Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsNo—you do not need to play Alan Wake before Alan Wake 2. Remedy says the sequel is designed as a standalone experience, so newcomers can follow it without knowing the first game. Playing the original adds backstory and makes more returning characters, lore, and connections recognizable. If you want the context without playing through the first game, Remedy also offers an official “Previously on” recap.
What playing the first Alan Wake adds
The original game introduces writer Alan Wake, his wife Alice, and the supernatural Dark Presence. After Alice is taken, Alan writes a horror story that can affect reality. He fights the Taken, finds a way to write an ending that defeats the Dark Presence, rescues Alice, and becomes trapped in the Dark Place.
Alan Wake 2 continues that story through two journeys: FBI profiler Saga Anderson investigates ritualistic murders in Bright Falls, while Alan tries to escape the nightmare reality. Knowing the first game helps you recognize the history and lore behind those events. Remedy nevertheless says that prior knowledge is not required to enjoy or understand the sequel.
Choose how much background you want
| Route | What you get | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Start Alan Wake 2 now | Immediate entry into the sequel; Remedy says newcomers can enjoy it without prior story knowledge. | Some returning lore and references will have less context. |
| Play Alan Wake first | A fuller, interactive introduction to Alan, Alice, Bright Falls, and the Dark Place. | Requires playing another full game; Remedy’s FAQ does not give a completion-time estimate. |
| Watch Remedy’s “Previously on” recap | A shorter catch-up on the first game’s setup and ending, linked from Remedy’s FAQ. | It is a summary rather than the full interactive story. |
Is Alan Wake Remastered a good place to start?
If you choose to play the original, Remedy says Alan Wake Remastered includes the first game and its The Signal and The Writer expansions. It is an optional way to get the backstory before starting the sequel, not a requirement.
#1 Best Overall
- Solve a Deadly Mystery: What begins as a small-town murder investigation rapidly spirals into a nightmare journey. Uncover the source of the supernatural darkness in this psychological horror story filled with intense suspense and unexpected twists.
- Play As Two Characters: Experience both Alan Wake’s and Saga Anderson’s stories and see events unfold from different perspectives. Switch between Anderson’s life-or-death race to solve the case and Wake’s desperate attempts to rewrite his reality to escape the depths of the Dark Place.
- Explore Two Worlds: Experience two beautiful yet terrifying worlds, each with its own rich cast of characters and deadly threats. Discover majestic landscapes of Cauldron Lake in the Pacific Northwest and the idyllic towns of Bright Falls and Watery. Contrasting sharply, attempt to escape the nightmarish cityscape of the Dark Place.
- Survive With Light: With limited resources, take on powerful supernatural enemies in desperate close-combat situations. It takes more than just a gun to survive: light is the ultimate weapon in the fight against the darkness and will be your refuge when enemies threaten to overwhelm you.
- The physical version of Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition includes the following: ● Alan Wake 2 physical game. ● The Night Springs and Lake House expansions. ● Deluxe Edition cosmetics and items: Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga, Crimson Windbreaker for Saga, Celebrity Suit for Alan, Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan, and Lantern Charm for Saga. ● Alan Wake Remastered (Digital Edition - included as a gift with purchase DLC on a voucher).
Do you need to play Control first?
No. Remedy describes Control and its AWE expansion as optional. They add context to the connected universe for interested fans, but they are not prerequisites for Alan Wake 2.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to get Remedy’s recap and guidance
Remedy’s official Alan Wake 2 FAQ addresses whether the first game is necessary and links to the “Previously on” video. For its statement on the remaster and included expansions, see Remedy’s Alan Wake Remastered page. Remedy Creative Director Sam Lake has also said that earlier games are not required to fully enjoy Alan Wake 2, though they add to its backstory; his statement is available via Remedy. PlayStation’s interview with Remedy also discusses the sequel’s accessibility to newcomers.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- COMPLETE COLLECTOR’S EDITION (PS5) – Includes Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 5, Expansion Pass (Night Springs & Lake House), plus Alan Wake Remastered download code for the full saga.
- EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIBLE ITEMS – Features a light-up Angel Lamp, 160-page hardcover art book, enamel pin set, Oceanview Hotel keychain, and premium embossed slipcover.
- BONUS IN-GAME COSMETICS – Unlock unique content including Saga’s Nordic shotgun skin & Crimson Windbreaker, plus Alan’s Celebrity Suit, Parliament Shotgun skin, and Lantern Charm.
- DUAL-PROTAGONIST EXPERIENCE – Play as FBI agent Saga Anderson and writer Alan Wake in a gripping narrative across two interconnected realities.
- IMMERSIVE SURVIVAL HORROR – Battle supernatural darkness using light as your weapon, explore eerie environments, and uncover a mystery filled with suspense and twists.
Rank #3
Rank #2
- Just For Games video game
- Color: Multicolor
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 17 x 1.5 cm
- Reference: S71010427
- If what you want is quality at the best price do not keep looking!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
