Complete Alan Wake 2 guide to help you as Saga and Alan

Our Alan Wake 2 is packed with a useful tips and guidance on pretty much every aspect of the game, from collectibles, puzzles, and weapons, to tips, walkthroughs, and explaining the ending. It's one of the prettiest games of 2023, and is a true technical marvel - we gave it five stars in our Alan Wake 2 review.

However, if you're playing through Alan Wake 2 and find yourself stuck or confused, that's no surprise as its true survival horror leanings mean it's quite different to any of Remedy's previous games, and features a ton of puzzles. Solving them often gets you useful resources too, so it's a good idea to take the time to think them over. Moreover, it's obviously a sequel to 2010's Alan Wake and connects to several other Remedy games, so it can be narratively confusing too. Fortunately, we've got all those bases covered in our complete guide for Alan Wake 2.

Fast Facts: Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 release date and platforms

Release date: October 27, 2023
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

Alan Wake 2 DLC expansions

Alan Wake 2 will receive post-launch content, Remedy has confirmed. Paid expansions will launch from 2024, including 'Night Springs' and 'Lake House', alongside smaller free DLC releases. Remedy has further teased the Alan Wake 2 DLC plans, including one tied to Control. 

Alan Wake 2 is digital-only

In an effort to keep the Alan Wake 2 price locked at $60 on console and $50 on PC, Remedy has launched Alan Wake 2 as a digital-only release. The developer has insisted it has "no plans" for a physical release in the future. 

Alan Wake 2 minimum requirements and recommended specs on PC

Here are the full Alan Wake 2 minimum requirements and recommended specs for PC players, and a warning that they're pretty chunky!

Should you play Alan Wake before diving into Alan Wake 2?

Alan Wake 2 is a true sequel, but you don't necessarily need to fully grasp the Remedy Connected Universe to enjoy it. That also means you don't technically need to have played Alan Wake 1 to enjoy Alan Wake 2, but we really think you should play Alan Wake before diving into Alan Wake 2. But check that link for the full reasoning behind that.

Is Alan Wake 2 scary?

Wondering what the answer to "how scary is Alan Wake 2?" is? The team agrees that it's not a terrifying experience, though it's also not for the faint of heart either. It's violent, gory, unsettling, dark, tense, and there are plenty of jump scares in the form of images that briefly flash up on screen. In short, it's a survival horror game for a reason.

How long to beat Alan Wake 2?

How long is Alan Wake 2? Well with two intertwining realities, plenty of collectibles and secrets to discover, it takes a decent chunk of time - 20 hours at least - if you want to find it all. It's Remedy's biggest and most ambitious game yet.

Alan Wake 2 tips

Before you get started, take a look at our Alan Wake 2 tips, which outline the 13 things we wish we knew before playing to help you navigate Bright Falls and the Dark Place better from the off. 

Alan Wake 2 difficulty

You've got a few Alan Wake 2 difficulty settings to choose from when starting a new game, and you can even adjust the difficulty in the middle of your playthrough. These range from 'Story' which is the easiest option, all the way up to 'Hard' and even 'Nightmare' for the most hardcore players.

Alan Wake 2 manual save

Knowing how to save in Alan Wake 2 is important as you have limited access to save options as you play The thermos flasks found in Break Rooms are your only option outside of autosaves and they're not exactly common, which means death can set you back quite far.

Alan Wake 2 Saga missions

Once Alan Wake 2 gets going, you'll start playing as FBI agent Saga Anderson. Although you will be switching between her and Alan as you play, here are some guides that will help you in your adventures around Bright Falls, Cauldron Lake, and Watery.

How to use the Alan Wake 2 case board and place clues
It's not immediately obvious how to get your clues on the case board as Saga, so hopefully this will help.

How to investigate the crime scene in Alan Wake 2
Here's how to nail your very first investigation as Saga when you're at the Agent Nightingale crime scene.

Where to find the Witch's Hut fuse in Alan Wake 2
Let's get those lights turned on at the Witch's Hut by finding the fuse that's thankfully nearby.

It's a big beat when you have to come up with a new plan in Alan Wake 2 as this is one of the points of no return. So if you want to be well informed before you cross the line, here's all you need to know.

The Alan Wake 2 Nightingale boss fight is the first boss fight in the game, and it's certainly not an easy one. Nightingale - the former FBI agent and naked man you play as at the start of the game - doesn't hold back having been powered up by the Dark Place. 

Alan Wake 2 Alan missions

Then we've got Alan, so here are some guides to help you navigate the Dark Place as our old writer pal. 

How to complete the ritual in Alan Wake 2 and reach the murder site
Your first ritual as Alan isn't exactly straightforward, so here's a handy walkthrough to help you through the subway.

How to find the Oceanview Hotel door code in Alan Wake 2
Get into the alternative entrance to the Oceanview Hotel by finding the right code.

Alan Wake 2 Weapons

We've got the details on where to find all the Alan Wake 2 weapons, so that you've got every gun possible for both Alan and Saga throughout this adventure. 

Make sure you know how to find the shotgun padlock code in Alan Wake 2. This is a super useful shotgun for Saga to use against the Taken, and you get it by solving the puzzle for the padlock code.

With the Alan Wake 2 Door Knob and Hunting Rifle location, you can grab this excellent long-range weapon from the Wellness Center and snipe some Taken with it.

Knowing how to find the shotgun in the Dark Place for Alan in Alan Wake 2 will give you a better chance of surviving the Dark Place, as Alan's weapon options are pretty limited compared to Saga.

Make sure you know how to get the Crossbow in Alan Wake 2 as it's easily missed thanks to being locked away in a cult stash in the forest above Watery.

Alan Wake 2 tools

Aside from weapons, there are a couple of tools to find in Alan Wake 2. They're mentioned early on, with the game offering up locked gates and lockboxes that can't be accessed until you've found these essential items. 

With the Alan Wake 2 screwdriver, you can open padlocked safeboxes and certain pathways through the regions of the Pacific Northwest.

You will probably find several doors or gates that require the Alan Wake 2 bolt cutters, but you don't get them until pretty late into Saga's story.

You get several Alan Wake 2 inventory upgrades during your time playing. Alan only gets one in the Dark Place, but there are several for Saga, allowing her to carry a few weapons and plenty of ammo, flares, and healing items.

Alan Wake 2 maps

Here's where to find all of the Alan Wake 2 maps so you don't get turned around trying to find the next objective or collectible. 

Alan Wake 2 Codes and Passwords

There are a plethora of codes to discover in Alan Wake 2 for getting into computers, boxes, and other assorted secrets. Here's how to find each one:

How to find the Alan Wake 2 Witchfinder's Station password
One of those annoying things where the answer is right in front of your face - if you move the light.

Alan Wake 2 talk show studio door code solutions
The Talk Show Studio door codes are all hidden in the neon lights it turns out.

Alan Wake 2 Coffee World Safe code puzzle solution
Let's figure out what that Tracker, Lookout, Cleaner thing actually means and get in the safe.

Alan Wake 2 Wellness Center password and moon puzzle
Get into the Wellness Center security computer by solving one of the game's more complex and nuanced puzzles.

Alan Wake 2 Lunch boxes

Find all the Alan Wake 2 lunch boxes while you're exploring as Saga, and solve the mystery of who just put a load of Alex Casey lunchboxes all over the place.

Alan Wake 2 Cult Stashes

Our complete guide is here to help you find all the Alan Wake 2 stashes and figure out how to solve the various puzzles for each one. 

Cracking open the Alan Wake 2 rock, rock, tree stash can be tricky as getting the padlock number code isn't exactly straightforward.

The Alan Wake 2 battery amps stash puzzle will no doubt stump a lot of you playing because this Watery cult stash involves solving an algebra problem. We've done it so you don't have to.

It turns out the battery amps puzzle isn't the only maths one either. The Alan Wake 2 car and bicycle wheel stash also requires more simple algebra to solve, though we've crunched the numbers for you.

If you get every cult stash in the game, you can collect the Alan Wake 2 lighthouse key and finally get inside the lighthouse on the hill in Watery for some supplies.

Alan Wake 2 Words of Power

Finding all the Alan Wake 2 Words of Power is crucial to being able to upgrade Alan's weapons and abilities, not to mention giving him more inventory space.

Alan Wake 2 Nursery Rhymes

We've got a full guide to finding and then solving all the Alan Wake 2 Nursery Rhymes, including where to find all the related dolls and what charms you get for solving each one.

Alan Wake 2 Deer heads

There are quite a few Alan Wake 2 deer heads you can pet as you explore Bright Falls, Cauldron Lake, and Watery as Saga. Getting all of them unlocks a special room full of goodies too.

Alan Wake 2 Story and easter eggs

The story of Alan Wake 2 can be pretty confusing at times, particularly if you're unfamiliar with Remedy's previous work. The gist is that a series of ritualistic murders in the Bright Falls area cause two FBI agents - Saga Anderson and Alex Casey - to investigate and look for answers. However, Saga is quickly embroiled in a conflict between Alan Wake and an inscrutable entity that has him trapped in an alternate dimension known as the Dark Place.

Furthermore, Alan Wake 2 also features plenty of nods to Remedy's previous games, including Control - the Federal Bureau of Control has a presence in Bright Falls and fan-favorite Finnish janitor Ahti makes an appearance, so Control lore is actually quite important to the story of Alan Wake 2.

Coupled with lots of references to and clear inspiration from all sorts of other influential films, TV shows, and books, there are Alan Wake 2 Easter eggs and references for other media throughout the game. It's definitely worth familiarizing yourself with some of them too to help you better understand the story.

Alan Wake 2 ending and New Game Plus

If you got the Alan Wake 2 ending and still didn't really understand what went on with Alan, Saga, the Clicker, Scratch, the Dark Place, and more then I don't blame you. It's an abrupt ending and ends on quite a cliff-hanger, but the guide linked above explains exactly what happens in those last few hours of the game and what it could mean for the future.

Additioanlly, now that you've finished the game, you can try replaying it via The Final Draft - a new Alan Wake 2 New Game Plus mode. In this mode, your gear carries over as you start fresh, but there are some new secrets and even an expanded ending. If you want to know how The Final Draft coclusion differs, it's also explained in the ending explainer linked above!

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