Whenever I settle down to play a session of Alan Wake 2, I need a notepad and pen to hand. This is absolutely not a requirement when it comes to playing Remedy's survival horror game, but it has become a self-imposed rule. Just as Saga is investigating the bizarre occurrences in Bright Falls, I feel like I'm doing some detective work of my very own in reality. There are so many little details to uncover, Easter eggs to find, and general weirdness going on as both Alan Wake and Saga Anderson, that anytime I find something of interest, I just have to chronicle it and keep a record. I don't know if this will help me uncover anything, or get any useful answers, but to be honest, it doesn't really matter. It's all about the joy of the process, and how it's making me appreciate Remedy's story and setting.
I may still be absolutely terrified most of the time, but that doesn't stop me from exploring every inch of the environment. From jotting down phrases graffitied across walls, to zooming in on signs or smaller decals and working out puzzles for collectibles, I'm constantly compelled to catalogue my findings and keep an eye out for potential clues. My desire to truly understand everything that's going on, and peel back all of the layers of this mysterious, dark world, has a firm hold over me, and nothing speaks to that more than the filled-in pages of my notebook.
