Alan Wake 2’s boldest moment doesn't even involve a single button press

Some mild spoilers for Alan Wake 2 ahead. Alan Wake 2 is a game full of confident moments that reject pre-conceived notions of how certain genres should play out, something which is increasingly rarer in the AAA games space. After all, one of the game's best moments (which almost got cut) is something many would argue shouldn't be anywhere near a survival horror game, but I wouldn't change it for the world - those that have played know exactly what I mean. Yet somehow, the thing I find boldest of all isn't anything to do with the traditonal gameplay. That honour belongs to an entire arthouse short film Remedy decides to throw at you right near the end of the game. Alan Wake 2's film and TV influences are no secret, it wears its love of shows like Twin Peaks on its sleeve. But the sequel has leant into that affection even more, incorporating a lot of live action elements that add to the overall surreal quality of it all. The game plays a lot with different levels of reality and the live action cutscenes can occasionally come across as separate realities themselves. After all, David Harewood's Warlin Door only appears in the live action moments, something that only adds to the mystery surrounding him. Read more