Bright Falls, rebuilt for modern hardware. Image: Remedy Entertainment / Epic Games Publishing
Alan Wake Remastered is Remedy's 2021 update of the 2010 original, released on 5 October 2021. A novelist searches for his missing wife in a Pacific Northwest town where the darkness is alive and his own unwritten manuscript is coming true. It includes both story DLCs, and it is now essential groundwork for Alan Wake 2.
At a glance
| Developer | Remedy Entertainment (remaster: d3t) |
| Released | 5 October 2021 · original 2010 |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| Includes | The Signal and The Writer DLC episodes |
| Length | ~12 hours main story · ~16 with both DLCs |
What is Alan Wake about?
Bestselling thriller writer Alan Wake travels to the small town of Bright Falls with his wife Alice for a break from writer's block. She disappears, and Alan wakes a week later with no memory — and pages of a manuscript he does not remember writing, describing events as they happen.
The town's residents are being possessed by something called the Dark Presence, and the only weapon against it is light.
It is structured explicitly as a television series: six episodes, each opening with a "previously on" recap and closing with a licensed music track. That framing is deliberate and it works.
How does the combat work?
One good idea, executed consistently.
The Taken cannot be harmed while shadow protects them. You hold your torch on an enemy to burn that shadow away, then shoot. Light is ammunition, and batteries are as scarce as bullets.
Flare guns, flashbangs and flares supplement it, and streetlights function as safe zones. The dodge is generous and slows time on a well-timed press.
Honestly assessed: the combat is repetitive across twelve hours. Enemy variety is thin and the encounter design does not evolve much after the opening chapters. It is atmospheric rather than mechanically deep, and the story carries it.
What does the remaster change?
- Rebuilt character models and improved facial animation
- 4K rendering and higher-resolution textures
- Widescreen and modern aspect ratio support
- Both DLC episodes included — The Signal and The Writer
- Developer commentary track
It is a remaster, not a remake. Environments, animation and level design are the 2010 originals with a cleaner coat of paint. Some product placement from the original was removed for licensing reasons.
Light strips the shadow, then bullets work. Batteries are as precious as ammo.
Do you need this before Alan Wake 2?
Strongly recommended, and this is the main reason to play it now.
Alan Wake 2 (2023) picks up directly from this story and assumes you know Alan, Alice, the Dark Presence and how the first game ends. It also connects to Control through the AWE expansion.
Suggested order for the Remedy Connected Universe:
- Alan Wake Remastered (with both DLCs)
- Control — Ultimate Edition, including the AWE expansion
- Alan Wake 2
American Nightmare, a 2012 spin-off, is optional and not included in the remaster.
Is it worth playing in 2026?
Yes, with expectations set correctly. This is a 2010 game with 2010 pacing, and it shows in the repetitive combat and the long stretches of forest walking.
What holds up is the writing, the atmosphere and the structure. Bright Falls is a genuinely great setting, the Twin Peaks influence is worn openly, and the manuscript-pages device remains clever.
It is short, cheap and frequently discounted, and it makes Alan Wake 2 substantially better. On that basis it is easy to recommend.
Where can you buy it?
- PC — Steam and the Epic Games Store
- PlayStation — PlayStation Store (PS4 and PS5)
- Xbox — Microsoft Store
- Nintendo — Nintendo eShop
Buying advice
The remaster already includes both DLC episodes, so there is nothing further to buy. It was an Epic Games Store free giveaway in the past, so check your library first. Remedy titles discount frequently, and Alan Wake is often bundled with Control — usually the cheapest way into the connected universe.
A note on cracked builds: illegal, a known malware vector, and frozen at whichever version was cracked. Alan Wake Remastered is also one of the more frequently discounted games on Steam and has been given away free. IGGG Guides does not link to pirated software.
Alan Wake Remastered FAQ
How long is Alan Wake?
Around 12 hours for the main story, 16 including The Signal and The Writer.
Is the DLC included?
Yes, both episodes are part of the remaster.
Is it a remake or a remaster?
A remaster. Character models and resolution are improved; level design and animation are the 2010 originals.
Do I need to play it before Alan Wake 2?
Not required, but strongly recommended — the sequel assumes you know this story.
Is American Nightmare included?
No. The 2012 spin-off is sold separately and is not part of the remaster.
Is Alan Wake scary?
It is atmospheric thriller horror rather than outright frightening — tension and unease over jump scares.
The verdict
Alan Wake Remastered preserves a game that was always more interesting for its ideas than its shooting. The episodic structure, the manuscript conceit and Bright Falls itself still work; the combat wore thin in 2010 and has not improved.
As the opening chapter of Remedy's connected universe, and at the price it usually sells for, it is well worth the twelve hours.
Best for: Remedy fans, Twin Peaks enthusiasts, and anyone heading toward Alan Wake 2.
Skip if: repetitive combat over a long campaign is a dealbreaker.
More from IGGG Guides:
- Silent Hill f review — everything we know
- Dying Light: The Beast — everything to know
- Hollow Knight: Silksong review — a beautiful, brutal adventure
Last updated: 6 September 2026