Infinitely interesting to discuss and think about. Alan Wake 2 perfectly expands on all the concepts that its predecessor tackled while also adding so much more to its themes. The way Remedy uses the idea of a shared universe is one of the only times I've seen it be pulled off in a way that fully promotes creative storytelling. Every character fits so perfectly within the scope of the narrative in a way that is able to feel meticulous yet so human. I think the only thing close to a misstep is that the combat is still not as amazing as the rest of it, but I could play RE2R forever so more of its gameplay is not a big deal (half a joke). Remedy's mastery of blocking both in real life and virtually is unmatched in the Triple-A scene and the fact they could not only pull off the musical level but make it as good as it was is worthy of a 10 alone.

PS: I realized I forgot to mention that this is probably the most beautiful and impressive-looking game I have ever played

As strange as it is to say about a game that ends with space oddity, I think that this Alan Wake might have been a little too subtle for gamers. Reading the reviews, they all say things like "This game is just a Stephen King rip off" but that's kind of the point. Wake is a writer that has had his career made from one series, focused on one singular character, this character almost becoming interchangeable with Wake himself. In his interview when he announces that the book he had just written will conclude that series, the audience acts as if he has retired from writing. Wake feels trapped in the shadow of his past work and because of that is unable to write. The reason that this whole game reads as one big homage, is because that is all Wake knows. Even his best friend Barry constantly taunts him with his own cardboard cutout, holding up the image that Wake so desperately wants to get away from. There are many other themes of creative interference throughout the story. Almost all of the antagonists are people that want to control creatives. They take Wake's, and other creator's stories and try to use them for their own goals, be it fame, or ending the world. The problem with any game that attempts to have themes as "deep" as these is that gamers don't care. Ironically the "we want to treat games as art" crowd never truly does.