Is it fair to look at a game, not just by itself, but what it represents for a studio's long legacy?
Yes.
Alan Wake II is less of a sequel and more of a celebration of Remedy Entertainment. A loving experience handcrafted by Sam Lake and his brilliant team. Twenty-two years of games all leading to this moment.
For the past five days, I have binged every Remedy title starting with Max Payne 1 and, it is without hyperbole, that every game in Remedy's catalogue comes through in some way in Alan Wake II. The absolutely brilliant monologues by the incredible James McCaffrey (RIP) who is BODY ACTED by Sam Lake, made me so giddy to basically see the return of Max Payne. The meta narrative of Alan Wake. The live-action production of Quantum Break and how it integrated into the narrative. The beauty and surreal imagery of Control as well as returning characters from that game. It all comes together and its so much fun.
Of course, the game is not exempt from criticism, in fact, I would say this game is awful at points. But I don't care. Any criticisms I have with the gameplay, the combat, the narrative falling short at some parts, it doesn't matter. The game is having so much fun with itself with standout chapters and moments, I'm sitting in that choir singing their chants and dancing on stage.
Yes.
Alan Wake II is less of a sequel and more of a celebration of Remedy Entertainment. A loving experience handcrafted by Sam Lake and his brilliant team. Twenty-two years of games all leading to this moment.
For the past five days, I have binged every Remedy title starting with Max Payne 1 and, it is without hyperbole, that every game in Remedy's catalogue comes through in some way in Alan Wake II. The absolutely brilliant monologues by the incredible James McCaffrey (RIP) who is BODY ACTED by Sam Lake, made me so giddy to basically see the return of Max Payne. The meta narrative of Alan Wake. The live-action production of Quantum Break and how it integrated into the narrative. The beauty and surreal imagery of Control as well as returning characters from that game. It all comes together and its so much fun.
Of course, the game is not exempt from criticism, in fact, I would say this game is awful at points. But I don't care. Any criticisms I have with the gameplay, the combat, the narrative falling short at some parts, it doesn't matter. The game is having so much fun with itself with standout chapters and moments, I'm sitting in that choir singing their chants and dancing on stage.