Summary
Remedy Entertainment is well-known for including multimedia within its games. Fictional television series specifically go back to theMax Paynegames and continue through its latest titleControl.This aspect often made them stand out more against other similar fare. The additional world-building these in-universe inclusions provide can increase immersion and add a kind of meta layer to the overall experience, making it more memorable for players, andAlan Wake 2could achieve the same. When handled correctly, they can go beyond mere Easter eggs orreferences inAlan Wake 2and other games, and make for a truly unique fictional world that is consistent and engaging, encouraging players to go out of their way to seek them out.
In Remedy’s case, the studio has previously announced its plans for ashared Remedy Connected Universe. This opens up a wealth of possibilities for the continuation of such multimedia elements in its titles going forward. Some have already crossed over and appeared in subsequent games. With the impending release ofAlan Wake 2,there is one particular in-universe element first seen in the originalAlan Wakeand referenced in later material that should make a return in a big way in the sequel.
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Alan Wake 2 Should Have More Of This In-Universe Component
Among the many in-universe items found in Remedy’s games, “Night Springs” is arguably one of the best. Night Springs is aTwilight Zone-inspired series withinthe world ofAlan Wake. Players could find interactable TVs that would play a short episode, and many were often both humorous and unnerving at the same time, matching the tone of the game itself. These are live-action segments, technically disconnected from the plot, but often containing eerie parallels to it. Rendered in black and white and complete with detached narrator and classic twist ending, these condensed versions of the classic science-fiction anthology fit perfectly within the setting and atmosphere.
It’s established inAlan Wakecanon that Alan himself has a history with the Night Springs property, beginning his literary career writing scripts for it before becoming a famous crime-thriller novelist. 2012’sAlan Wake’s American Nightmareis framed entirely as an episode of Night Springs where Alan must use his literary abilities to repeatedly re-write the “correct” version to escape a time loop, very much in the spirit ofTwilight Zonetales. With such a strong connection between Alan and the show,Alan Wake 2has ample reason to include more Night Springs-related portions.
SinceAlan Wake 2has been revealed to contain further live-action sections, it would be quite natural and fitting to have more of these be of the Night Springs show specifically. While they could easily take the form of essentially another collectible like in the first, they could also play a bigger role in the story. GivenAlan Wake’s historywith Night Springs and his profession, there are a few interesting ways it could return in expanded form. For example, instead of passively watching an episode, Alan could be “sucked into” one upon discovering a TV, similar perhaps to the idea ofAmerican Nightmare,but more focused. This could serve to seamlessly merge live-action with gameplay, with Alan finding himself in a version of an episode that is also its own area or level.
It remains uncertain at this point how and to what extent theselive-action segments will play inAlan Wake 2. However, including more installments of Night Springs and tying them more closely to the character and story would be a great way to keep one of the better in-universe elements Remedy has integrated into one of its games.
Alan Wake 2releases June 23, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
