Alan Wake 2 has delivered some of its most unsettling moments through jump scares, with gory monsters and twisted villains flashing across the screen. However, some players have felt that the game leaned too heavily on this tactic.
Game director Kyle Rowley recently acknowledged the challenge of balancing these scares, admitting:
I feel like we kind of overdid it a little bit looking back.
Rowley explains that these scares are not just for shock value; they serve a deeper purpose in the narrative. Thematically, they represent a psychological attack on the characters, particularly when introducing enemies like the Overlap Guardians, such as Nightingale or Cynthia. These moments are meant to immerse players in the mental assaults Alan Wake and Saga Anderson experience as they face supernatural threats.
However, these jump scares also serve a technical function. Rowley reveals that the quick bursts of horror often mask subtle environmental changes, such as shifting objects or altered surroundings. “For a player, it came across basically as a jump scare no matter how we utilized it,” he notes, whether for narrative reasons or gameplay mechanics.
While game design enthusiasts may appreciate this clever trick, most players just see it as another jolt of fear.
Despite some criticism, Rowley emphasizes that jump scares remain essential to the psychological horror of Alan Wake 2. As the game has now revealed its final DLC expansion, The Lake House, these elements are still key to conveying the mental states of the characters and the eerie supernatural world they inhabit.
In The Lake House, players step into the role of FBC Agent Kiran Estevez, expanding beyond the perspectives of Alan and Saga from the base game. The DLC promises more psychological tension and terrifying encounters, including the cursed overseers of the Lake House facility and grotesque paint monsters.
As Alan Wake 2 wraps up, Rowley reflected on the journey of developing the game and its expansions over nearly six years. While he is proud of the work, he is also ready for what comes next, preparing to move on from Bright Falls after a well-deserved break.
As always, you can continue to peruse for continued coverage on all things horror gaming. Let us know what you think of Alan Wake 2‘s scares and The Lake House in the comments.
