‘Alan Wake 2’ release date: Sequel to launch in 2023 as a survival horror game

The much-awaited sequel to "Alan Wake" is one of the biggest announcements at The Game Awards on Thursday. While it is confirmed to follow the events of the first game, developers confirmed that "Alan Wake 2" gameplay will be different as they take on a different genre.

Remedy Entertainment released the first teaser for "Alan Wake 2" this week, along with a few descriptions of what long-time fans can expect from the upcoming game. Horror will remain a central theme in the sequel, however, the way the second game plays out should feel different from the original title.

In a statement released through PlayStation Blog, creative director Sam Lake wrote, "Whereas the first Alan Wake had horror elements in it, it was an action game. 'Alan Wake 2' is Remedy's first survival horror game." Lake added that developing the sequel under a new genre should also allow them to bridge the gameplay and the narrative for which the "Alan Wake" franchise is known.

Lake also revealed that they have been working on "Alan Wake 2" in some capacity even as they were developing the first game more than a decade ago. The creative director also said they have been internally calling the sequel "Project Big Fish" as a nod to a quote from "Twin Peaks" co-creator David Lynch comparing ideas to fish — "If you want to catch the big fish, you've got to go deeper."

"We are diving deeper than ever, into an ocean of darkness," Lake added. This appears to be a reference to Alan Wake's famous final and ambiguous words at the end of the first game. After sacrificing himself to save his wife Alice, and while being trapped in the Dark Place, he says, "It's not a lake. It's an ocean."

In the same post, Lake noted that new fans will be able to dive straight into "Alan Wake 2" and still enjoy it even if they choose not to play the first game. However, the first game was critically-acclaimed for its gameplay and its narrative. Its remastered version was also released just last fall, so they might want to consider going through with the titular protagonist's adventure while waiting for the launch of the sequel in 2023 on PC via Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.