Alan Wake 2 Features Two Playable Protagonists

Remedy Entertainment has confirmed that Alan Wake 2 will be coming to PC and consoles this October, and with a new trailer, recently offered a first look at its gameplay. In an official FAQ published shortly afterward, the developer has also offered new details on the survival horror sequel’s story.

As the recent trailer suggested, Alan Wake 2 will feature two playable protagonists. The titular, tortured writer is, of course, coming back, and will find himself “trapped in a nightmare prison beyond our world” where he “writes a dark story to shape reality in a desperate bid to escape.”

“Hunted by an insatiable horror, Wake struggles to retain his sanity and beat the devil at his own game,” Remedy says.

Wake will be joined by a second protagonist- FBI agent Saga Anderson, a profiler “with a reputation for solving unsolvable cases” who arrives in Bright Falls amidst her investigation of “a string of ritualistic murders.” Interestingly enough, during the investigation, she discovers the pages of a horror novel that, creepily enough, begins to come true.

As you might imagine, the paths of the two protagonists will intersect in some fascinating ways. Remedy says: “Anderson and Wake, two heroes on two desperate journeys. Two separate realities connected in ways neither of them can understand. Echoes become reflections. Reflections that can reach out to each other.​ Trapped in a horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?”

The developer has also said that though Alan Wake 2 obviously serves as a sequel, it will still be a standalone experience. “Newcomers can enjoy the thrill-ride with no past knowledge of the previous game. For the returning fans there are tons of lore and connections to be discovered,” Remedy writes.

Similarly, though there will be some ties to the Remedy Connected Universe, it won’t be required reading. On the topic of whether or not players will need to play Control or its AWE expansion to understand Alan Wake 2’s story, the studio says, “No, you do not. However, for fans who are into the universe of Alan Wake, it’s definitely recommended, but it’s completely optional.”

In a separately published message, writer and creative director Sam Lake says, “We have two very different worlds to explore, two parallel stories to follow, and two playable hero characters: Alan Wake, our tortured writer of course, but also a new Remedy hero, FBI Agent Saga Anderson, a profiler with a reputation for solving impossible cases with uncanny leaps of logic. I’m excited and eager for you to get to know Saga. Our two heroes are very different from each other yet connected in multiple unexpected ways. They are both critical parts of this story and experience. Saga is a newcomer when it comes to the supernatural lore in Alan Wake’s world, and thus a perfect point-of-view character to lead new players into the Remedy universe, but also offers so much depth for returning fans into this new mystery.”

Remedy has also confirmed that Alan Wake 2 will get two paid expansions following its release, in addition to free updates.

Alan Wake 2 is due out on October 17 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It will be a digital-only release.