I'm so into this. He is breaking down everything of Alan Wake like the lawyer he is. It's brilliant stuff and I love to hear it even though some of it can be long winded. I love it.
Can we just take a second and look at these four people: a journalist, a lawyer, a mayor and a wedding videographer all talking about Alan wake 2. So neat.
I love Gene calling out Colin's bullshit lol. Edit: I know 2 and a half hours is a lot of recording but for games that are so narrative focused you should have 45mins to an hour for each guest on a spoiler cast. It's great having so many opinions but other than Hoeg the conversation never got very deep. Still as always great video and I enjoyed hearing all the opinions. Also the movie nightless nights (I think that was the name) did go to your videos it was just like 8 parts.
9:10 The issue with the argument of being an iterative game is that argument could be said for a LOT of games that won GOTY, the most well known recent one being Elden Ring.
Alan wake 2 is a great game (not as good as one) but the only "game" part of it is very iterative. I love the blend of mediums and the narrative itself but it didn't bring anything new to gaming itself.
@@Garoth4582 I disagree. I think the first one is overrated. A horror themed action game, trapped by the constraints of the medium. Whereas the second one takes the lessons Remedy learned from Control and Quantum Break and built something quite masterful.
@@Garoth4582lol Not as good as 1? Did we play the same games? Lmao 2 is MILES above the first one in every single way. I think you need to wake up from whatever matrix you’re in.
@@ronthorn3 What if someone enjoys action horror more than survival horror? Then they'd probably enjoy the first game more right? People are allowed to have opinions man, chill out.
@@ronthorn3 It's the story itself that made part 1 better imo. Gameplay wise and the blending of mediums is obviously better in 2. AW2 kind of got lost in it's own sauce. Alot of it felt meta for the sake of being meta. Obviously with a story like Alan Wake most of it is up to interpretation but I just find the first games story to be much more interesting. I just played the original AW for the first time in preparation for AW2 and I loved it. Still loved the second one as well but I'd be lying if I didn't say it left me slightly disappointed.
I agree completely with this. Earlier in the year I was listening to Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin's podcast commentary on HBO's The Last Of Us. Neil goes into a lot of detail on behind the scenes info on scenes that made it to the show but weren't in the game because he was constrained by it being in the medium of a game. Alan Wake II shows that the only limitations that exists within the medium are the ones you set for it. You want to be limited by it being a game and not a show, okay then. But if you want it to be both and mix media. Why not go nuts!?. Sam Lake and Remedy's imagination knows no bounds, and that's why I love Remedy so much as a studio because they show us that with the medium of games....anything is possible.
Loved this game while playing it and it was my GOTY the entire time I was playing it. After beating it and stepping away for a bit, I've found myself not really thinking about it all that much and not really all that interested in replaying it... It's fun to play and beautiful as hell, but I think I found the story just a little too difficult to really still LOVE it upon reflection.
Yep. It is only more confusing. I think I agree with the theory that he is the same to Alan Wake as Alex Casey is to Max Payne and Jack Joyce is to Tim Breaker. I don't think it is the same Tom Zaine from the 70s. I think Tom the Diver was the main protagonist of Alan Wake 1 Story, but when he put himself as the protagonist, he edited the story and changed Tom to a helper. That is my theory on it. Idk though
@@HeazieI hate when trophies are locked behind New Game+. Why am I forced to play the entire game twice just to get a platinum? I think New Game+ should always be for pure fun. No bonus endings, and no trophy for clearing it. To this day I don't have the platinum for Spider-Man Miles Morales, because as much as I loved that game I'm not big on immediately replaying a game. I replay games only once years have passed and I want to re-live the experience. But never immediately. I got my fill the first time.
@@Heazie No one did, but if you look at my comment as a *whole* instead of focusing on one part, I'm simply stating what *else* devs generally shouldn't do with New Game+ These are two different ways in my opinion, that you can make NG+ an issue for me personally. And obviously Alan Wake did the former.
that's the main reason I found the ending so disappointing, I know this game isn't exactly lighting up the sales charts and I don't want to have to wait another 13 years to finally get a resolution!!
Yeah replay the game with the final draft (the games "new game+". Which thankfully you do not have to replay in nightmare mode to experience. That was something that I thought you had to do). It gives the game a more difinitive ending. While there are connective tissue for a sequel. It more definitively closes the book on Alan's journey and doesn't feel left open ended like previously.
Hoeg's opinion about liking FF16 more than BG3 is spot on for me. I will add if Buldar Gate had action combat like Witcher 3 or Elden Ring, I would have loved it.
I really enjoyed it while playing it but the payoff certainly wasn’t what the game felt like it was building up too. Very recency bias GOTY in my opinion although it was a fun game, almost the definition of a one and done. Can’t wait for Alan wake 3 though maybe the story will end on a stronger note.
Different is not always good, and I think that’s the case here for me. People are way too smitten with the old gods of asgard parts, and the musical section. Alan Wake 2 is awkward and pretentious, and some of the game design decisions are off putting enough that I couldn’t love it. The core gameplay loop just didn’t do much for me, and wasn’t horror enough. Closest comparison is probably something like twin peaks. Those who love it love it DEEPLY, but to everyone else it’s like… 🤨
The musical was just one aspect. The gameplay, graphics, story, sound design, ambiance, the way the dual protagonist worked. The intensity and horror aspects. The fame is great. The musical like I said is just 1 part of what makes it great.
Alan Walk 2 is for the real MATURE and ADULT gamers out there who only want to walk and watch cutscenes. Children that want actual gameplay need NOT "play" it.
There is like an hour of cutscenes in a 25+ hour game. And 15 of those minutes is totally voluntary if you want an Easter egg. So this complaint is nonsense.
Just because you dislike it doesn't mean it sucsk . If you can't understand it, just say that. It is better than the same few games recycled every year
It's not woke just because a black woman is in it. They would also need to be gay. Talk bad about white men and how oppressed the world makes them.. and be lame lmao 😂😂 It just had a poc female in it, and she has a husband
Hoeg's analysis is remarkable. Always great to hear from him.
I'm so into this. He is breaking down everything of Alan Wake like the lawyer he is. It's brilliant stuff and I love to hear it even though some of it can be long winded. I love it.
You can tell he’s a lawyer! Lol
Hoeg-"I dont want to overtake the podcast."
Hoeg-Overtakes the podcast.
hoeg is the resident remedy expert (except for control 😂). we love having ya here hoeg!
Can we just take a second and look at these four people: a journalist, a lawyer, a mayor and a wedding videographer all talking about Alan wake 2. So neat.
Need a mini followup discussing the final draft additions.
I love Hoeg is here! I'm only 20 minutes in and this is by far the best spoiler cast everrrrr!
finished alan wake 2 yesterday, so im excited that i can finally listen to this. thanks dudes!
lol Hoeg really felt that 13 years. respect. Great analysis, Mr. Hoeg! 🫡
Im so dissapointed that nobody mentioned Ahti and had a whole one hour discussion about him 😔💔
Damn
its always a great feeling when ahti pops in. hes like god in a sense its great
@@gothichellokittyhe always helps the character but he can’t interfere in any significant way. I love him so much lol
I love Gene calling out Colin's bullshit lol.
Edit: I know 2 and a half hours is a lot of recording but for games that are so narrative focused you should have 45mins to an hour for each guest on a spoiler cast. It's great having so many opinions but other than Hoeg the conversation never got very deep. Still as always great video and I enjoyed hearing all the opinions.
Also the movie nightless nights (I think that was the name) did go to your videos it was just like 8 parts.
What bullshit?
Hoeg has some great analysis and elaboration. Appreciate his insight into this game
9:10 The issue with the argument of being an iterative game is that argument could be said for a LOT of games that won GOTY, the most well known recent one being Elden Ring.
Alan wake 2 is a great game (not as good as one) but the only "game" part of it is very iterative. I love the blend of mediums and the narrative itself but it didn't bring anything new to gaming itself.
@@Garoth4582 I disagree. I think the first one is overrated. A horror themed action game, trapped by the constraints of the medium. Whereas the second one takes the lessons Remedy learned from Control and Quantum Break and built something quite masterful.
@@Garoth4582lol
Not as good as 1? Did we play the same games? Lmao 2 is MILES above the first one in every single way. I think you need to wake up from whatever matrix you’re in.
@@ronthorn3 What if someone enjoys action horror more than survival horror? Then they'd probably enjoy the first game more right? People are allowed to have opinions man, chill out.
@@ronthorn3 It's the story itself that made part 1 better imo. Gameplay wise and the blending of mediums is obviously better in 2. AW2 kind of got lost in it's own sauce. Alot of it felt meta for the sake of being meta. Obviously with a story like Alan Wake most of it is up to interpretation but I just find the first games story to be much more interesting.
I just played the original AW for the first time in preparation for AW2 and I loved it. Still loved the second one as well but I'd be lying if I didn't say it left me slightly disappointed.
56:47 for some reason imagining Ben smiling is more terrifying than Alan Wake 2 to me. Has a real "Moments before disaster" feeling to it
1:04:34 if alan wake 3 doesn't come out for almost a decade, they could probably use VR/MR to really fuck with us
Dustin was possessed by the dark presence in this video
I agree completely with this. Earlier in the year I was listening to Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin's podcast commentary on HBO's The Last Of Us. Neil goes into a lot of detail on behind the scenes info on scenes that made it to the show but weren't in the game because he was constrained by it being in the medium of a game. Alan Wake II shows that the only limitations that exists within the medium are the ones you set for it. You want to be limited by it being a game and not a show, okay then. But if you want it to be both and mix media. Why not go nuts!?. Sam Lake and Remedy's imagination knows no bounds, and that's why I love Remedy so much as a studio because they show us that with the medium of games....anything is possible.
Make Games Games Again
Hoeg-"I dont want to overtake the podcast".
Also Hoeg- Overtakes the podcast
because he actually knew what he was talking about
_Furman_ ............... *_Dustin Furman_* ............... _droooowwwning, I'm drooooowwwning_
So hyped for this review!!
Loved this game while playing it and it was my GOTY the entire time I was playing it. After beating it and stepping away for a bit, I've found myself not really thinking about it all that much and not really all that interested in replaying it... It's fun to play and beautiful as hell, but I think I found the story just a little too difficult to really still LOVE it upon reflection.
Was a great episode. I hope y’all do a follow up once all the DLC is out since the Final Draft really mixed things up.
41:45 it took me about 4 tries but I get what he's saying. Definitely compared to American Nightmare. Which I just played today.
I feel like the mystery behind Tom Zane should have been cleared in AW2
Yep. It is only more confusing. I think I agree with the theory that he is the same to Alan Wake as Alex Casey is to Max Payne and Jack Joyce is to Tim Breaker. I don't think it is the same Tom Zaine from the 70s. I think Tom the Diver was the main protagonist of Alan Wake 1 Story, but when he put himself as the protagonist, he edited the story and changed Tom to a helper. That is my theory on it. Idk though
Dustin low key just hatin.
Only genius if Sony first party
Not a fan of putting a “true ending” in new game plus. I have other crap to play.
That's why TH-cam videos exist. No Trophies or Achievements makes the 5 minutes of extra content unworthy of the commitment.
@@HeazieI hate when trophies are locked behind New Game+. Why am I forced to play the entire game twice just to get a platinum? I think New Game+ should always be for pure fun. No bonus endings, and no trophy for clearing it.
To this day I don't have the platinum for Spider-Man Miles Morales, because as much as I loved that game I'm not big on immediately replaying a game. I replay games only once years have passed and I want to re-live the experience. But never immediately. I got my fill the first time.
@@victory7763
Who said anything about a Platinum for Alan Wake 2? New Game + was DLC...
@@Heazie No one did, but if you look at my comment as a *whole* instead of focusing on one part, I'm simply stating what *else* devs generally shouldn't do with New Game+
These are two different ways in my opinion, that you can make NG+ an issue for me personally. And obviously Alan Wake did the former.
Nice shout out to Shenmue and rip for Shenmue 4, it may or may not come out lol.
Looks like Christmas came early this year bois
Hope we get a spoiler cast from Colin and Dagan on Alan Wake 2 for Knockback eventually
that's the main reason I found the ending so disappointing, I know this game isn't exactly lighting up the sales charts and I don't want to have to wait another 13 years to finally get a resolution!!
Check the Final Draft ending on youtube, you have a follow up! :D
@@silverlabguy9670 I'll play the game again lol
@@mattj2692 Well, you're in for a ride! Many addition in the complete playthrough, but expect it to be harder! Have fun bro!
Yeah replay the game with the final draft (the games "new game+". Which thankfully you do not have to replay in nightmare mode to experience. That was something that I thought you had to do). It gives the game a more difinitive ending. While there are connective tissue for a sequel. It more definitively closes the book on Alan's journey and doesn't feel left open ended like previously.
@@drakenfistImma play on nightmare anyway! Did it for the first game to get all the pages so I'll do it again for this one!
My GOTY with a bunch of GOATs
Hoeg's opinion about liking FF16 more than BG3 is spot on for me. I will add if Buldar Gate had action combat like Witcher 3 or Elden Ring, I would have loved it.
FF16 is one of the most dull games I've ever played. Story is juvenile and simple, and the combat has 0 depth. Plus it runs like shit.
wow ,colin must have not like the game not to be in this episode
Nah I think he’s been busy, he just got married.
He said he was going to stop playing until they "fix it"
I really enjoyed it while playing it but the payoff certainly wasn’t what the game felt like it was building up too. Very recency bias GOTY in my opinion although it was a fun game, almost the definition of a one and done. Can’t wait for Alan wake 3 though maybe the story will end on a stronger note.
The game's true ending is hidden in the NG+, "Final Draft" mode.
The hot take, Herald darkness is not better than Astral maze (IMO)
Really? Because if you actually liked that sequence from Control, I think you would know it's called the ASH TRAY Maze not astral lol.
@@ancientflames typo ever heard of it?
damn dustin sucked on this
I hate the clue board I could never follow what I'm meant to be doing 😂
I am glad the leaks came out because it saved me tons of money by skipping the next Playstation generation.
What does that have to do with Alan Wake 2?
Different is not always good, and I think that’s the case here for me. People are way too smitten with the old gods of asgard parts, and the musical section. Alan Wake 2 is awkward and pretentious, and some of the game design decisions are off putting enough that I couldn’t love it. The core gameplay loop just didn’t do much for me, and wasn’t horror enough. Closest comparison is probably something like twin peaks. Those who love it love it DEEPLY, but to everyone else it’s like… 🤨
LoL. This is some contrarian bullshit right here.
Game was amazing. You are wrong.
The musical was just one aspect. The gameplay, graphics, story, sound design, ambiance, the way the dual protagonist worked. The intensity and horror aspects. The fame is great. The musical like I said is just 1 part of what makes it great.
Alan Walk 2 is for the real MATURE and ADULT gamers out there who only want to walk and watch cutscenes. Children that want actual gameplay need NOT "play" it.
Thank you
You’d hate red dead redemption 2.
There is like an hour of cutscenes in a 25+ hour game. And 15 of those minutes is totally voluntary if you want an Easter egg. So this complaint is nonsense.
@@ronthorn3 The story mode? Yes.
@@PierzStyx I did not complain I was praising how MATURE this game is!
This game is bad. Constant jumpscares and ESG.
Jumpscares suck!!, 0/10=IGN!.
Yeah so weird how it’s like my favorite game of the year, it must just suck or something.
@@ronthorn3 There are like 5 jumpscares in the entire game lol.
Examples????
Just because you dislike it doesn't mean it sucsk . If you can't understand it, just say that. It is better than the same few games recycled every year
This game is “put a diverse woman in it and make it lame”. Biggest disappointment of the year for me and will unfortunately be my last remedy game.
Yes because black women don’t exist in real life. Do you understand how stupid your take is?
It's not woke just because a black woman is in it. They would also need to be gay. Talk bad about white men and how oppressed the world makes them.. and be lame lmao 😂😂
It just had a poc female in it, and she has a husband