Alan Wake 2 (2023)
Alan Wake 2 is horror on a grand scale, a fusion of police procedural, supernatural scarefest, and existential journey of the self, with all the pieces fueling each other in a virtuosic kaleidoscope of tonal shifts, showstopping musical numbers, and confrontations with the terrifying doubts and insecurities we sometimes face when we look inside ourselves in an effort to create something and send it out into the world. With this game, Remedy creative director Sam Lake and his team pull out all the stops, taking us on a breathtaking odyssey that weaves together threads from all of Lake’s work over the past 20-plus years as one of the most distinctive creators in gaming. More than a scary game, it’s a daring and exhilarating narrative masterpiece with fantastic details and wonderful surprises awaiting around every turn. — Carolyn Petit
