Capcom’s Resident Evil series is easily the best-selling survival horror franchise, even though some entries ventured a bit too much into the action genre. So, if you were to take inspiration for a survival horror game, the least you can do is to take inspiration from the grand daddy of them all.
This is exactly what Remedy Entertainment has done with Alan Wake 2, as revealed by its director, Kyle Rowley, as spotted by GamesRadar.
In a recent interview with Edge (Issue 388), Rowley explained how the team took inspiration from this series, particularly regarding camera perspectives. But Rowley’s team wasn’t merely duplicating Resident Evil’s success. Its aim was to craft an experience where players felt “more vulnerable,” with adversaries who seemed “more physical and dangerous” and environments that radiated a claustrophobic aura.
The original Alan Wake made its debut in 2010, introducing players to a narrative-driven game featuring Alan Wake, a novelist navigating through the mysteries of his own fiction as the dark tale he penned begins to manifest in real life. As a character, Wake’s very design and the nature of his story seemed to be an homage to iconic writers and their work. It’s a sentiment further solidified by the game’s opening sequence, marked with a Stephen King quote that the legendary author himself licensed for a mere dollar.
This October, after 13 years, the gaming world will finally see the continuation of Wake’s eerie journey with Alan Wake 2. With all the hype building up, a pressing question looms for dedicated fans and curious newcomers alike: What can we expect from the sequel?
A considerable part of the answer to that question lies in an unexpected direction: the Resident Evil series. Notoriously recognized for its heart-pounding moments, eerie atmospheres, and a persistent sensation of vulnerability, Capcom’s Resident Evil series stands as a monumental name in the survival horror game genre.
These revelations might raise eyebrows. After all, while Alan Wake flirted with horror elements, it was a narrative-driven thriller. How does this transformation into survival horror sit with long-term fans of the franchise? It warrants a healthy level of skepticism, noting the inherent gameplay differences between Alan Wake and the likes of Resident Evil. Where Resident Evil places immense emphasis on resource management, meticulous map-checking, and its intricate puzzle-solving, the original Alan Wake didn’t venture as deeply into these mechanics.
Will Alan Wake 2 seamlessly bridge this gap or present an entirely new formula? At this point, we’ll have to wait to find out.
However, it isn’t just the Capcom series that the developers of Alan Wake 2 are drawing inspiration from. The previous interviews have highlighted nods to greats like Stephen King and David Lynch in shaping the narrative. Players will also have the chance to switch between characters – from Alan Wake to FBI Agent Saga Anderson. Both characters will offer unique perspectives and reactions to the terror they confront, further deepening the game’s narrative and emotional reach.
But amidst the excitement, Remedy should proceed with caution. The next few months is bustling with big AAA titles. Releasing Alan Wake 2 during this time might overshadow its brilliance, drawing parallels to how the original title’s release was eclipsed by other game giants like Red Dead Redemption, which the studio has since cheekily acknowledged.
With the gaming industry’s increasing tilt toward digital over physical releases, will Alan Wake 2 carve its niche, or will it be lost in the whirlwind?
For those new to the series, jumping into the sequel without experiencing the original might seem daunting. However, both developers and critics alike suggest that while it’s not mandatory, playing the remastered version of the original might offer a richer understanding of the sequel.
As the countdown to the release ticks down, fans are left with plenty of questions. Will Alan Wake 2 honor the series’ roots while pushing boundaries in gameplay and storytelling? Or will the game be a fusion experiment that misses its mark? Only time will unveil the full picture, but one thing is clear: in merging the eerie literary world of Wake with the daunting survival mechanisms inspired by iconic games, Alan Wake 2 promises an experience unlike any other.
