With any video game sequel comes the question of whether you need to play the first game. In this case, you’re probably wondering whether you need to play Alan Wake before Alan Wake 2.
How much of Alan Wake 2 is a connected sequel and a stand-alone experience? We’ll answer these pressing questions below.
Should you finish Alan Wake to understand Alan Wake 2?
Fortunately, it seems like you do not need to play Alan Wake before jumping into Alan Wake 2. This is according to the Alan Wake 2 FAQ, so right from Remedy Entertainment themselves. While Alan Wake 2 is a sequel to the 13-year-old original, it also serves as a stand-alone game for any newcomers.
There are a lot of questions that come with jumping into Alan Wake 2, such as what the best order to play the story is. Luckily, Remedy has all the answers. As someone who never played the original myself, and went into the first few chapters without knowing anything from the previous game, I can definitely say that you don’t need to play the first game.
Related: Can you play Alan Wake 2 on the Steam Deck?
It’s definitely helpful to have the knowledge from the previous entry, or to watch a recap video, but it’s not required. The good thing is that for fans of the original, there’s lore that you’ll connect with and understand. Both new and old fans can enjoy Alan Wake 2 just as equally.
If you’re nervous coming into this sequel with no previous knowledge, don’t worry. The game starts you off as Saga, and Saga is just as new to Bright Falls as you may be. The tutorials guided me along easily, and while the lore at first was a little confusing, I started to understand the story more as I played.
For fans of Remedy’s Control, you also don’t need to experience that before Alan Wake 2. The FAQ does say that fans of Alan Wake should play Control and the AWE expansion, but it’s not necessary in the slightest.
Alan Wake 2 is available on the Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
