Summary
A game’s score and soundtrack are an important but sometimes overlooked part of its experience. An appropriate and well-composed soundscape can add an immersive layer to its other components to truly unite the experience and make a title that much more memorable. Conversely, a poorly implemented one will drag a game down and distract from it, even if the other elements are otherwise enjoyable and well-implemented.Sound design in survival horror gamesoften needs to have more care and attention given to it versus other genres. It must be able to instantly instill and retain a sense of unease in players, but also allow for calmer moments, all while remaining unobtrusive enough for players to engage with the action.
The originalAlan Wakehad a fittingly eerie and haunting soundscape that perfectly matched its already striking visual art design and general environment. Thesleepy small town of Bright Fallsand its bordering wilderness of dense forests, constantly drenched in otherworldly fog that seemed to swallow players in its surroundings, sounded as spooky as it looked.Alan Wake 2must be sure it can sustain the quality of its auditory atmosphere to provide players with another suitably scary soundscape alongside its gameplay.
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Alan Wake 2 Should Ensure Its Music Matters
Composer Petri Alanko provided the ambient soundscape for the originalAlan Wake. As he is confirmed to be returning forAlan Wake 2, this is already a strong indication that its score will be on par with the first. The music itself plays a generally larger role within the world ofAlan Wakeas well. Early on, Alan meets the Anderson Brothers in the local diner. One of them requests that Alan play his favorite jam on the jukebox. It’s a quirky moment, introducing players to the weird and slightly off setting of Bright Falls and its equally eclectic residents while providing a fun tune for players during a relaxing moment before the horror begins.
The Andersons are later revealed to be former members of theheavy metal rock group “Old Gods of Asgard.” When Alan encounters the brothers later in the story, it’s as if he’s struggling to understand exactly what is happening to him and the town. The Andersons point him to their run-down family farm that also functioned as their studio and stage show. Alan finds and plays one of their old records, listening to a specific song whose lyrics contain clues that allow him to piece together the true nature and threat of the situation, and start forming a plan to counteract it.
The music of Old Gods of Asgard is actually performed byFinnish band Poets of the Fall, who are close friends with Remedy Entertainment creative director Sam Lake. The band has worked in some capacity producing content for Remedy’s games since 2003. They composed the final track onMax Payne 2and contributed a number of others to Remedy’s titles since then. Their track inControl,appropriately titled “Take Control,” is often cited by fans as one of its highlights, and is a perfect example of a piece of music elevating a gaming moment.
WithAlan Wake 2confirmed to be embracing traditional survival horror elements, this presents more opportunities for music to factor heavily into the story and setting. Perhaps a few puzzles wherein Alan or the new playable character Saga Anderson (who herself is likely related to the brothers) must interpret songs correctly to advance the plot would work well. It would be in keeping with Remedy’s use of sound as well as tying it more directly to the story and gameplay. IfAlan Wake 2is able to find unique and interesting ways of incorporating music, it would go a long way toward making it once again a standout element in the series.
Alan Wake2releases July 29, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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