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Review: ‘The Lake House’ DLC for ‘Alan Wake II’

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The Lake House is the latest DLC for the beloved game by many – Alan Wake II. It is another wonderful addition to Remedy Entertainment’s beautiful narrative universe. This expansion deepens the psychological horror experience that the main game delivers and connects perfectly to Remedy’s broader narrative, known as the RemedyVerse. In this review, I will explore the DLC’s story, its connections to other titles within the RemedyVerse, potential continuations of story arcs, and possibilities for future DLCs.

The story of Alan Wake II’s The Lake House

The Lake House takes place in an isolated, hauntingly beautiful, and terrifying abandoned facility. This facility formerly belonged to the Federal Bureau of Control. The DLC unfolds as Agent Estevez (Janina Gavankar) decides to explore this mysterious place. From the beginning, we learn that many dangerous experiments occurred in this place, which caused an accident.

This accident caused reality to collide with the Dark Place, bringing monsters from the horror world, into our own. At its core, the story revolves around the understanding of what happened. We learn that through extensive testing, the mysterious subject that escaped possesses paranatural abilities. They manifest through the acts of painting on surfaces, which shows past and future events. When scientists tried to correct everything after they figured it out, they split their research into two projects: Project Arbutus and Project Rhamnus.

The Lake House in 'Alan Wake II'
The Lake House in Alan Wake II (Remedy Entertainment)

We learn that the power from the Dark Place can cause people to act just like creatures who were trying to kill Saga Anderson (Melanie Liburd) and Alan Wake (Ilkka Villi/Matthew Poretta). Unfortunately, scientists didn’t stop their research and decided to continue their discovery. Lake House didn’t close, and people there tried to make progress towards their goal.

Alan Wake is still the narrator of the story, and we can feel that he still tries to confront his fears and the shadowy figures that haunt him by telling this story. Through smart dialogues and atmospheric encounters, players navigate a series of surreal events that challenge their perception of reality. Which is just another regular series of events occurring in the world of Alan Wake.

As we go deeper into the narrative, we uncover a bigger lore that links the Lake House to other significant events from Alan’s past and the events of Alan Wake and Control. This wild storytelling creates a sense of nostalgia for long-time fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. Each discovery allows us to better understand Alan’s psyche and the forces at play.

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Connections to the RemedyVerse

The RemedyVerse is a carefully crafted universe where various titles connect, and The Lake House solidifies these connections. References to Control, with its themes of parallel realities, crazy experiments, and the mystery of the unknown, are often present throughout the DLC. Players encounter elements familiar to the Federal Bureau of Control, Alan Wake and Jesse Faden (Courtney Hope), the main protagonists of Control. It suggests that Alan Wake and his struggles may be hugely connected with the agency’s mysterious objectives.

Moreover, the narrative nods to Max Payne, another hallmark of Remedy’s portfolio, through environmental storytelling and character dialogue. These subtle references enrich the gaming experience and hint at a shared mythology that invites speculation about future projects. As players piece together the connections, it becomes clear that Remedy is building a magnificent narrative that rewards fans with deeper layers of understanding and fantastic Easter eggs.

Strong character development for Gavankar’s Estevez

A significant strength of The Lake House narrative lies in its exploration of complex themes such as the nature of fear, the burden of creativity, and the quest for survival. Agent Estevez is heavily developed as she fights the demons of her past. The narrative challenges her to not only confront her demons but also the manifestations of her inner fears.

The interplay between light and darkness is still present in this DLC, where gameplay mechanics reflect the thematic undercurrents. Players once again utilize light as a weapon against the darkness, symbolizing the struggle between hope and despair.

Janina Gavankar as Agent Estevez in 'Alan Wake II: The Lake House'
Janina Gavankar as Agent Estevez in Alan Wake II: The Lake House (Remedy Entertainment)

This time we get a new weapon. Agent Estevez gets her hands on the grenade launcher, which can destroy creatures more dangerous than the “Shadows”. They are similar to Slenderman and are not easy to defeat.

Possible continuation of this Alan Wake story

The conclusion of The Lake House left me satisfied. Its narrative threads are suggesting potential continuations in future DLCs (we don’t know if any will come, probably not) or even a third installment of the Alan Wake series. Alan’s journey is far from over, and the unresolved conflict between him and the forces that haunt him sets the stage for further exploration.

One intriguing possibility is the expansion of other character’s stories who weren’t the main characters in the story. Furthermore, the mix of Alan Wake’s iconic narrative with the events of Control raises questions about the fate of the Bureau and the implications of actions in motion on a larger scale.

Given the success and rich narrative established in The Lake House, it is reasonable to speculate on the nature of future DLCs. Remedy has shown they are reliable when it comes to expanding their narratives in unexpected ways. Fans can anticipate more explorations of the themes introduced in this DLC.

One potential DLC could delve deeper into the mythology of the RemedyVerse. Players could explore the histories of characters from Max Payne, Quantum Break, or Control, revealing their encounters with the dark forces that plague Alan. This would enrich the interconnectedness of the games while providing fresh gameplay experiences.

Just imagine if Sam Lake is once again back as Max Payne to fight the dark creatures of the night. This would not only make a lot of fans happy but would also be an amazing addition to the game. The same goes for Control, as we could see Jesse Faden be back again to see the continuation of her story from the last DLC.

Additionally, as the themes of fighting your fears and the nature of storytelling are central to The Lake House, future DLCs could explore the concept of alternate realities or narratives. Players might navigate different story paths based on choices, offering a unique take on Alan’s journey and the repercussions of his actions as a writer. For example, let’s imagine we see Barry Wheeler (Fred Berman) again or Alice (Christina Cole) who rescued Alan right after the events of Alan Wake. That would be something different to see, but not impossible. Especially that it would enrich the whole “What If…?” part of Alan Wake, with the amazing happy end.

Final thoughts on The Lake House DLC for Alan Wake II 

This is an amazing and legendary extension of the main game’s narrative. It not only deepens our understanding of Alan Wake’s universe as well as the characters present in the story, but it also reinforces the connections within the RemedyVerse. With its haunting atmosphere, rich storytelling, and emotional depth, this expansion is a must-play for fans of psychological horror and narrative-driven games.

As we look to the future, the potential for further story arcs and DLCs is infinite. Remedy has successfully created a universe that invites players into the world of fear, speculation, and fantastic story-telling making sure that Alan Wake’s journey remains a hot topic of discussion for years to come.

Whether through character development, thematic exploration, or the smart hints of interconnected stories, The Lake House stands as a testament to Remedy’s storytelling, boldness, and commitment to expanding the rich world of the RemedyVerse.

The Lake House DLC for Alan Wake II is available now.  Have you played it yet? Let us know what you think on social media @mycosmiccircus or in our Discord server!

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Wiktor Reinfuss

Big fan of all sorts of pop culture stuff. I also enjoy ambitious cinema. Games, music and graphics are all within my interests. I have a great fondness for the Arrowverse series, especially The Flash.

Wiktor Reinfuss has 148 posts and counting. See all posts by Wiktor Reinfuss