I just finished Alan Wake 2 and the 3 episodes of the DLCs. Alan Wake 2 is a literal masterpiece in my opinion, the gameplay was similar to its first game but refined, the story dark, mood, mysterious and weird. I also loved the references to the other games. Like Ahti. The ending of Alan Wake 2 made me wonder and sad (I won’t mention it to avoid spoilers).
The 3 DLCs made me immensely hyped up though - they were weird and like a love-letters to their fan-base of all three games. Spoiler tagged, don’t open if you have not played the DLCs (you have been warned);
spoiler
In the second episode you play as Jesse Faden and try to find your brother, this is basically a teaser for its sequel which was confirmed by the developers. The ending twist of this episode! I can’t wait for the sequel. The third episode its a love letter and possible teaser to Quantum Break. I genuinely hope, they do make a sequel of that one too.
I was not certain how much, I could write without spoilers therefore it might be a little underwhelming or not much.
I assume they’re planning a second DLC for Alan Wake and I will get that one as well. In the meantime, I will take a little break and then replay Quantum Break and Control.
I’m currently playing The Final Draft. Totally agree, I think AW2 is a masterpiece and has sold me as a big fan of Sam Lake and his work. I liked the first game (and loved Control), but the sequel is a lot more fun than the first gameplay-wise.
Night Springs DLC spoiler
I was a little confused by the three episodes, obviously they’re intended to be other characters (Rose, Jesse, Sheriff Breaker), but apparently they are all just stories written by Wake as attempts to escape the Dark Place prior to AW2. The third episode talks about how all characters have “echoes” and with the multiverse are basically real and canon (even relating to their real-life counterparts). Sam Lake = the Director = Alex Casey = Max Payne, etc - each is as real as the others and they’re tied together by a string. Pretty interesting take, and I like that this episode basically canonizes Max Payne and Quantum Break in the Remedyverse.
After I finish the Final Draft, I will have to play Quantum Break. I think a Max Payne remake is rumored, so hopefully that will see light not long after. I have already played Control and it’s DLCs multiple times and can’t wait for that sequel.
I’m debating to play ‘‘The Final Draft’’. I read its basically the same game but with a slightly more story regard the ending of the game. I did not notice/ know that;
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The three stories were written by Wake to escape prior Alan Wake 2 story. I probably have missed that somehow.
I unfortunately never played any Max Payne games, are they worth to get into?
Yeah if you just finished your first playthrough it might be a little soon for the Final Draft. I beat it a few months ago and just finished the DLC a week or so ago, so I think it’s a good time for me. I bet you could just watch the cutscenes or differences on YouTube though.
I actually haven’t played the Max Payne games, but I’ve heard good things. I think there’s a remake of those rumored, so I’m probably going to wait and go check out Quantum Break next!
The original two Max Payne games are lovely and a favorite of mine to replay every few years or so, personally. They are very straight forward shooters though and can be a little hard at times, but extremely fun.
If you enjoy Sam’s writing, you’d very much enjoy Max Payne 1+2. Experience where it started, as it were.