Alan Wake 2: Tips to get you started

Alan Wake 2 isn’t the easiest game to get into. It features that classic Remedy weirdness, and it continues a plot that is more complex than most.

The game explains most things, but you may still have some questions. This guide will show you how to optimize your Alan Wake 2 playtime, as well as how to make the most of both Saga and Alan.

Brush up on your Remedy Connected Universe knowledge

According to Remedy, you don’t have to play Alan Wake to enjoy the sequel. My advice is to play it. Although you’ll enjoy Alan Wake 2 without prior experience with the franchise, there is a ton more you’ll appreciate if you do.

You should also play Control, though this isn’t as important as the first Alan Wake game. Both games are part of the Remedy Connected Universe. You see the two franchises interact in Alan Wake 2. Playing Max Payne is optional, as it’ll help you catch a few Easter eggs, but it is not part of the RCU.

Select the right difficulty setting

Alan Wake 2 features three difficulty settings that you can change at any time. Story mode is the easiest. Enemies are less aggressive and it takes fewer bullets to kill them. This is the best difficulty if you aren’t experienced with third-person action-adventure games, or if you’re more interested in the story than the gameplay.

Normal is the balanced difficulty, and the one Remedy recommends. Enemies are tough, but not impossible to kill. You’ll also be able to take a few hits before you go down. The Hard difficulty is good if you want a challenge but be warned that enemies become very spongy, which can be frustrating.

Surviving combat

In most combat situations, you’re dealing with the Taken. These beings are covered with dark shadows that protect them from your bullets. Therefore, you have to shine your flashlight on them first. To keep your flashlight running, you have to keep a good supply of batteries on you. You find ammo and batteries in cooler boxes, trunks, and red tin boxes on lamp posts.

Your items are kept in your inventory which has limited space that is split into blocks. Ensure you regularly check your inventory to ensure there’s no junk in there.

If you need to escape from enemies, look for light. The Taken can’t follow you into the light, and it’ll give you a chance to take a breather. Most of the time, the Taken defeat you by surrounding and overwhelming you. Prevent this by not staying in one place for too long.

During combat, it’s not easy to open your inventory and grab items out of there. To avoid this situation, assign some of your most used items to a shortcut. Just open up your inventory, select the item you want to favorite, and then press Quick Slot.

What to do if you’re stuck

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself lost and with no idea of what to do next. In such a situation, the first thing to do is check your goals. You can view these in your Writer’s Room/Mind Place, or by pressing triangle on PS5.

Still stuck? Head to your Writer’s Room or Mind Place. With Alan, you’ll usually get more information by visiting the Plot Board and seeing whether there are any elements you can change in your scene.

When playing as Saga, looking at her case files will reveal new information which can open up additional dialog options or objectives. Lastly, you may need to use Alan’s Angel Torch to grab light and change the environment. This will sometimes show you a new pathway to take.

Alan Wake 2 has many twists, turns, and unexpected moments. Take the game slowly, savor the experience, and remember that the light will always protect you from the darkness.