Alan Wake 2: How the Mind Place and Writer’s Room work

In Alan Wake 2, you have two protagonists whose stories intertwine but have slightly different gameplay. Alan Wake is a horror writer whose life turns into a horror story, while Saga Anderson is an FBI agent investigating cult murders in Bright Falls.

When playing as Alan, you gain access to a Writer’s Room where he can work on his manuscript and piece together the plot. Saga has a Mind Place where she analyzes her clues and attempts to solve her case. This guide will teach you how to make the most of each room.

Alan Wake and his Writer’s Room

In Alan’s Writer’s Room, you have your maps. The game isn’t open-world, though you will be exploring areas large enough to get lost in. Peering at the maps can sometimes give you a clue regarding where you should head next.

The Plot Board is one of the coolest features of Alan Wake 2. Here, you can work on piecing together Alan’s manuscript. Sometimes, Alan will visit different places to find inspiration. By adding different plot elements to scenes, you can enter a different plotline, which changes the environment.

The Words of Power are also very interesting. As you explore the world, you’ll occasionally find yellow arrows if you shine your flashlight. Follow the arrows and you’ll locate a Word of Power. Back in your Writer’s Room, your Words of Power can be used to upgrade Alan’s stats.

Saga Anderson and her Mind Place

Saga’s Mind Place is exactly what you’d expect a detective’s inner world to be like. Here, you’ll find your maps which you’ll use as you investigate different areas. You’ll also have a Case Board, and this is probably where you’ll spend most of your time.

The Case Board is where the clues you’ve collected are pinned up. When you’ve gathered new clues, you’ll have to analyze the board and see where they fit in. You’re not dealing with a simple mystery, so you’ll have multiple case files to work through.

To help you with your investigations, you also have Profiles of important individuals. Check these out regularly, as new additions to the Profiles sometimes give you additional dialog options. Lastly, there’s a television and radio (which Alan also has). Use these when you want to enjoy some of the media you’ve collected.

It has been a long 13 years waiting for the sequel, but Remedy has made sure it is worth it. With its eccentric blend of horror and absurdism, you’re guaranteed an experience unlike any other.