Alan Wake is an acclaimed Xbox 360 videogame released in 2010 that made a huge splash with its fan base. So much so that gamers have been eagerly waiting 13 years for the moment to see Alan Wake take it to the small screen once more. With his imminent return in Alan Wake 2, we’d like to discuss one thing that makes Remedy’s games so iconic: its mix of live-action with game visuals. These developers have proven to be professionals at immersing the viewer in an abstract world where the mind’s capacity is unlimited. Be it Control or Alan Wake 2, we’re glad to see Remedy Entertainment is sticking to live-action footage in its games, making them more immersive and stunning.
Remedy Entertainment Enhances Alan Wake 2’s Story By Adding Live-Action Footage
The first entry of the series didn’t feature as much live-action footage as Alan Wake 2; back in the day, Remedy Entertainment didn’t rely much on it. Yet, some of its previous titles showed how combining two styles could remain compelling and enhance a game’s narrative. At first, many thought it’d cause an uncanny valley effect, but it was so well-made that it didn’t happen; on the contrary, it helped with the narrative of the titles and made the games much better and unique.
Another exciting addition for Alan Wake was the live-action TV show Night Springs. It was an in-game TV Show based on The Twilight Zone because it also transmitted bizarre stories. This segment appeared only at night and transmitted ten chapters that served as a flash-forward. Thanks to the episode broadcast, you could know the enemies Alan would face or the mechanics to escape from the darkness.
Quantum Break is the title that took the live-action footage to the next level. In this game, the fantasy element is that the protagonist and the villain own powers capable of creating a “fracture.” The game demonstrates how the transitions of actors or the inclusion of 3D are so smooth that nothing falls out of place.
In addition, Quantum Break implemented a chapter of approximately 30 minutes each time an act was completed. The player reached a “crossover,” meaning that in the episode, you could see the villain’s POV and how the actions taken in the game affected the plot of the show and the rest of the gameplay. Like deciding if a character lived or died. This was a way to make a more immersive experience in both media and show how they were connected, although it wasn’t a cult hit like Remedy’s previous work.
Remedy Entertainment Proves Live-Action Footage Isn’t Bad for Games
Next on the list is 2019’s Control. Here, Remedy tried to do something different. Instead of presenting a game preview, they made an introductory video of Jesse giving a tour of Oldest House. It is not focused on the story but is an excellent resource to learn more about the protagonist’s personality or empathize more with her as a “person.” However, there are not so many cinematics or live-action in the game. While you can see a few live-action things, it didn’t take center stage like Quantum Break. Control was a terrific game and one of the best made by these developers.
While you can see a few live-action things, it wasn’t as big as Quantum Break, yet Control was a terrific game and one of the best made by these developers. The charm of Control is based on its unhinged atmosphere, its fourth wall breaking, and some easter eggs. At one point in the plot, it is mentioned that the FBC wants to revive the Night Springs show to cover up paranormal events better. And that The Threshold Darkly episode of Night Springs is very similar to the Control story. This gives life to theories that the Remedy games universe is connected.
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Alan Wake 2 Delayed by Ten Days to Avoid Big Games Releasing in October
Remedy Entertainment looks to outdo itself in Alan Wake 2′s new trailer that blends game visuals and live-action. Given the game’s genre, we believe this technique will enhance its storytelling and bring the best out of the horror elements we’ve seen in trailers. So far, it seems live-action footage will play a big part in the game’s narrative, yet we’ll have to wait. Remedy is known for subverting expectations and bringing fantastic elements to change things. Whether they add more of this visual technique or stick to game visuals, we’re sure we’re in for a treat, and we can’t wait for the game to launch in October.
