Alan Wake 2 dodges the first game’s biggest problem

Alan Wake 2 guarantees to be a reasonably totally different recreation from its predecessor, and that’s a very good factor. Whereas the ambiance and setting of the unique Alan Wake in 2010 was actually ominous and surreal, it’s held again by a relatively clunky fight system. Thankfully, the transfer to a extra pure survival horror game with Alan Wake 2 ensures that this gained’t be the case once more, one thing developer Treatment confirms with PCGamesN at Gamescom 2023.

Treatment’s capability for fight has actually improved over time – whereas Quantum Break and Management don’t essentially break new floor, they each ship very strong, pleasurable action-first capturing with some neat skills. However that pacing would really feel relatively at odds with the general tone of Alan Wake – a lot because it did again in 2010. Whereas the dynamic of weakening the Taken along with your flashlight to open them up for assault was a enjoyable idea, the general pacing of fight detracted from the expertise greater than including to it.

Sam Lake, artistic director at Treatment, tells us in an interview at Gamescom that the staff tried to make Alan Wake 2 many times however solely succeeded now, one thing he’s glad of due to the ultimate product they’ve ended up creating. Alan Wake 2 director Kyle Rowley provides that the staff was intent on making a extra “cohesive bundle” than the primary recreation, and which means extra give attention to pure survival horror.

The gameplay we get to see comes from an early part of the sport, in line with Rowley, marking the primary actual time Alan himself faces fight. “So we’re nonetheless onboarding lots of mechanics,” he explains, “relaxation assured there will probably be a problem ramp-up as you’re taking part in by means of the expertise.” Nonetheless, there’s actually much less fight on present than the primary recreation, and it seems that a lot of it may be averted for those who’re cautious.

“It’s additionally value saying, it’s a really story-focused expertise,” Lake provides. “We additionally need gamers who will not be so expert in horror video games or fight general to have the ability to benefit from the story.” He confirms the presence of various problem modes to help on this endeavor, together with a narrative mode to make issues simpler, whereas those that wish to really feel the strain can go for one thing harder.

If you’d like extra to maintain you busy within the run-up to the Alan Wake 2 release date, we’ve obtained a group of the very best single-player games to maintain you greater than glad.

Gamescom 2023 reporting supplied by Ed Smith.