Alan Wake was developed by Remedy Entertainment which quickly rose to popularity due to its unique blend of action, adventure, and psychological horror.

The team behind the franchise had a goal of developing a new gameplay mechanic centered on light and darkness along with deep storytelling. The release of Alan Wake in 2010 received praise for its narrative and unique gameplay.

The game follows Alan Wake, a best-selling thriller author who suffers from writer's block. Due to a series of events, Alan will find himself locked in a nightmare based on his manuscript.

For newcomers, knowing where to start playing can be daunting at first. If you're new to the world of Alan Wake, here are some of the best games from the franchise that you should not miss:

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Alan Wake

The original name is the best starting point for this franchise. It introduces the player to the story of Alan who travels to Bright Falls. During their visit, his wife mysteriously disappears and he finds himself in a nightmare based on his latest manuscript that he can't remember writing.

In this game, the player will start to familiarize himself with its structure. Alan Wake is known for its episodic-like narrative wherein there are cliffhangers and recaps. Players must use light to weaken opponents before finishing them with conventional weapons.

Alan Wake: The Signal

This is the first DLC for the game that was released in the same year as the first game. The Signal picks up from the events after the main game. Alan will continue to struggle to escape the Dark Place.

Alan must follow the signals that he receives through his phone to piece together what is happening. He must find a way to break free from the darkness despite getting deeper into the Dark Place. Twisted versions of familiar locations and characters from the main game are expected in this DLC.

Alan Wake: The Writer

The Writer is the second DLC based on the main game. The events quickly followed the story after The Signal, making it the best way to continue Alan's journey.

In this DLC, Alan is still stuck in the Dark Place. Instead of signals, he is now guided by the spectral presence of his friend and agent Barry Wheeler. The player will have an in-depth understanding of Alan's psyche as he fights his inner demons while still trying to escape the darkness.

Alan Wake's American Nightmare

In this standalone spin-off, Alan finds himself in an alternate reality version of Night Springs, a fictional town from his the TV show he used to write. During the game, he will face his evil doppelganger, Mr. Scratch, who spreads darkness and chaos.

This spin-off introduces a new arcade action called Fight Till Dawn. Players must face waves of enemies until the morning with the motivation to survive and score high.

Alan Wake 2

The latest sequel to the game is now focused on a survival horror game. Alan Wake 2 sees the entrapment of Alan in an alternate dimension for 13 years. The only way for him to escape is to write a horror story based on an FBI special agent named Saga Anderson.

Players can play as Alan or Saga in two different single-player stories. In addition, the story can also be played in any order, allowing players to gain more liberty in the storyline.

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