Summary
- Alan Wake 2's physical edition disappoints fans with required additional downloads for full game access.
- Remedy Entertainment defended the game's initial digital-only release, but eventually listened to player demand for a physical release.
- Despite the acclaimed game's positive reception, the incomplete physical edition may deter some fans from purchasing.
Remedy Entertainment has shared some bad news about the recently-announced physical edition of Alan Wake 2, as the company has confirmed that the entirety of its latest game will not be available on-disc. This unfortunate news might surprise some fans of physical media, as many likely would have expected a limited-edition physical release like the one for Alan Wake 2 to be installable completely offline, but that isn't the case in this instance. As such, some may reconsider purchasing a physical copy of a Remedy's acclaimed horror game, even if they're big fans of it.
Alan Wake 2 launched in October 2023 to highly positive reception from most fans and critics; so much so, in fact, that the title was even nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards. Outside of some minor criticisms, one sticking point about the release of the game was criticized by many fans, however, and that is the fact that it launched exclusively on digital storefronts. Although Remedy defended Alan Wake 2's digital-only release by alleging that it gave the company more time to work on the game without extra patches, some gamers still weren't pleased with the decision. Fortunately, the developer eventually listened to player demand and announced a physical release of Alan Wake 2 during Summer Game Fest 2024, but there's unfortunately a catch.
5 Best Games That Never Received Physical Releases
These excellent games never received digital releases in the West; they can only be purchased and downloaded digitally.
According to the recently-updated FAQ on the official Alan Wake 2 website, "an additional download will be required" to install the physical version of the game on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Remedy explains why this is the case by revealing that the physical copies of its latest title only come "on a single disc" across the two consoles. Additionally, the company states that Alan Wake 2's Night Springs DLC is included with the game's physical release, alongside the upcoming Lake House expansion. However, these two pieces of downloadable content "will require an additional download," as well.
In recent years, the physical versions of many AAA titles have launched with discs that only contain incomplete copies of the games, essentially rendering them completely worthless when it comes to game preservation. Ubisoft, in particular, has been one of the biggest culprits of this unfortunate trend. The company recently revealed, for instance, that Star Wars Outlaws' physical release will require a download to install. Sadly, it appears Remedy is taking the same path with Alan Wake 2 as well.
Alan Wake 2's Physical Edition Could Have Been Handled Better
Though Alan Wake 2 still holds its ground as one of the best games Remedy Entertainment's ever made, the developer's handling of the game's physical edition may put off some players from purchasing it. While it's nice that the game is even getting a physical release in the first place, the lack of the title being completely on-disc and the minimum $80+ price tag for the Alan Wake 2 physical editions might make it a tough sell for certain groups of gamers.
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
A string of ritualistic murders threatens Bright Falls, a small-town community surrounded by Pacific Northwest wilderness. Saga Anderson, an accomplished FBI agent with a reputation for solving impossible cases arrives to investigate the murders. Anderson’s case spirals into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror story that starts to come true around her.
Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare beyond our world, writes a dark story in an attempt to shape the reality around him and escape his prison. With a dark horror hunting him, Wake is trying to retain his sanity and beat the devil at his own game.
Anderson and Wake are two heroes on two desperate journeys in two separate realities, connected at heart in ways neither of them can understand: reflecting each other, echoing each other, and affecting the worlds around them.
Fueled by the horror story, supernatural darkness invades Bright Falls, corrupting the locals and threatening the loved ones of both Anderson and Wake. Light is their weapon—and their safe haven — against the darkness they face. Trapped in a sinister horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Franchise
- Alan Wake
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
