Alan Wake spent years quietly being one of the best narrative video game experiences on the Xbox 360. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the same studio behind Max Payne, it remained a hidden gem for many years. As Remedy was more focused on other projects as part of their exclusive partnership with Microsoft.
Thanks to management shakeups, the dormant title was awakened. First with their 2019 game Control, then 2021’s Alan Wake Remastered. Both planting the seeds and building hype for the long-awaited Alan Wake II, coming out on October 27th.
The original Alan Wake is a third-person action-adventure shooter with some light horror elements. While Alan Wake 2 is embracing those horror elements a lot more for a darker and scarier experience. A transition that not every Alan Wake fan will be ready for.
It just so happens that I’ve prepared a list for people like that. Games that will either give you a deeper understanding of the world of Alan Wake, or get you in the mood to have your socks scared off. Most of them are pretty easily accessible, so you should be able to add at least one to your library this Halloween season.
Alan Wake
Well, this one should be obvious. You need to play the original Alan Wake if you want even the slightest chance of understanding what’s going to unfold in the sequel. And I assure that you won’t regret it.
Alan Wake follows, well, Alan Wake. A famous horror writer suffering from writer’s block. His wife, Alice, takes him on a vacation to Washington to clear his mind in hopes of him getting his mojo back. However, things quickly begin to go wrong when Alice disappears, and Alan finds himself the subject of his own writings.
His flashlight is his greatest weapon
The game certainly has its issues, like random difficulty spikes and the weakest batteries known to man, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Alan Wake is a unique and memorable experience that is very well-written, well-paced, and a perfect addition to anyone’s horror lineup.
Luckily, Alan Wake was recently remastered for modern consoles, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get a copy. It’s available on Xbox 360, One, & X|S; PS4 & PS5; Nintendo Switch; & Windows.
Control
You have been warned.
Control may not seem that connected to Alan Wake & Alan Wake 2 on the surface. But I assure you it is. Though I can’t say too much without giving away some pretty big spoilers for both Control and its AWE DLC.
The game follows Jesse Faden as she enters the Federal Bureau of Control in search of her brother. Things soon get more complicated when she’s appointed Director of the Bureau. Tasked with saving the building and its inhabitants from the menacing Hiss infecting it.
The impossibility of The Oldest House
Control is less of a horror game than Alan Wake. The game plays more like an action-thriller with some SCP Containment Breach thrown in for extra spice. It’s a thrilling Metroidvania-esque game filled with secrets and amazing optional boss fights. Not to mention plenty memorable moments with its great cast of side characters. It’s not as necessary as playing Alan Wake, but you will certainly enjoy the journey.
Control came out in 2019, the tail end of the last gen of consoles. It’s available on Xbox One & X|S, PS4 & PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Windows.
Resident Evil
The godfather of the survival horror genre. Well, to most people. Other people will say it’s Resident Evil‘s predecessor Dino Crisis. But they’re just saying that to be different.
Resident Evil is a classic in every sense of the word. The story of Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield exploring the Spencer Mansion and uncovering the secrets of the Umbrella Corporation are known by all gaming fans to some degree. Especially since it spawned an ungodly amount of sequels.
The game, unfortunately, has not aged well in the slightest. A lot of the game’s big moments and scares have been emulated so many times that they’ve become watered down. The camera is often frustrating, the controls are clunky, and the iconic door opening cutscenes just get annoying after a while. But it’s still a must-play for any and all horror game fans.
The original Biohazard did not get blessed with an HD modern remake like Resident Evil 2, 3, & 4. However, there is an HD Remaster available on PS3-5, Xbox 360-Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. There’s also the Resident Evil: Origins Collection for the Nintendo Switch that comes with RE1 and its prequel Resident Evil 0. But Resident Evil 0 is a bad game and you shouldn’t play it.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2, however, is a good game and you should play it.
I’m specifically talking about the 2019 HD remake. It updates all of the outdated mechanics and controls from the original. Seamlessly transforming the game into a third-person survival horror adventure, as Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield explore the darkness within Raccoon City in search of a way out.
The Raccoon City Police Department
It’s not uncommon for someone to believe that Resident Evil 2 is superior to the first. And that’s not even taking the remake into account. However, playing the first will give you a better understanding of the world and what is going on. That being said, the game is a lot more strict about bullet and inventory management than something like Alan Wake, despite having a closer feeling to it.
Resident Evil 2 is available on PS4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, Windows, and Nintendo Switch.
Until Dawn
This is a departure from the kinds of games on this list. But it’s never a bad choice when looking for a spooky game to play.
Until Dawn follows a group of teenagers on a snowy mountain resort that find themselves targeted by a sadistic psychopath. Though there seems to be more to Blackwood Mountain than any of them know. It’s not survival horror, it’s like a AAA horror Telltale game. The decisions you make with the characters help determine their fate, and whether or not they’ll survive until dawn.
Sam just trying to enjoy her bath
These kinds of games are not for everyone, as they play more like interactive movies. However, it’s absolutely perfect for horror movie fans. You’ll get attached to almost every character, and panic over every decision. It’s a loving homage to horror past and present. And it’s available on PS4 and PS5 through PS Plus.
Silent Hill
Meet Resident Evil‘s more foggy brother. Though the two don’t have much in common aside from being godfathers of the survival horror genre.
Silent Hill follows everyman Harry Mason as he searches the eponymous town of Silent Hill for his daughter, accidentally stumbling upon something much darker in the process. What follows is a masterclass in psychological horror that, like Resident Evil, is only let down by its aged gameplay.
Unfortunately, Silent Hill is a Konami property. And Konami are experts at messing up easy victories. The game has yet to see any proper remasters or remakes. So the best way to play it is to dust off your original PlayStation and buy a copy. Because you certainly shouldn’t emulate it using something like DuckStation. I would never recommend such a thing.
Silent Hill 2
Oh hey, I thought of another thing Silent Hill and Resident Evil have in common. The second installment gets a lot more love and attention from the IP owners than the original.
Silent Hill 2 follows James Sunderland after he arrives in Silent Hill, beckoned by a letter from his believed-to-be deceased wife. Everything about this sequel is more well-known than the first. The general plot, the twists, and, of course, Pyramid Head. One of the most iconic video game monsters of all time. Just like its predecessor, Silent Hill 2 is an amazing example of psychological horror in video games.
I think that enemy got the point
Silent Hill 2 has the benefit of being way more easily accessible as well. The best way to play it is still on the PlayStation 2 or original Xbox. An HD Remaster of 2 & 3 was released for Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3, but it has a lot of issues. If you feel like being patient, an HD remake was announced in 2022, though no official release date has been given yet.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The early-to-mid 2010’s still stand tall as the peak of indie horror games, and the birth of that revolution is thanks to Amnesia.
Most horror games of the time were focusing on big action or intense violence. Amnesia: The Dark Descent slowed all that down. Choosing instead to focus on dread through exceptional sound design and sparse usage of light. Amnesia popularized the idea of having no way to defend yourself from monsters. Your only option is to run or hide.
The story follows Daniel inside the sprawling Castle Brennenburg, who must venture to the darkest depth of the castle to find and kill the owner. All the while, he uncovers the mystery behind his circumstances, and encounters the evil monsters after him. The game itself says it’s not to be played, but experienced and immersed in.
Danny don’t you know this is a bad idea?
Amnesia is available on basically everything. Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, & Switch
Outlast
The next big step in the indie horror renaissance is 2013’s Outlast. A first person horror experience that still serves as one of the greatest modern horror games.
Outlast follows reporter Miles Upshur’s journey through Mount Massive Asylum, in his attempt to document the illegal activities of the Murkoff Corporation. He’s exposed to a world of nightmares as he searches for an escape; and his only options are to run, hide, or die. Not to mention his only way to navigate the dark halls of the Asylum is with his camcorder’s night vision.
I think he’s a friendly
It should be on any horror fan’s list, or Alan Wake fans. It’s more focused on horror than mystery and action, making it closer to Alan Wake 2 than the predecessor. It’s a great game to get you in the Halloween spirit, or to make you sleep with the lights on.
Outlast is available on PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac, & Linux
Alien: Isolation
Now we finish up with one of the greatest movie tie-in games of all time. 2014’s Alien: Isolation, taking place in the same universe as the Alien film series.
Alien: Isolation is set 15 years after the original film and follows Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Sigourney Weaver’s character from the movies. She gets trapped on a space station with a Xenomorph, and has to use the tools at her disposal to sneak around and find a way to escape.
Only it can hear you scream
No exaggeration, Alien Isolation is one of the most terrifying games of all time. The Alien is constantly stalking you, and usually finds itself right where you need to go. It genuinely feels like you’re trapped in a room with a Terminator. It might venture too much into horror for Alan Wake fans, but it’s great preparation for Alan Wake 2. This game also features an intriguing story and a mystery, so you might be compelled by that alone.
Alien: Isolation is available on PlayStation 3-5, Xbox 360 – X|S, Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, iOS, Android, and Amazon Luna.
