10 Best Video Games Of The Decade (So Far)

Even the biggest Alan Wake fans were dubious about a rumoured sequel seeing the light of day. When it was finally green-lit, there was still skepticism about whether it could measure up to the first one.

Luckily, the naysayers were wrong on both accounts. Remedy's Alan Wake had an amazing ability to weave a Lovecraftian saga with metaphysical elements, while still feeling relatable. Alan Wake 2 achieves this feat off with more finesse, having the gameplay split in two, with one half following an FBI agent in our reality, while the other half centres around Wake trapped inside an eldritch dimension.

Dividing the game in two parts creates a fascinating tonal shift, since it feels like you're involved in a gritty detective drama in one chapter, before being abruptly dumped inside an otherworldly reality populated by indescribable horrors. Although this juxtaposition could be jarring, the two halves complement each other, especially since the player chooses when to swap from one to another in-between each chapter.

Even though the mind-bending puzzles are wonderfully imaginative in their own right, each of them stand out since they are effortlessly tied to the narrative. Completing each section is extra enjoyable, since it gives you a greater understanding of Wake's predicament and his reality-altering powers.

Though 2010's Alan Wake was filled with twists and bonkers meta-commentary, this instalment dials everything up to 11, leading to some mind-blowing (and surprisingly funny) moments.

Alan Wake 2 exceeded all expectations, which makes it all the more crushing to learn it underperformed.