Alan Wake 2’s first DLC expansion, Night Springs, is a wonderfully done Remedy Games take on The Twilight Zone.

Acting as three mini-episodes following familiar fan-favourite characters, Night Springs spans multiple genres and game styles while maintaining a light tongue-in-cheek tone.

The loose thread that ties the stories together is the in-game fictional show, Night Springs.

A show hosted by the mysterious Warlin Door, and written by one of the main games protagonists, Alan Wake.

What binds this package together is it’s lore implecations for Alan Wake 2’s wider narrative.

Each story was written as an attempt to escape The Dark Place, whilst Alan was trapped there for over a decade. The stories pull from both his memories and Remedy’s wider connected universe.

But to anyone who’s played

The DLC is just as confusing as all of Remedy’s work, but this time round the studio revels in fan service and a general light hearted tone.

Night Springs keeps the core systems of Alan Wake 2, but Remedy has found a way to make it unique to play.

Episode 1: Number One Fan

Image credit: Remedy Games

The DLC kicks off with a bang in Episode 1: Number One Fan. A fanfic twist of the core game, that follows a waitress chasing down her one true love, a writer under siege by angry haters.

The characters used throughout the DLC are different interpretations of previously known characters.

Alan and his other side, Scratch, are different people and so is the protaganist.

She may look like the sweet and caring Rose Marigold fans know and love. However, she’s more one note than her real self.

Opening in Nite’s Diner, The Waitress must serve coffee and dispense her caring words to the customers, before a fish on the wall begs her to save the writer.

After arming herself with a shotgun and a rifle, she begins her journey towards The Writers mansion in the woods.

The story is bonkers and incredible self aware. It’s clear Remedy went into Episode 1 with a more light hearted approach compared to the other episodes.

The combat is generally the same. Shoot the taken and dodge when the get close, but this time around the explosives are bright pink and full of confetti!

Giving Rose her own “What If?” scenario that plays out like her fanfics was such a surprise, and it’s one many fans have absolutely loved.

Taking place in a pastle pink version of Bright Falls, Night Springs is a fun location to run through. However, it is just a recoloured version of the main games town and accompanying woods.

The re-use of assets didn’t bother me since Episode 3 features a number of new locations.

Number One Fan is a great re-introduction to Remedy’ wild world, and it sets up the rest of the DLC very well.

Episode 2: North Star

Image credit: Remedy Games

North Star is the episode that’s the closest to the base games approach to gameplay.

Starring a version Jesse Faden, the lead character of Remedy’s previous game, Control. Unlike Number One Fan, North Star functions more as a twist on Control’s story, rather than a wholly original tale.

As Jesse you must explore Night Springs famous theme park, Coffee World, returning in a more horrifying form from the base game.

Stalked by shadows, Jesse must solve puzzles to find her brother that’s supposedly somewhere within the theme park.

Bringing the pace down and returning to horror was a great choice, and throwing Jesse into this scenario was just the cherry on top.

Coffee World remains as memorable as it was in the base game. With a handful of new puzzles along the way to surprise veteran players.

The campy tone of the previous episode isn’t completely gone from North Star.

Jesse is stalked by shadows and mascots who’ve been driven mad by evil, mind controlling coffee beans.

It’s such a silly idea, however Remedy still finds a way to make the situation scary whilst keeping the player entertained.

The Actor from the upcoming Episode 3 makes a guest appearance during the episode, which only further adds to the confusion of the story.

The spooky story draws to a close when Jesse finds her brother, Alan Wake, floating in a cage.

Each episode closes on the playable character finding Alan in some form or another. This acts as a smart metaphor for Alan writing himself into a corner, unable to find the right story to set himself free.

North Star doesn’t hold as much weight as the other episodes of Night Springs. But for fans of Control, hopefully it’s enough to tide them over until the sequel.

Episode 3: Time Breaker

Image credit: Remedy Games

Time Breaker is somehow able to be the weirdest of the bunch, but also the most interesting for lore enthusiats.

Following the real world actor Shawn Ashmore playing a universe hopping version of himself. It’s the most meta Remedy has ever gotten which is crazy to say considering the studio have consistently broke the fourth wall in every game since Max Payne.

The story begins with Shawn Ashmore being directed by Creator director of Remedy Games and the face of Max Payne himself, Sam Lake.

For fans this isn’t a surprise since Sam played himself during the main game, but nevertheless it was hilarious to see him poke fun at his writing and it’s confusing nature.

This is only the tip of the ice berg for Time Breaker considering after this moment, the whole story unravels.

After finding his own body, Shawn jumps between universes in an attempt to escape the entity that’s killing version of himself across the universe, Mr Door.

Jumping from a psychedelic trip through Night Springs woods, to a maze like, black and white version of Oceanview Hotel.

Time Breaker takes the player on a crazy journey through Remedy’s multiverse. However, the surprises don’t stop there.

Remedy doubles down on their recent cross media approach to gameplay with this episode.

Shawn is thrown into a motion comic that explains the story and why he is, where he is.

This is similar to Remedy’s beginnings with Max Payne‘s comic panel story.

It was a great surprise to see Remedy reference their early work, whilst also further expanding their world.

The gameplay takes a dramatic switch before the end of the story. Shawn takes the fight to Door in both a 2-D side scrolling Beat ’em Up, and a text based brawl to close everything off.

Time Breaker is the most trippy of Night Springs trifecta of treats, and is able to demonstrate the range of Remedy’s creative power.

Only in Night Springs

Image credit: Remedy Games

Alan Wake 2 Night Springs is a crazy bit of fun for fans of Remedy. It keeps the tone light without completely alienating itself from the base games style.

It both expands the wider story of Alan Wake, whilst allowing the writers to explore alternative avenues for storytelling.

Considering how incredible this DLC was, my anticipation for the next has skyrocketed.

If you enjoyed Alan Wake 2, it’s well worth the £15 pounds.

Featured Image Credit: Remedy Games