Alan Wake 2: Night Springs – Brilliant DLC with DLSS 3.5, RTX all-in and a play of colors from piggy pink to raven black

1 - Pink to death in episode One and lots of RTX On 2 - The two other episodes and my conclusion

“North Star”, the second chapter of “Alan Wake 2: Night Springs”, is a slight step backwards in my view, partly because of its surreal, open ending and all the questions it raises.

Incidentally, this chapter sees the return of Jesse Faden, the protagonist from “Control”, as she searches Coffee World for her estranged brother, who has apparently been abducted by a cult. However, since this is an alternate universe, she doesn’t have all the powers from her game, but it’s still a treat to hear her unique brand of voiceover as she reacts to the world of Alan Wake.

In this episode, she discovers a strange, coffee-based conspiracy at the famous Kosekla Brothers theme park. It’s a classic mix of strangeness and menace that Remedy really nails, and it plays out with some entertaining narrative twists and turns. There’s even a slight variation on the game’s mechanics towards the end that makes for a tense scenario. This episode feels most in tune with the mood of the main game, particularly Saga’s sections, but adds a healthy dose of “Control” flair to sweeten the deal. And, of course, you can die too. The two coffee pots at the end are definitely worthy bosses.

This chapter is the shortest of the “Night Springs” episodes and focuses mainly on puzzles and exploration. There are some neat tricks and a very cool stealth segment, but Jesse tends to stay in the background. But it obviously spoils some Control 2 too, let’s hope so. Which finally brings us to part 3.

“Time Breaker”, the final chapter of “Alan Wake 2: Night Springs”, is a much stronger entry in the Alan Wake canon that, for all its surreality, seems to have implications for this and other universes. It initially appears to be a sequel for Sheriff Tim Breaker, but actually stars actor Shawn Ashmore as a fictionalized version of himself, working with director Sam Lake of “Poison Pill Entertainment” on a new multimedia video game franchise.

It’s the most meta-rich of the three parts, with allusions, if not obvious references, to “Quantum Break”. You take “the actor” through many different universes, including a stop at the iconic Oceanview Hotel, and traverse surprising genres on your hop. Although much of the classic flashlight and gun gameplay we’re used to is present, there are some interesting variations of gameplay waiting for you in this chapter that are best left unspoiled. It’s exciting and creative, always taking you to unpredictable places.

Of course, this is all just a front for something much deeper and darker, as Ashmore becomes embroiled in a multiversal story where a strange, dark force hunts down his alter egos and kills in every universe. Jesse Faden shows up to warn of a coming darkness, and there are references to “Quantum Break” in her appearance. “Time Breaker” is an incredible, vivid experience and concludes the “Night Springs” DLC expansion. Although there isn’t much of a narrative connection between all the chapters, “Night Springs” is still a logical and well-executed extension of “Alan Wake 2” and its meta-narrative.

But yes, or maybe not? My conclusion!

But there is also a small but: The reuse of familiar levels was a bit of a damper for me, as I had naively expected to explore new exotic locations – just like in the DLCs of “Control”. But of course Remedy has used a few little tricks to serve old wine in new bottles and repainted the familiar worlds fresh and from candy-colored to pitch-black. One highlight was the pink color palette, which bathed the entire area of “Number One Fan” in an Instagram-worthy pink, and the additional spooky elements in Coffee World, which added another layer of creepiness to an already dark level. Anyone sitting in front of an OLED: have fun in the void!

Clearly, Remedy just had a blast with “Night Springs”. The variety of genres explored obviously allowed them to flex their creative muscles and bask in what they do best: World-building and storytelling. It’s perhaps a little disappointing to see old familiar territory resurrected, but with such a charming coating of frosting or creepiness, you can’t really be mad. So if you’re a fan of the world and characters of Alan Wake, you’ll put up with it gallantly. The stories are all amusing enough that I’d recommend this DLC to anyone who wants to experience a bit more of that typical Remedy magic. Provided your hardware doesn’t break down.