Remedy Admits They Might Have “Overdid” Alan Wake 2 Jump Scares

Remedy Admits They Might Have "Overdid" Alan Wake 2 Jump Scares

As someone who has had the misfortune of being startled by the relentless jump scares in Alan Wake 2, I must admit that it’s a rollercoaster ride of fear and frustration. On one hand, the game is an immersive masterpiece that keeps you on your toes with its gripping narrative and chilling atmosphere. On the other, those jump scare screens feel like a cruel joke played by the dev team.


If you’ve experienced Alan Wake 2 (though it doesn’t matter if you haven’t as this isn’t a spoiler), you might have jumped at the sudden, eerie visuals that Remedy subtly incorporates throughout the game, revealing the terrifying creatures within its world, and occasionally, even Alan Wake himself. Additionally, there’s the in-game death screen, which may catch you off guard initially when it appears.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, those sudden jump scares in Alan Wake 2 are thrilling, but they come at me way too frequently. Even the game director, Kyle Rowley, has acknowledged that these moments pop up too often. In an interview, he shared how challenging it is for the development team to strike the right balance without making these jolts feel cheap. Yet, I can’t help but feel they’ve gone a bit overboard with them.

Why Were the Alan Wake 2 Jump Scare Screens Implemented?

Remedy Admits They Might Have "Overdid" Alan Wake 2 Jump Scares

According to Rowley, it seems we may have gone a tad overboard in hindsight. When a fresh enemy arises, it’s often the case that they’ll unexpectedly appear, much like a chilling surprise.

Is there a deeper reason for this action instead of just a jump scare? Rowly clarifies that the sudden appearances serve as psychological attacks on the characters in the game, particularly during the base game where players are introduced to Overlap Guardians like Nightingale and Cynthia. This element is designed to create a mental distress or assault for the characters and players alike.

As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but confess that the relentless jump scares in this game seemed excessive to me. Initially, they were indeed terrifying, but once the shock wore off and they started to recur, their impact diminished significantly. Instead of adding to the suspense, they became more of a nuisance than I’d care for. However, despite these minor hiccups, this horror game is so remarkably well-crafted that I can easily look past them and appreciate its other merits.

In the spirit of our critique on Alan Wake 2, we concur with its appreciation as it affirms that Remedy is an artistically reliable studio capable of crafting deep, imaginative storylines that explore grim and disquieting themes, while skillfully incorporating wit and humor to maintain a balance.

If you’re considering purchasing a PS5 Pro and haven’t played Alan Wake 2 yet, you’ll appreciate that Remedy has incorporated PS5 Pro-exclusive features into the game. Additionally, the final DLC for the game, The Lake House, is now available. This new content was released today along with the Anniversary Update, which includes enhanced quality-of-life improvements and additional content for owners of the base game.

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2024-10-23 04:38