Not one to rest on its laurels, Remedy Entertainment is already looking forward to its next set of projects, namely, the remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2 and Control 2. The former is a joint collaboration with Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games while the latter is the sequel to one of its most recent outings, which is part of the Remedy Connected Universe.
The Finnish video game developer is hot off the heels of the success of Alan Wake 2, which recently went viral for its PC requirements only to be playable in slightly less powerful machines. Lauded by critics and fans alike for its compelling narrative and immersive gameplay, Alan Wake 2 is expected to get at least two DLCs. However, while a select few of the development team – which, by the way, is relatively small – are off handling that bit of Alan Wake 2, Remedy is reshuffling its employees towards its other endeavors.
Remedy has shared updates with its investors that illuminate the roadmap for their upcoming ventures. Control 2, the sequel to the 2019 third-person shooter that delved into the supernatural and the surreal, remains in the proof-of-concept stage. The developers at Remedy are committed to fleshing out the core elements of Control 2, ensuring that its ambitious plans are well-grounded before proceeding to the next phase of development and scaling up the team. The sequel is envisioned to retain the essence of its predecessor, potentially intensifying its focus on investigation, non-combat puzzles, and its ethereal story sequences. On the other hand, the remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2 have taken the necessary strides to transition into the production readiness stage. This monumental undertaking is set to rejuvenate a pair of classic noir games, aligning them with contemporary standards of gaming. The project harnesses the collective expertise of an exceptionally well-organized team, poised to redefine the style and scope of these venerated titles.
Remedy’s partnership with Rockstar, which previously resulted in the critically acclaimed Max Payne 3, raises intriguing possibilities for the remakes. The synergy between the two gaming powerhouses is anticipated to infuse the Max Payne remakes with a distinct flair, potentially blending Remedy’s original noir comicbook bullet-dodging aesthetic with Rockstar’s nuanced narrative style.
Of course, with the kind of money that Rockstar can and usually throws behind its projects, we’re expecting Remedy to have the finances necessary to give the remakes justice.
Aside from Control 2 and the Max Payne remakes, Remedy’s creative furnace is stoking other promising projects. Case in point, Condor, a cooperative multiplayer spin-off of Control, which has already evolved from the proof-of-concept to the production readiness stage as well. This venture builds on Remedy’s lessons learned from their foray into service-based games, such as the single-player component for CrossfireX. Remedy sees Condor as a game that will captivate its players for years to come. Meanwhile, Vanguard, a mysterious project, is close to completing its proof-of-concept stage, putting it ahead of Control 2 in the pipeline.
Remedy’s creative horizon isn’t confined to the aforementioned alone. In a GQ profile, Remedy’s creative director Sam Lake teased the possibility of a “crazy, huge budget, dark gothic fantasy.” This glimpse into what may be on the docket further cements Remedy’s reputation for crafting narrative-rich and genre-defying experiences.
In a landscape where gaming studios often pivot towards a multi-project model, Remedy Entertainment is emerging as a paragon of this approach. The success of Alan Wake 2, paired with the diverse slate of upcoming titles, heralds a new and exciting era for the studio. Each project, whether it’s the contemplative exploration of the Control follow-up, the nostalgic revival of Max Payne, or the enigmatic allure of Vanguard and Condor, reflects Remedy’s unwavering commitment to delivering groundbreaking gaming experiences.
Coincidentally, another independent and critically acclaimed studio, FromSoftware, is hiring more people to help it with its future projects.
FromSoftware and Remedy serve as reminders that, while Microsoft and Sony might be more than happy to scoop up every “small” studio that’s willing to sell themselves, there are still a couple who’s willing to defy the odds and prefers to work with the big boys instead of joining their elite clubs.
With that said, its track record of critically acclaimed titles and penchant for innovation all but guarantees that fans will have plenty to look forward to this decade.
