After a wait of more than a decade, fans of the horror game genre are set to be thrilled with the release of Alan Wake 2, one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the year. The sequel to the popular Alan Wake, developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Epic Games Publishing, is slated for release on October 17, 2023.
Recently, a brief gameplay demo of Alan Wake 2 was showcased during the Summer Games Fest. However, a more extensive demo initially shared privately with the press, has now been leaked online. Although the leaked footage is less than 30 minutes long, it provides a tantalizing glimpse into the new gameplay.
In Alan Wake 2, players will be immersed in a survival horror experience from a third-person perspective. The game’s narrative follows bestselling thriller novelist Alan Wake, trapped in an alternate dimension for 13 years, as he attempts to escape by writing a horror story about an FBI agent named Saga Anderson. Players can choose to play as either Alan Wake or Saga Anderson in two separate single-player stories, in any order they prefer.
The game’s development journey has been a long one. After the release of Alan Wake in 2010, Remedy Entertainment began discussing sequel ideas, with a prototype created to showcase new gameplay mechanics and enemies. However, the project was put on hold due to financial constraints and the development of other games, including Quantum Break and Control.
Despite these challenges, a team at Remedy continued to brainstorm ideas for Alan Wake II, codenamed “Project Big Fish” internally, reflecting its significance to the studio. The game will be powered by Remedy’s own Northlight Engine, which previously powered Quantum Break and Control.
The game, which will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, is confirmed to be a digital-only release, with no physical version planned at this time. While the absence of a retail version is disappointing for fans, Remedy might be able to release a physical version later in collaboration with some limited-run publishers.
