior change and becomes more violent. 2 - The Alan Wake Files Book: There is 144 pages book called The Alan Wake Files which came with the collector's edition of the game that expands the story of Alan Wake by talking about other characters and Alan himself. 3 - Psycho Thriller and Night Springs Comic Books: The story of Psycho Thriller is set after Episode 4 of the game. The Night Springs tells the story of Sara Breaker's father, Frank Breaker that have been familiar with the presence of Dark Side when he was a cop when Thomas Zain lived.

[@jhit2026]

I totally agree. That's why I really like media that brings to light out innate ability to create, cast and make manifest from no thing into some things. To in form into reality

[@MeldrickCz]

Sam Lake...you hack! His games are like unending literature puns and references to literature puns. And I love them. Also being avid consumer of too much SCP articles: "yeah noosphere, duh."

[@vergil1us]

11:42 this moment blew my mind

[@soccerandtrack10]

I reseached archatypes before now,2/3 days before now,and some1 said archatypes arent just people.

[@matthew1002]

It's funny you posted this just shortly after one of the other channels I subscribe to, Liana K, just made a video about this game's themes as well.