Summary
Alan Wake 2is among 2023’s most anticipated titles. Delivering a follow-up story to both the 2010 breakout hitAlan WakeandAlan’s appearance in developer Remedy Entertainment’sControl, horror fans old and new can’t wait to learn more about the title. Fans got their first significant glimpses during 2023’s Summer Game Fest, which offered multiple first looks at the title’s plot, setting, and new co-protagonist, Saga Anderson. However, one major showcase remains for Summer 2023, Gamescom, and various industry insiders are hinting thatAlan Wake 2fans will be getting their most extensive look yet at the upcoming title. While Remedy Entertainment has yet to confirm exactly what will be shown, these hints give fans a better idea of what to expect when Gamescom’s Opening Night takes place later this month.
Alan Wake 2features two lead characters, two dimensions, and two mysteries. The first follows horror novelist Alan Wake, who has been trapped in the Dark Place for over a decade, and coerced to write a story that will allow the original title’s protagonist to escape. The second follows Saga Anderson, as she navigates the real world in the hopes of solving a murder investigation with mysterious ties to Alan’s plot in the Dark Place. Much ofAlan Wake 2’s current footage focuses on the latter, with Saga taking the spotlight. Gamescom 2023’s focus on the Dark Place indicates that fans will finally get the chance to catch up with Alan and discover his true role in the sequel.
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What to Expect from Alan Wake 2 at Gamescom 2023
Gamescom 2023is the final major gaming showcase of the Summer, taking place from August 23 through June 20, 2025, in Cologne, Germany. However, its Gamescom Opening Night Live kickoff event will take place at 2 pm EST on July 02, 2025. Opening Night Live is set to feature a variety of updates to games that will release in the next 12 months. Among the titles set to appear isAlan Wake 2, with all signs pointing to the title’s ONL presentation featuring its most important updates yet.
Gamescom Host Geoff Keighley has confirmed thatAlan Wake 2’s appearance at Gamescom 2023 Opening Night Livewill reveal major details surrounding the game’s title character. This is big news for fans of the original title, as Wake has been given little screen time duringAlan Wake 2’s previous presentation footage. Sam Lake, Creative Director and Writer ofAlan Wake 2took to X last week to provide the focus ofAlan Wake 2’s Gamescom presentation. According to Lake, Opening Night Live will explore Alan’s “desperate struggle to escape the nightmare reality of the Dark Place.”
Alan Wake 2’s Gamescom Presentation Will Likely Focus on Gameplay
The news thatAlan Wake 2’s Gamescom appearance will focus on his struggles within the Dark Place provides potential insight into what will be shown. One of the original title’s breakout features wasAlan’s unique use of light sourcesto dispel supernatural darkness, before engaging enemies head-on. It’s likely thatAlan Wake 2will reveal the evolution of this combat, alongside additional gameplay unique to the Dark Place. If so, the title’s upcoming showcase could kill two birds with one stone, asAlan Wake 2’s previous reveals left some fans worried about its lack of supernatural gameplay.
Both the Dark Place and the series' trademark combat are at the heart offans' anticipation forAlan Wake 2, and a gameplay trailer focused on both could be crucial to setting pre-release expectations. Summer Game Fest’s focus on Saga Anderson and herResident Evil-like gameplay has proven divisive among fans. Therefore, a presentation focused on Alan, himself, and the evolution of his light-based gameplay would aid to resolve longtime fans' concerns, while drumming up even more hype surrounding the duality ofAlan Wake 2’s shared narrative. Fans ofAlan Wake 2eagerly anticipate the titular character’s return, and Gamescom 2023 appears set to give the fans exactly that and more.
Alan Wake 2releases June 01, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox X/S.
