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Alan Wake Remastered is an easier recommendation for newcomers than for people who already own the original. It bundles the main story with both expansions and improves the presentation, but it keeps the original gameplay—including some of its dated frustrations. If you are deciding whether to buy it, the key questions are whether you want the story and expansions, which platform you will use, and whether you qualify for an upgrade from an existing copy.
What Alan Wake Remastered includes
Alan Wake is a cinematic action thriller about writer Alan Wake and his wife, Alice, who visit the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls. When Alice disappears, Alan encounters pages from a horror story he does not remember writing—and events from those pages begin to unfold. Its episodic structure builds a mystery through cliffhangers and bursts of combat.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Alan Wake Remastered - PlayStation 5 | $83.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $37.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection - PlayStation 5 | $29.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Demon's Souls - PlayStation 5 | $39.45 | Buy on Amazon |
Combat pairs firearms with a flashlight that weakens supernatural enemies before Alan can damage them. The remaster contains the main game and both story expansions, The Signal and The Writer. Remedy also added an audio commentary track featuring lead writer and creative director Sam Lake.
Alan Wake Remastered pros and cons at a glance
| Pros | Cons and caveats |
|---|---|
| The main game and both expansions are included. | Gameplay is intentionally unchanged; it is not a remake or combat redesign. |
| Updated visuals, environments, character models, effects, and cutscenes modernize the presentation. | Some original design frustrations remain, including Alan tiring while running. |
| The mystery, atmosphere, and episodic storytelling can appeal to players who have not played the original. | Existing owners may find the improvements too modest to justify buying the game again. |
| It is available across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. | Resolution and frame-rate targets differ by platform; the published targets are not guarantees for every scene. |
| The Epic Games Store PC version has current features including HDR in version 1.33. | PC support is DX12-only and does not include ray tracing, according to Epic’s technical details. |
What the remaster improves—and what it leaves alone
Presentation upgrades
Remedy describes enhanced 4K visuals, updated environments and cutscenes, and improvements to character models and effects. The goal was to preserve the game’s identity while raising its visual quality; Sam Lake described that aim in the PlayStation Blog announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Complete Package: All DLCs, remastered visuals, new developer commentary.
- Now on PlayStation: A vast new audience that’s been demanding Alan Wake for years.
- Proven Quality: A much-loved cult classic with an 83 Metacritic score and over 5 million copies sold to date.
The added Sam Lake commentary offers context on the game’s creation. It is a useful extra for players interested in the story’s development, but it does not change the campaign itself.
Original gameplay, for better or worse
Remedy’s official FAQ says, “We have not touched the gameplay.” That makes the remaster’s strengths and weaknesses easier to judge: the distinctive flashlight-and-firearm combat and episodic pacing remain, as do the original design’s rougher edges. Remedy specifically notes that Alan still has limited running stamina.
If you want a remake with redesigned combat or a substantial change to how the game plays, this is not that. If you want the original experience with presentation upgrades and the expansions included, the unchanged design may be exactly what you expect.
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- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
Is Alan Wake Remastered worth it?
If you are new to the series
It is a strong entry point if you want the original story: the complete package includes both expansions, and the upgraded presentation and commentary add context without replacing the underlying game. Expect a story-led action thriller with recurring combat rather than a modernized redesign.
If you already own the original
The case for another purchase is narrower. The upgrades are mainly visual and presentational, while the gameplay remains the same. Epic Games Store’s review summaries reflect that split: Game Informer’s Andrew Reiner rated it 8/10 and called it worthwhile to revisit, while IGN’s Tristan Ogilvie rated it 7/10 and characterized the upgrade as fairly inessential for existing fans. Those are individual critics’ views, not a guarantee of how any player will value the changes.
If you are buying for atmosphere or story
The mystery, supernatural setting, and episodic structure are central strengths. The Epic Games Store reproduces GameSpot’s 8/10 review summary, which praises the atmosphere, storytelling, and combat. These judgments are subjective; they help describe the game’s appeal, not predict whether its pacing or combat will suit you.
Rank #3
- Seek your fortune and leave your mark on the map in the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection.
- Uncover the thrilling cinematic storytelling and the largest blockbuster action set pieces in the UNCHARTED franchise
- Delivered by award winning developer Naughty Dog, the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes the two critically-acclaimed UNCHARTED 4: A Thief's End and UNCHARTED: The Lost Legacy.
- Each story is filled with laughs, drama, high octane combat, and a sense of wonder - remastered to be even more immersive.
- Live the adventure like never before with the features and incredible speed of the PlayStation 5 console.
Platform targets and PC features
Epic Games Support lists the following console targets. They describe output and target performance, not a promise that every scene holds the stated frame rate. PC details reflect the Epic Games Store version; Remedy’s February 26, 2026 version 1.33 notes apply to that PC release, not to console versions.
| Platform | Published target or feature | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | 1440p render resolution, 2160p/4K output, 60 fps target, 4x MSAA | Documented 4K-output, 60 fps target. |
| Xbox Series X | 1440p render resolution, 2160p/4K output, 60 fps target, 4x MSAA | Same documented target class as PS5. |
| Xbox Series S | 1080p render and output, 60 fps target | Lower resolution target than Series X. |
| PlayStation 4 | 1080p, 30 fps | Base PS4 target. |
| PlayStation 4 Pro | Performance: 1080p/60 fps; Quality: 1296p render to 4K output/30 fps | Choose between a higher frame-rate target and higher-resolution output. |
| Xbox One | 900p, 30 fps | Lowest listed console output target in this comparison. |
| Xbox One X | Performance: 1080p/60 fps; Quality: 1440p render to 4K output/30 fps | Performance and Quality modes trade frame rate for output resolution. |
| PC (Epic Games Store) | 4K and unlocked frame rate; DX12 only; DLSS and 21:9 support; no ray tracing | Version 1.33 raises the frame-rate cap from 200 to 240 fps and adds HDR. |
| Nintendo Switch | Supported; resolution and frame-rate targets not stated | Do not assume the targets listed for other consoles apply. |
Sources: Epic Games Support technical details, Remedy’s FAQ, and Remedy’s version 1.33 notes.
PC requirements
The Epic Games Store lists these Windows requirements. Check the live listing before purchase in case they change.
Rank #4
- Discover where the journey began - Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up. All presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance, this is the world of Boletaria as you have never seen it before.
- Become the Slayer of Demons - Venture to the northern kingdom of Boletaria – a once prosperous land of knights, now beset with unspeakable creatures and ravenous demons. Meet strange characters, unhinged and twisted by the world around them, and unravel the unsettling story of Demon’s Souls.
- Face the world’s greatest warriors in ferocious PVP combat - With online invasions adding to the danger of your quest. Or play cooperatively by summoning allies to aid in your fight against the demons. Active PS Plus subscription required for online multiplayer.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core i5-3340 equivalent | Core i7-3770 equivalent |
| Graphics | GTX 960 or AMD equivalent, 2 GB VRAM | GTX 1060 or AMD equivalent, 4 GB VRAM |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
The Epic listing also requires an Epic ID. Remedy’s version 1.33 patch notes, dated February 26, 2026, add HDR and fixes for the Epic Games Store PC version. This later update supersedes the older FAQ’s launch-era statement that the game lacked HDR on PC.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you upgrade from a PS4 or Xbox One copy?
PlayStation
Remedy says a PS4 purchase provides access to the PS5 version, including a PS4 disc route. PlayStation’s store listing specifies that a disc owner must insert the disc to download or play the PS5 digital version. A PS4 disc cannot be used for this upgrade on a PS5 Digital Edition console.
Xbox
Remedy says the Xbox version supports Smart Delivery and that an Xbox One disc can receive an Xbox Series X|S digital upgrade. Check the applicable platform terms when purchasing, as upgrade eligibility depends on the copy and hardware you own.
Quick Recap
How to decide
- Choose it if: you have not played the game, want the main story and both expansions together, or value the updated presentation and commentary.
- Think twice if: you own the original and mainly want a new gameplay experience, or you know the original combat and pacing do not appeal to you.
- Compare platforms if: frame rate and resolution matter to you. Use the target for your specific console above rather than assuming all versions are equivalent.
- Check the PC listing if: you need to confirm hardware compatibility, or want to verify current patch and storefront details before buying.
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.
