Alan Wake 2 FAQ

If you run into any issues while playing Alan Wake 2, please go to the Epic Games Player Support page for Alan Wake 2 HERE to submit a report. 

OCTOBER 2024 UPDATE

The Alan Wake 2 Physical Deluxe Edition is now available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, alongside the free Anniversary update and the new Lake House expansion.

ALAN WAKE 2 – PHYSICAL DELUXE EDITION

What does the Physical Deluxe Edition include?

The Physical Deluxe Edition includes:

The base game

• Digital Deluxe Edition items:
  • Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga
  • Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan
  • Crimson Windbreaker for Saga
  • Celebrity Suit for Alan
  • Lantern Charm for Saga
  • Classic Alan Wake Outfit
• Expansion Pass (includes Night Springs and The Lake House)
• Reversible cover sleeve with exclusive artwork
• Alan Wake Remastered Digital Edition (as a code in the box)

THE LAKE HOUSE expansion

What is the story of The Lake House expansion?

Dive into a harrowing survival horror experience, set in an eerie new location on the shores of Cauldron Lake. Within the Federal Bureau of Control’s research station, the Lake House, a catastrophic event has occurred, where reckless experiments have caused reality to collide with the Dark Place.

This expansion unfolds parallel to the main game, putting you in the shoes of FBC agent Kiran Estevez, portrayed by Janina Gavankar.

As Agent Estevez, you’ll explore the twisted halls of the multi-storied Lake House, a facility researching forces beyond comprehension, and unravel the dark secrets hidden within.

Combat a new enemy type, discover a new weapon – the Black Rock Launcher -, and prepare to descend into darkness as you navigate the nightmare of The Lake House, where survival is just the beginning.

How do I get The Lake House Expansion? 

• First, you need a copy of Alan Wake 2.
• You can access Lake House via the Expansion Pass, which is included in the digital Deluxe Edition and the physical Deluxe Edition.
• If you have digital Standard Edition, you have the option to upgrade to Deluxe.
• The Deluxe Upgrade costs: $20 / €20 / £15.

How do I unlock The Lake House expansion? 

• It is unlocked automatically if you have the Expansion Pass via owning the Deluxe Edition or Deluxe Upgrade. You can find it in the main menu under “Expansions”.
• You can also access it in-game in mission Return 06, by asking Estevez for additional information about the Lake House.

What are the estimated download sizes for The Lake House and the Anniversary update?

• PlayStation 5:  10 GB
• PC: 16 GB
• Xbox 16 GB

Are there new Trophies / Achievements I can chase in The Lake House expansion? 

Yes indeed. We think they are not too tough to get either. There are 10 new Trophies/Achievements in the Lake House.

How does the gameplay differ from the main game? 

The focus is on survival horror. The expansion is also set in a brand-new location, the Lake House.

Are Alan Wake or Saga Anderson playable?

No, they are not.

Lake House explores other characters and their unique perspectives, adding further color and depth to the Alan Wake universe.

Will there be Activities for PlayStation 5? 

Yes, Activities will be supported.

Is there all new music in the expansion that I should get excited about ? 

Yes. There is a new end-of-chapter song from Petri Alanko and a new song from Poe in the Lake House.

Does The Lake House expand the Remedy Connected Universe? Should I, uh, pay special attention?

You probably should.

Does the physical version of Alan Wake 2 contain both the expansions Night Springs and The Lake House?

The expansions will require an additional download.

CLASSIC ALAN WAKE OUTFIT

What is the Classic Alan Wake outfit?

It’s the highly requested classic outfit for Alan Wake from his first game. Now available in Alan Wake 2 as part of the Deluxe Edition, so if you have that version of the game, you will get the costume. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy the Deluxe Upgrade to get it.

How do I get the outfit?

First, make sure you have the latest updates downloaded for the game. Then, if you own the Deluxe Edition of the game, you can choose the new outfit for Alan from the Cosmetics tab in the Main Menu.

ANNIVERSARY UPDATE

What is the Anniversary update?

The Anniversary update is a free Quality of Life update for everyone who owns Alan Wake 2. Read more about it here.

We have improved and finetuned some combat-related controls and interactions. In general players should feel that boosting the flashlight, shooting and reloading are smoother.

Assist Mode gives players the ability to turn on Immortality amongst other features.

The update contains the following additions:

• Option to invert the X-axis (for both mouse and keyboard)
• Controller stick swap option
• Sprint toggle
• Aim down sights toggle
• Option to cycle through weapons using the mouse scroll wheel
• Automatic Quick Time Event completion
• Assist mode: Immortality, unlimited ammo, unlimited flashlight charges, one shot-kills

PlayStation 5 specific:

• Motion Sensor for DualSense (gyro aim). This will also work PC’s when using the DualSense controller.
• Improved and refined Haptics for DualSense (now works with healing items and throwables too)

ALAN WAKE 2 ON PLAYSTATION 5 PRO

PlayStation 5 Pro will be released on November 7^th, 2024. Upon the launch, Alan Wake 2 will get a free update to support PlayStation 5 Pro features:

The Quality and Performance modes in Alan Wake 2 are upgraded on the PS5 Pro. They utilize Sony’s new “PlayStation® Spectral Super Resolution” aka PSSR upscaling method.

PlayStation 5 Quality Mode

The PS5 Pro Quality mode features ray tracing, which isn’t available on the base PS5 version of the game.

• 30fps with ray tracing
• Ray traced reflections (opaque and transparent)
• Output resolution 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Render resolution 2176 x 1224

PlayStation 5 Performance Mode

The Performance Mode on the PS5 Pro features significantly higher output resolution and has more visual detail compared to the base PS5. The Pro Performance mode uses approximately the same image quality (render) settings as the base PS5’s Quality mode.

The overall image stability, fog, volumetric lighting, and shadow accuracy have been improved on the Pro.

• 60fps
• Using approximately the same render (image quality) settings as the base PS5 Quality mode.
• Base PS5 Performance mode version runs at lower render (image quality) settings
• Render resolution 1536 x 864
• Output resolution 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Base PS5 version outputs 1440p.

June 2024 Update

PHYSICAL EDITIONS

Physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are now available for pre-order.

Where can I pre-order?

At participating retailers. You can find the list on alanwake.com.

What different versions of Alan Wake 2 are available? 

Physical Deluxe Edition, available: October 22^nd, 2024:

• The base game
• Digital Deluxe Edition items:
  • Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga
  • Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan
  • Crimson Windbreaker for Saga
  • Celebrity Suit for Alan
  • Lantern Charm for Saga

• Expansion Pass (includes Night Springs and The Lake House)
• Reversible cover sleeve with exclusive artwork
• Alan Wake Remastered Digital Edition (as a code in the box)
• Recommended retail price: $79.99 / €79.99 / £64.99

Limited Physical Collector’s Edition, shipping in December 2024:

• The base game
• Digital Deluxe Edition items:
  • Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga
  • Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan
  • Crimson Windbreaker for Saga
  • Celebrity Suit for Alan
  • Lantern Charm for Saga

• Expansion Pass (includes Night Springs and The Lake House)
• Reversible cover sleeve with exclusive artwork
• Alan Wake Remastered Digital Edition (as a code in the box)

• Comes in an exclusive Collector’s Edition box
• Alan Wake’s Angel Lamp replica (functional with a light)
• Ocean View Hotel keychain and key (room 665)
• Coffee World pin set
• Alan Wake 2 artbook

• Recommended retail price: $199.99 (ships worldwide)

The Collector’s Edition is created by Limited Run.

What music tracks are included in the US pre-order of the physical edition?

At participating retailers, the physical edition pre-order in the US comes with a code and redemption instructions for a digital download of the original 31 track score from composer Petri Alanko.

Will there be a physical version of Alan Wake 2 for PC?

No. The PC version of Alan Wake 2 is only available from the Epic Games Store.

Will there be a physical “vanilla” version of Alan Wake 2?

No. The only physical version of Alan Wake 2 is the one that includes all Deluxe Edition items.

Who has made the Alan Wake 2 Collector’s Edition?

The Collector’s Edition is created by Limited Run.

Is there a version of the Limited Collector’s Edition without the disc?

No. The Limited Collector’s Edition includes the Alan Wake 2 game on a disc.

When does the Alan Wake 2 Collector’s Edition ship?

We estimate Limited Run to start shipping the Collector’s Edition in December 2024.

NIGHT SPRINGS expansion

What is the story of Night Springs expansion?

In this surreal expansion, Alan Wake, trapped in the Dark Place, uses his imagination to script episodes for the TV show “Night Springs,” as he tries to write his way out. This journey transforms the familiar into the bizarre across three stylized episodes, introducing altered versions of known characters.

Players can manipulate time as the Time Breaker, uncover cosmic secrets in the North Star, or battle darkness as the Number One Fan. Each role offers unique challenges and perspectives within the twisted settings of the game, including novel elements like a playable arcade game and a text-based adventure. Dive deep into this altered reality—will you escape the loop, or become just another lost echo in the Dark Place?

Focusing on characters from Alan Wake games and the Remedy Universe. While similar to previously known characters, they are different – Night Springs versions of themselves, written by Alan Wake based on what he saw in his visions in the Dark Place.

• Time Breaker
  • The Actor, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Bright Falls sheriff Tim Breaker, is a multiversal hero in the game “Time Breaker”. His character must track down the Master of the Many Worlds and prevent him from murdering the multiversal hero’s different selves across parallel universes.
• North Star
  • The Sibling, an unknown woman who bears a striking resemblance to FBC Director Jesse Faden, is trying to find her missing brother, who is being held captive at Coffee World.
• Number One Fan
  • The Waitress, who bears a striking resemblance to Oh Deer Diner’s waitress Rose Marigold, must save her idol, the Writer, from the danger he finds himself in. To do so, she must confront the Writer’s critics, and the Bad Boy who is the Writer’s evil twin.

How do I get the Night Springs Expansion

First, you need a copy of Alan Wake 2. If you own multiple copies, that’s fine by us. Thank you!

Players can access Night Springs via the Expansion Pass, which is included in the digital Deluxe Edition and forthcoming physical Deluxe and Collector’s Editions.

For those who have digital Standard Edition, they have the option to upgrade to Deluxe.

How do I unlock the first expansion, Night Springs?

The episodes are unlocked automatically if you own the Expansion Pass.  They are available for selection in the main menu under “Expansions”.

You can also access them in-game by interacting with TVs found in the levels with the Night Springs logo on them in the following missions: Casey, Room 665, and Zane’s Film.

It is recommended that you complete the game first before playing any of the episodes though, as you might lack context for them if played before seeing the ending.

Are there new Trophies/Achievements in the Night Springs expansion?

Yes! There are four new trophies/achievements per episode, so 12 new ones.

Does the physical version of Alan Wake 2 contain both the expansions Night Springs and The Lake House?

Yes, but the game and the expansions will require an additional download.

GENERAL

How many discs does Alan Wake 2 physical edition ship on?

The game ships on a single disc on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. An additional download will be required.

What is Photo Mode in Alan Wake 2?

Photo Mode is free for all players who have purchased Alan Wake 2. Once you have downloaded the update, you can access Photo Mode in-game to take… photos.

Photo Mode includes free camera, preset and custom preset picture settings, full-frame camera lens ranges, selection of effects, lighting settings and frames, and the ability to hide characters. Read more here.

Is there support for Razer Chroma on pc version?

Yes! It was added in the Night Springs update.

What can you tell us about The Lake House expansion?

Not much! For starters, it’s coming in October.

The Lake House is a mysterious facility situated on the shores of Cauldron Lake set up by an independent government organization to conduct secret research… until something goes wrong.

Explore the Lake House and embark on an adventure as the realities of the Pacific Northwest and the Dark Place collide again.

 Main FAQ (updated in March 2024)

General Information 

What platforms is Alan Wake 2 available on? 

Alan Wake 2 is available digitally for PC on the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 

What different versions of Alan Wake 2 are available? 

Standard Edition: Includes the Alan Wake 2 digital base game. 

Deluxe Edition: Includes the Alan Wake 2 digital base game and the following exclusive content: 

• Expansion Pass (Night Springs Expansion and Lake House Expansion)
• Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga (Part of the Expansion Pass)
• Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan
• Crimson Windbreaker for Saga
• Celebrity Suit for Alan
• Lantern Charm for Saga

Pre-order bonuses: 

If you pre-ordered the Standard or Deluxe Edition, you received the following digital pre-order items: 

• Ornate Revolver Skin for Alan 
• Survival Resources Pack for Saga 
• Oh Deer Diner Sweater for Saga 

Where can I find the pre-order costumes and skins in the game? 

The main menu has a “Cosmetics” menu, where you can see and change the costumes and weapon skins. 

What languages and localization does Alan Wake 2 support?  

• Subtitles and voice-over (VO)  
• English, French, German, Iberian Spanish and Japanese  

• Subtitles only  
• Italian, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Ukrainian.  

What is the story of Alan Wake 2? 

Saga Anderson, an FBI profiler with a reputation for solving unsolvable cases, arrives in Bright Falls to investigate a string of ritualistic murders. The case slides into a nightmare when Anderson discovers pages of a horror story, a horror story that starts to come true… 

Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare prison beyond our world, 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. 

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? 

Do I have to have played the original Alan Wake to fully understand Alan Wake 2? 

Alan Wake 2 is a sequel but set up as a stand-alone 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. 

Do I have to play Control or Control’s AWE expansion to better understand Alan Wake 2? 

No, you do not. However, for fans who are into the universe of Alan Wake, it’s recommended, but it’s completely optional. 

What are the difficulty levels available in Alan Wake 2? 

• Story – Combat will not pose a challenge. Focus on mystery-solving and exploration. 
• Normal – Challenging combat. Using items and conserving resources is required for survival. 
  • The game is most tailored and balanced towards this difficulty. 

• Hard – Significantly challenging combat. Leveraging items and familiarity with game mechanics is essential for survival. 
• Nightmare (New Game+ only) – The ultimate challenge. Be prepared and be afraid. 

What is The Final Draft?

The Final Draft is A New Game+ mode for Alan Wake 2, which includes a new ending, new difficulty level and new collectibles. It was released in December 2023. Read more about it here.

What is the story of the first Alan Wake? 

Glad you asked. Take a look at a “Previously on video” here. 

Thirteen years ago, Alan Wake, a bestselling writer, together with Alice Wake, his photographer wife, came to idyllic Bright Falls, a Pacific Northwest small-town, for a vacation to fix their marriage and overcome his writer’s block. 

There is an opening to the Dark Place, a nightmare reality, under Cauldron Lake. With Alice held hostage by a supernatural entity called the Dark Presence, Wake was forced to write a horror story to set the Dark Presence free. The Dark Place has the power to make fiction come true and rewrite reality. The Dark Presence infected numerous people and turned them into murderous Taken. 

Using light as his weapon, Wake fought the Taken. He found a way to write a new ending to the story to destroy the Dark Presence. He rescued Alice but was himself trapped in the Dark Place. 

What is Alan Wake Remastered? 

Alan Wake Remastered is a (wait for it) remastered version of the original Alan Wake (2012 PC version). For fans of the original, it’s a new refreshing experience of the game they love. For newcomers, it’s a great way to experience the classic Alan Wake on new platforms taking advantage of next-generation technology. 

The remastered version contains the original game as well as The Signal and The Writer DLCs, which were originally sold separately, but are part of the Alan Wake Remastered package. The main game contains a brand-new developer commentary track from game’s writer and Creative Director Sam Lake that fans will not want to miss. 

Technical 

What are the download sizes of Alan Wake 2? 

PlayStation 5: 85GB
Xbox Series: 82GB
PC: 86GB

Does Alan Wake 2 support High Dynamic Range (HDR)? 

Yes.  

Can I hide the HUD? 

Yes. 

Does Alan Wake 2 support FSR2 and DLSS? 

Yes. 

Alan Wake 2 audio supports: 

Stereo, 5.1, 7.1 Dolby Atmos, 3D Audio (PlayStation 5) and DTSX. 

Is there a performance mode on consoles?  

Alan Wake 2 has a Performance (prioritizing framerate) and Quality (prioritizing resolution and graphical effects) modes PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. There is no Performance mode on Xbox Series S.  

PlayStation 5-specific features 

• Activity Cards (track mission progression) 
• Game Help is supported 
• DualSense 

• Trigger Feedback implementation 
• Vibration implementation 

• (DualSense also supported on PC) 

PC Specific 

Please make sure you have the latest relevant drivers for your hardware! For Nvidia graphics cards that is Nvidia 555.99 drivers or newer. 

What are the PC minimum / recommended specs for Alan Wake 2? 

Alan Wake 2 requires an SSD. 

Is there Ultra-wide screen support? 

Yes, 21:9 aspect ratio. 

What display modes are supported? 

Full screen, window, and borderless modes. 

Is there a FOV slider in Alan Wake 2? 

No. 

On what hardware will full ray tracing / path tracing be supported?  

Full ray tracing / path tracing is supported on all DirectX 12 GPUs supporting hardware accelerated ray tracing via DXR. Since full ray tracing is a very GPU-intensive form of ray tracing, we recommend a GeForce RTX 40 series GPU and NVIDIA DLSS 3.5.  

Different quality settings will be offered to allow the gamers to adjust the visuals & performance according to their exact hardware configuration.   

On what hardware will the new DLSS Ray Reconstruction be supported on?   

DLSS Ray Reconstruction is supported on all NVIDIA RTX GPUs. 

What game engine is Alan Wake 2 running on? 

Alan Wake 2 uses Remedy’s Northlight engine. 

Northlight is a focused, state-of-the-art game engine and toolset developed by Remedy Entertainment, empowering our games now and in the future. 

Northlight’s plugin-based tools framework and adoption of USD (Universal Scene Description) enable our game development teams to customize their tools and content pipelines to suit their needs. The game runtime is aimed to perform well with ever-expanding virtual game worlds by having a modern and efficient game object model and a GPU-based geometry rendering pipeline. 

We strongly believe in the freedom of developing our in-house technology with selected partners, ensuring we control our entire tech stack. Our creative and technology teams closely collaborate to create features that get players excited and make Remedy’s games stand out from the crowd.