Alan Wake 2 - Deluxe Edition (PS5)

Die stärkere der beiden Erweiterungen präsentiert sich als lohnendes neues "Mini-Control" und fesselt drei bis vier spannende Stunden hindurch mit einer interessanten Geschichte und einigen fordernden Kämpfen.

Alan Wake 2 wird Fans von den Spielen von Remedy Entertainment großteils überzeugen und ist mitunter eines der besten Spiele des Jahres, was die Atmosphäre angeht. Abseits davon leidet das Spiel unter enormen Pacing-Problemen, ärgerlichen Framerate-Einbrüchen und gravierenden Problemen im Actionbereich sowie der Navigation.

Alan Wake 2 tut das Unmögliche und findet einen Weg, diese Geschichte spannend fortsetzen. Optisch und in Sachen Ideenreichtum das beeindruckendste Spiel des Jahres.

This return to Alan Wake's horror roots feels a little lacking compared to the main game, but its examination of AI and art's relationship with science arguably hides its most daring meta commentary yet.

In its quest to be the most meta game ever made, Alan Wake 2 becomes a spectacle about writers and writing that badly needs an editor.

Just as it gives equal screen time to its two protagonists, Alan Wake 2 is a fine blend of equal parts narrative and survival horror. Both aspects are brought together in brilliant fashion to create a game that is going to mess with your head, scare the hell out of you and make you grin about it as you plunge forward once more, eager to see what's next.

Pros Terrific visuals that continue the Control style. The story is constantly engaging wtihout any notable down sections. Live-action/FMV stuff is once perfectly once again. Weighty combat that makes every encounter feel fresh. Cons Incredibly easy to get lost in the forest sections, even with the game’s maps. Being forced to reload the flashlight when it needs batteries is annoying.

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.

I am narratively satisfied with the events of the game and enthusiastically welcome Saga into the world. But actually playing the game, navigating the world, and avoiding combat is where I stumbled. I was eager to see the next cutscene, but gameplay often fell short, and I fought more bugs than Taken enemies. For longtime Remedy fans and those who want to see what happens next for Alan Wake, the sequel is a success, but making it to the end includes unnecessary hurdles.