The Unmatched 15-Minute Sequence in Alan Wake 2 Surpasses All Other Video Games

Image: Remedy Entertainment/Epic Games

Mike Mahardy
leads game objection and curation at Polygon as elderly editor, testimonials. He has actually been covering enjoyment properly for greater than ten years.

To state that Alan Wake 2 hooked me initially would certainly be an exaggeration. The survival-horror masterpiece was gripping, unique, and scary from the 2nd Remedy Entertainment offered me control of a nude guy that had actually simply crept out of a superordinary lake and discovered himself shed in the timbers and pursued by a maniacal cult. But one series, a little bit greater than midway with the tale, persuaded me that I was absolutely playing a game for the ages.

[Ed. Note: Spoilers follow for Alan’s storyline in the “We Sing” part of the “Initiation” chapter.]

After getting the capacity to easily switch in between the parallel (and sometimes converging) stories of FBI representative Saga Anderson and the titular author, I decided to stick to the previous for concerning 4 hours. I like its assemblage of feelings from True Detective’s initial period, Twin Peaks, Resident Evil 4, and procedurals such as Mindhunter, and even Mare of Easttown. What’s much more, Saga is as engaging personality as I’ve seen all year, with a propensity for stylish discussion and a borderline superhuman instinct. She’s cool as heck, and I didn’t intend to leave the scary Pacific Northwest communities of Bright Falls or the bordering Watery.

However, at a particular factor, it proded me that there was generally a entire 2nd video clip game I wasn’t playing. And upon going back to Alan’s “reality” in the Dark Place, a horrible replica of New York City, I was shocked to discover myself back in the environment-friendly area for In Between with Mr. Door, the talk program where Alan’s tale started. Looping situations that alter each time you take a trip with them is an usual style in all of Remedy’s games, so I wasn’t surprised, in itself — that is, up until I obtained drawn right into the environment-friendly area’s television and got in a full-on interactive rock opera.

Yes! You heard me exceptionally right! “We Sing,” a component that happens a little bit greater than midway with Alan’s “Initiation” phase, jobs you with taking a trip (and combating) with a labyrinthine series of hallways lined with gigantic displays on which the host Mr. Door (David Harewood)Poets of the Fall (the Finnish band called The Old Gods of Asgard in this collection), Alan himself, and goddam Sam Lake all do a live-action dancing number with a variety of back-up professional dancers readied to a Finnish steel ballad. Linger also long in one area (I wouldn’t criticize you — I’m rather sure the series caused an acid-trip recall for me) and Lake and the artists will happily aim you to the following area.

Image: Remedy Entertainment/Epic Games using Polygon

Here’s the point, though: The track is unreasonably excellent. Harewood has vocal singing chops. Lake can relocation. Guitarist Olli Tukiainen does what seems like a two-minute guitar solo that thaws his Flying V guitar while you thaw Taken opponents with your newfound flare weapon. “Show me the champion of the Light,” the Poets yell, “I’ll show you the herald of the Darkness.” Fuck yeah, I believed to myself, as I was evading the candid end of a Taken’s hammer. Video games guideline.

I think I shouldn’t be shocked: Control’s Ashtray Maze, that game’s most referenced series, was likewise a rainbow venture with fantastic degree layout, readied to a Poets track, no much less. Really, “We Sing” is component and parcel with Remedy’s continuous outstanding craft.

Alan Wake 2 is teeming with minutes I won’t quickly neglect. It’s a Lynchian ode to scary of all kinds, with engaging Metroidvania facets and challenges that much surpass those of Resident Evil 4. It’s likewise taking large swings with its Mind Place technician, and the really truth that you can swap between Saga and Alan at almost any point in the game. But “We Sing” amazed me in manner ins which nothing else video clip game has in 2023. Given sufficient time and range (when I really tear myself far from this game, whenever that may be), I presume it will certainly stick to me for years to find.

 

Source: Polygon