The survival horror genre has a rich heritage that spans generations and encompasses a range of well-worn, anticipated conventions. From the art of rationing limited resources to the intriguing hunt for peculiar keys to unlock enigmatic puzzles, players usually know what to anticipate mechanically. Among these conventions, revisiting previously explored locations through backtracking is a cornerstone. It was once a novel feature, and when executed skillfully, it could send shivers down your spine. Yet, as time passed, it became such a common occurrence that it now risks coming across as clichéd and uninspired in this modern gaming era.
Alan Wake 2, Alan Wake 2 Release Date, and More: A Dive into Survival Horror’s Backtracking Twist
Alan Wake 2 is making a bold dive into the realm of survival horror, sparking excitement and conjecture among fans. Remedy’s latest masterpiece is a departure from its action-adventure roots, a move that might tempt it to lean too heavily on backtracking. Given the years that have passed and the multitude of games released since the genre’s inception, we hope developers have gleaned valuable lessons from their predecessors’ dalliances with backtracking. Alan Wake 2 should strive to minimize this technique to avoid feeling outdated, serving merely as a padding exercise or a checkbox in the survival horror genre.
Breaking the Chains of Backtracking
The original Alan Wake did incorporate some backtracking segments, but they were typically concise, propelling players to new locales at a steady pace or at least maintaining a brisk flow in larger areas. Now, Remedy Entertainment divulges that in Alan Wake 2, players will inhabit the roles of both Alan and the newcomer Saga Anderson, switching between their perspectives. This shift opens the door to potential revisiting of locales and, by extension, the risk of overindulging in excessive backtracking that adds little to gameplay or narrative depth.
The backdrop and lore of Alan Wake offer an opportunity for innovation within the realm of backtracking. Given that the game’s antagonist is a reality-bending supernatural force, there’s potential to explore a concept reminiscent of Silent Hill or Layers of Fear titles. Earlier areas’ layouts could evolve into distorted, warped versions, maintaining a surface resemblance while undergoing significant changes upon re-exploration. Alternatively, Alan Wake 2 might have players follow in the footsteps of the other character, experiencing the consequences of each character’s actions as the story evolves, thereby avoiding monotonous repetition.
Saga Anderson’s Unique Role in Alan Wake 2
In alan wake 2 steam, Saga Anderson plays the role of an FBI profiler tasked with investigating Alan’s enigmatic disappearance. The inclusion of her “mind palace” evidence board in the game’s design has been a major highlight, akin to the safe rooms in Resident Evil, offering players respite while preparing for the next impending horrors. This facet opens up exciting prospects for Alan Wake 2 to utilize backtracking in a truly innovative manner. Over time, the same locations can evolve in visually captivating ways, keeping the gameplay engaging and refreshing.
If executed artfully, sections of backtracking can find their place in Alan Wake 2, provided they don’t turn into a tiresome, immersion-breaking endeavor. As long as these segments do not disrupt the storyline’s tempo and immersion, they could be a welcome addition. Here’s to hoping that Remedy has some creative tricks up their sleeves to execute backtracking in a manner that both satisfies the genre’s tradition and propels it forward into the future.
Alan Wake 2 is set to make its debut on October 27, 2023, launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Don’t miss out on the spine-tingling journey! Pre-order your copy now and get ready to face the horrors that await in this gripping survival horror sequel.
