Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteChoose Alan Wake 2 first if you want survival horror, a psychological mystery, and two protagonists moving through parallel realities. Choose Control first if supernatural action-adventure, ability-driven combat, and an explorable, unpredictable world sound more appealing. Remedy connects the franchises, but its official descriptions do not make either game a required prerequisite for the other.
At a glance: which game fits you?
| If you want… | Start with… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Survival horror and a dual-protagonist mystery | Alan Wake 2 | Remedy describes it as survival horror, following Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson across two realities. Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 page |
| Paranormal action-adventure and supernatural abilities | Control | Remedy highlights supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts, reactive environments, and a deep, unpredictable world. Remedy’s Control page |
| A first step into Remedy’s shared world | Either | The franchises are linked through the Remedy Connected Universe, but the official material does not prescribe a mandatory order. Remedy Connected Universe |
| Play on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch | Control | Remedy lists those platforms for Control, with Switch offered as a cloud version. Alan Wake 2’s official listing is Epic Games Store for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Check your local store for compatibility and current availability. Control platforms; Alan Wake 2 platforms |
Choose Alan Wake 2 for horror and a parallel mystery
Alan Wake 2 is the clearer pick if you want a horror-first experience. Its premise pairs writer Alan Wake with FBI agent Saga Anderson: Saga investigates murders in Bright Falls while Alan tries to escape the Dark Place. Remedy’s own short description sums up the structure as “Two realities. Two hero characters. One horror story that wants them dead.” Remedy’s game page; Remedy’s story announcement
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Alan Wake - Xbox 360 | $27.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Alan Wake Remastered - XBX | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Just For Games Alan Wake | $20.53 | Buy on Amazon |
That setup makes Alan Wake 2 the natural choice if you are drawn to unsettling atmosphere, psychological storytelling, and a mystery told through two connected journeys. Sam Lake, the game’s Creative Director and Lead Writer, described it as “an intense story and a layered mystery that takes players on two disturbing journeys, running in parallel and echoing each other in strange and unexpected ways.” Remedy’s announcement
Choose Control for supernatural action and exploration
Control begins with you as the new Director of a secretive agency invaded by an otherworldly threat. Remedy classifies it as a supernatural third-person action-adventure and emphasizes a combination of supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts, and reactive environments. Remedy’s Control page
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- From Remedy, the masters of cinematic action, comes a 3rd person action game filled with overwhelming odds
- Alan Wake is like a tightly paced thriller TV series, offering endless twists and cliffhangers, and building up to an epic conclusion.
- Light is your greatest weapon and only protection as dark¬ness takes over everything and everyone, and turns them against you.
- Episodic narrative
- Suspenseful and gripping storyline
Start here if the appeal is using abilities in combat and exploring an unpredictable world rather than beginning with a game Remedy labels survival horror. Remedy’s description establishes those mechanics and its genre framing; it is not an independent comparison of difficulty, pacing, or overall quality.
Does the Remedy Connected Universe mean you need to play one first?
No required order is established in Remedy’s official material. The company describes Control and Alan Wake as connected franchises, so playing both can add context to the wider shared world, but that connection alone does not make either one a prerequisite. Choose your first game by genre preference; both were designed to have a distinct premise of their own. Remedy Connected Universe
Rank #2
- Intensiver Kampf, bei dem mehr als nur Kugeln erforderlich sind, um die Dunkelheit zu verbannen!
- Schwächt ‘The Taken’ mit Licht, bevor ihr sie endgültig fertigstellt
- Verwenden Sie Lichter in der Umgebung als Inseln der Sicherheit in einer Welt, in der Dunkelheit tödlich ist
- Finden Sie Manuskriptseiten aus einem Roman Wake kann sich nicht daran erinnern, geschrieben zu haben
- Reise durch eine visuell beeindruckende und furchterregende Version des pazifischen Nordwestens, mit neu überarbeiteter visueller Wiedergabetreue, die ein klassisches Spiel auf neue Plattformen und Spieler bringt
Check platforms before choosing
Platform availability can settle the choice if you play on an older console. Remedy lists Control for PC, PS4, Xbox One, a Nintendo Switch cloud version, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Alan Wake 2’s official page lists PC through Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. These are Remedy’s listed platforms, not a guarantee of local store availability or device compatibility; check the relevant storefront for your region and edition. Control platforms; Alan Wake 2 platforms
Release dates do not create a required play order
Control was released in 2019 and Alan Wake 2 in 2023, according to Remedy. Control is therefore the earlier game, but the release-year difference does not establish that you must play it first. If your priority is shared-world context, you can start with either based on the experience you want; if your priority is the horror story, start with Alan Wake 2. Control; Alan Wake 2
Rank #3
- PEGI Rating: Ages _ 16 _ and _ Over
- Platform: Windows 7
- Editor: Just For Games
- Release Date: 2012-03-09
What sales figures can—and cannot—tell you
In company-reported historical figures, Remedy said Alan Wake 2 reached 1 million units by the end of December 2023 and 1.3 million as of early February 2024. In the same 2024 reporting, Remedy said Control had sold over 4 million units since its 2019 release. These dated sales figures are not current totals or a measure of which game is better. Remedy’s 2023 business review, published in 2024
Where CONTROL Resonant fits
CONTROL Resonant is a separate sequel to Control, not one of the two games in this choice. Remedy’s current page identifies it as out now and lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC through Steam and Epic Games Store, and GeForce NOW; Mac via Steam and the App Store is described as following later in 2026. That franchise update does not change the choice between Alan Wake 2 and Control. Remedy’s CONTROL Resonant page
Quick Recap
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.
