Alan Wake 2 (XSX|S/PS5/Epic Games Store). Digital only. Gamespot 10.

If you're familiar with the first Alan Wake, you can probably see that this Fortnite experience aims to be a speedy way to get somewhat caught up on the series before the release of Alan Wake 2 next week. Alan Wake: Flashback will be available on the Discover page of Fortnite, or you can manually search for it with the following Island code: 3426-5561-3371.

Epic Games says Alan Wake: Flashback was created in collaboration with Remedy Entertainment, Spiral House, and Zen Creative.

Ritualistic murders in a small town. An FBI agent looking for answers, and a writer looking for an escape from the nightmare he is writing.

Who is the victim, and who is the monster?

Follow the horror story into the dark when Alan Wake 2 launches on October 27th.

Play as the writer, Alan Wake, and the FBI agent, Saga Anderson. Explore two beautiful and terrifying realities, and solve a deadly mystery before it's too late.

Alan Wake 2 is available October 27th on Xbox Series X|S.

Developed by Remedy Entertainment. Published by Epic Games.

Hexx wrote:Wait its still on ps5 right?

twitter.com/RiotRMD/status/1716489231026081805

The idea of what Alan Wake 2 could be has changed so much over the years, but in playing the game, I was reminded of Sam Lake saying how he was so happy that all the previous versions of this game never worked out, and how excited he was that this is the Alan Wake 2 the world has finally received. I have to emphatically agree. The mere existence of an Alan Wake 2 would have, at different points over the years, felt like a minor miracle, but for it to be this one, that feels singular in its achievements, and coming from a studio that refuses to shy away from the paths less traveled, makes Alan Wake 2 a miracle illuminated.

Alan Wake II is a superb survival-horror sequel that makes the cult-classic original seem like little more than a rough first draft by comparison.

Alan Wake 2 is the culmination of all that Remedy has learned over the past 20+ years. It is a triumph in every way and you should play it, now.

While Alan Wake 2 drove me up the wall as I pieced together its fractal story and resisted the urge to succumb to its mind-bending live-action scenes, it continually impressed me. I was genuinely sad as I edged closer to the game's conclusion. I want more of this tantalising cast of characters and ever-so-creepy town… more of this big psychedelic trip that refuses to let you predict where it's going. I can't get enough of this story about the battle between dark and light, good and evil, and the fight to overcome our own protagonist's subconsciousness.

Modern day horror experiences don't get much better than this, and I'm pleased we've got more to come in, at least, two sets of DLC.

Alan Wake 2 is a strange, imaginative, and truly ambitious sequel that never fails to upend your expectations. While some of the bigger concepts presented by Remedy Entertainment lack refinement, a few rough edges don't detract from a consistently confident and startlingly original adventure. You won't find anything else quite like Alan Wake 2 this generation.

Everything, down to the puzzles, feels appropriately placed. That's before even acknowledging the gorgeous cast of actors involved in the project and the truly compelling story that unfolds for Alan as well as Saga, who each gain an interesting presence in Bright Falls and the world beyond. It doesn't feel like the most satisfying combat, and it's rather easy to beat, but this is also exactly what I wanted and more from an Alan Wake sequel. It is also the best original horror game of 2023 by a wide margin, and a damn fine video game overall.

Alan Wake 2 is a sensational sequel that was worth waiting over a decade for. The story of Saga and Alan takes some serious twists and turns on its journey through darkness, and features some of the greatest (and most unexpected) moments of this wonderful year of gaming. Remedy has truly made something special in Alan Wake 2, and I simply wasn't prepared to love it as much as I do.

A peculiar sequel that at times seems to be purposefully undermining the best elements of the original, but it still gets just enough right to please both existing fans and potential newcomers.

While I'm sure there were countless drafts and edits throughout the journey to this point, this Alan Wake II is proof that great things come to those who wait. Like breaking through after a thirteen year stretch of writer's block, I can only imagine the sense of relief in letting this monster of a game loose.

The quality mode uses FSR 2 to hit a 2160p output, with an internal resolution of 1270p. Performance mode again uses FSR 2, but this time with an output of 1440p and an internal resolution of 847p.

In the quality mode, Alan Wake 2 targets 30fps, and generally hits that target. Most gameplay runs perfectly well, with no frame-pacing issues whatsoever, but there are certain specific areas - like the second Saga Anderson mission - that run poorly, with constant sub-30fps performance. Again, there's no big issue in most of the areas you come across, but some environments seem to cause frame-rates to buckle. The performance mode targets 60fps, and actually does a pretty decent job hitting that figure. Most gameplay, especially indoors, runs just fine at 60fps. Again, there are limits though: outdoor areas - particularly the spots that caused us some trouble in the quality mode - often run below 60fps. It's a pretty decent turnout considering the visual quality on display here, but I would like a more consistent 60fps if at all possible via future updates.

From a visual perspective though, Alan Wake 2 is an extraordinary effort. On current-gen consoles, there's not much that can rival the incredible density of detail and fine-grained lighting on display here. That's not to say there aren't issues, and performance does need some additional work, but it's hard to say that Alan Wake 2 is anything other than a superb-looking release. For players who like survival horror, and want to experience some of the best technology deployed so far this generation, it's an easy recommendation.

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Oh wow. It looked absolutely amazing in all the preview material, i'm absolutely delighted to see it is getting a critical reaction that suggests it really is that good!

Edit - Metro 6, but it reads like a 4 tbh

Knoyleo wrote:Sounds great, shame it's only on Epic. Will look forward to it when it comes to Steam and gets heavily discounted.

Really need to go back and check if I ever actually finished the first one. I definitely never played American Nightmare.

rinks wrote:

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Oh wow. It looked absolutely amazing in all the preview material, i'm absolutely delighted to see it is getting a critical reaction that suggests it really is that good!

Edit - Metro 6, but it reads like a 4 tbh

I’m not giving them the clicks, so WTF is their problem?

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:

rinks wrote:

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Oh wow. It looked absolutely amazing in all the preview material, i'm absolutely delighted to see it is getting a critical reaction that suggests it really is that good!

Edit - Metro 6, but it reads like a 4 tbh

I’m not giving them the clicks, so WTF is their problem?

In Short: A peculiar sequel that at times seems to be purposefully undermining the best elements of the original, but it still gets just enough right to please both existing fans and potential newcomers.

Pros: The graphics are great and there’s some clever use of live action footage, even if the traditional cut scenes are predictably cringy. Alan’s powers are interesting, if not fully utilised.

Cons: Everything is so slow and fiddly, while at the same time being a survival horror without any actual horror – unless you count the synthetic-sounding dialogue. Too long and some nasty bugs.

Score: 6/10

Of the circa 20 critical paragraphs, only 2 of them are somewhat positive, and even then it feels begrudging. I get the feeling Metro have an issues with embargoed reviews - they really seem to be putting the boot in at every opportunity.