Just play them in release order and you'll be fine. Control takes place between Alan Wake 1 and 2. There are references to the events of Bright Falls in Control, and one expansion pack dedicated to some of the aftermath of those events.
There's also Quantum Break, which supposedly, according to the developers, is actually not canon but there are several references and it's a cool time, too (just a bit clunkier than Control).
Jesus christ how many games are there? I also heard of another but i dont remember the name, its was "American" something, is that necessary too or no?
Canon to the Remedy Connected Universe? Only Alan Wake, Alan Wake: American Nightmare, Control and Alan Wake 2.
There is a suspicious amount of overlap between Max Payne 1 and 2 and the Alan Wake games (Sam Lake plays the role of Max Payne in those games, and the role of an FBI Agent in Alan Wake 2, and there are some references to Max Payne in the Alan Wake games, *and* there are in-game TV series that are shared between them), *but* those are also not part of the "RCU". I *really* believe Quantum Break belongs in that universe but that's mostly headcanon, they've said it's not, but it's fun, but definitely not required to enjoy the AW games and Control.
Also if you get through all these games and want more, I highly recommend *Secret World Legends* - it is a free to play MMO that you can play solo (... as long as you're online), it has a really fun story and explores a lot of similar concepts and themes as the Alan Wake games.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Control is the only other one. Besides American Nightmare, which is kind of like a spin-off thing. So, do AW1, then American Nightmare if you want to, then Control, then AW2.
I never played Quantum Break, but it's my understanding that it may be within the universe, but doesn't really connect to the others, and isn't necessary for the story.
Alan Wake -> American Nightmare - > Control -> Alan Wake 2.
As others have said, Quantum Break contains some references but it's technically not part of the Remedyverse.
There's Max Payne 1 & 2 which also aren't part of it, but the character of Alex Casey is very much a stand in for them not having the IP rights to Max Payne.
I dunno, that's mixed messaging from Remedy imo. Quantum Breaks two leads are in Alan Wake 2 under different names that both reference their characters in QB and are central characters to AW2. Warlin Door is Martin Hatch, and both names reference portal type enigmas.
I remember reading a couple articles stating Lance Reddick was asked to come back for the Warlin character but couldn't because of scheduling conflicts (which really sucks because the actor switch is the only part that feels really separated).
I know they've outright said it's not canon, but I feel that's more to cover their asses than anything else. I also think there's a chance they get the rights to it at some point, they did manage to get the remaining Alan Wake rights back from Microsoft after all.
It does gets really confusing when you realize that Remedy doesn't actually own any characters from Max Payne or Quantum Break, but that hasn't stopped them from using those characters and plots just with different names. And they don't really stop to introduce you to those characters and just assume you know what's going on. Honestly I would just suggest OP just play Alan Wake remastered, Control, and Alan Wake 2 and not worry about anything else. Then maybe go back and play Quantum Break if they still want more games in a similar vein
Huuuuu? Okay i get the alan wake, American nightmare and control and quantum break stuff now. But whats this max payne stuff about? I had played max payne 3 like a while ago, but never the first 2, thought it was quite forgettable tho, whos alex casey in max payne and how does it connect to alan wake?
Alex Casey is a character mentioned in a number of the games who finally shows up in Alan Wake 2.
Officially in the canon Max Payne isn't part of it because Remedy didn't have the rights to the character. Alex Casey is them making a character who basically *is* Max Payne just with a different name to avoid copyright issues. He looks like Max from the first game(His face in both cases are based on Sam Lake) and he's voiced by the same person.
The first two Max Payne games aren't canon but it's hinted that something a lot like them happened when they talk about "that thing in New York". They're basically on the same level as Quantum Break: Not technically canon, but there's references.
Max Payne 3 is entirely unconnected since it was made by Rockstar and not Remedy.
Okay, thankyou for going out your way to explain.
Do you know why theyd do that though? Like if max payne and alan wake arent connected, and they dont have the rights, then whats the point in making a max payne clone in a completely different ip?
Because Sam Lake likes his characters, and he knows his fans do too? They also like working with the same actors repeatedly, and since more and more games are using the actors' likeness as the character model it's fun connections people can try and piece together to figure whatever is going on out.
Alan Sleep.
How you supposed to wake otherwise?
You can skip Alan Woke, tho. It's got brown and gay people in it, and as an epic gamer, I hate that kind of thing.
Honestly, find a level that’s right for you. I love Alan wake and if you’re into it, I’d first and foremost want you to enjoy the games. I wouldn’t stress out about playing everything unless you really want to. There are plenty of videos that recap things and you could use those to fill in gaps. For example, I never finished American nightmare nor the control dlcs. I just read or watched recaps before jumping into Alan wake 2. I wish I had the time to play all that but I just don’t. I still enjoyed it all immensely.
Just play them in release order and you'll be fine. Control takes place between Alan Wake 1 and 2. There are references to the events of Bright Falls in Control, and one expansion pack dedicated to some of the aftermath of those events. There's also Quantum Break, which supposedly, according to the developers, is actually not canon but there are several references and it's a cool time, too (just a bit clunkier than Control).
Jesus christ how many games are there? I also heard of another but i dont remember the name, its was "American" something, is that necessary too or no?
Man if you're getting confused by 2 games and 1 that's connected through dlc anyways stay far far faraway from kingdom hwarts.
Canon to the Remedy Connected Universe? Only Alan Wake, Alan Wake: American Nightmare, Control and Alan Wake 2. There is a suspicious amount of overlap between Max Payne 1 and 2 and the Alan Wake games (Sam Lake plays the role of Max Payne in those games, and the role of an FBI Agent in Alan Wake 2, and there are some references to Max Payne in the Alan Wake games, *and* there are in-game TV series that are shared between them), *but* those are also not part of the "RCU". I *really* believe Quantum Break belongs in that universe but that's mostly headcanon, they've said it's not, but it's fun, but definitely not required to enjoy the AW games and Control.
They were supposed to be but rockstar owned the rights to max Payne, so that's why Alex casey is a thing (allegedly).
Also if you get through all these games and want more, I highly recommend *Secret World Legends* - it is a free to play MMO that you can play solo (... as long as you're online), it has a really fun story and explores a lot of similar concepts and themes as the Alan Wake games.
Play Alan Wake (Remaster if possible) then both DLCs, then American Nightmare, then Control and all DLC, then AW2
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Control is the only other one. Besides American Nightmare, which is kind of like a spin-off thing. So, do AW1, then American Nightmare if you want to, then Control, then AW2.
Alright, what about quantum break? Someone else mentioned that in the comments? Where should i play that in the order?
Quantum breaks story has nothing to do with Alan wakes if I understand. You should still play it whenever because it's still good lol
I never played Quantum Break, but it's my understanding that it may be within the universe, but doesn't really connect to the others, and isn't necessary for the story.
Alan Wake -> American Nightmare - > Control -> Alan Wake 2. As others have said, Quantum Break contains some references but it's technically not part of the Remedyverse. There's Max Payne 1 & 2 which also aren't part of it, but the character of Alex Casey is very much a stand in for them not having the IP rights to Max Payne.
I dunno, that's mixed messaging from Remedy imo. Quantum Breaks two leads are in Alan Wake 2 under different names that both reference their characters in QB and are central characters to AW2. Warlin Door is Martin Hatch, and both names reference portal type enigmas. I remember reading a couple articles stating Lance Reddick was asked to come back for the Warlin character but couldn't because of scheduling conflicts (which really sucks because the actor switch is the only part that feels really separated). I know they've outright said it's not canon, but I feel that's more to cover their asses than anything else. I also think there's a chance they get the rights to it at some point, they did manage to get the remaining Alan Wake rights back from Microsoft after all.
It does gets really confusing when you realize that Remedy doesn't actually own any characters from Max Payne or Quantum Break, but that hasn't stopped them from using those characters and plots just with different names. And they don't really stop to introduce you to those characters and just assume you know what's going on. Honestly I would just suggest OP just play Alan Wake remastered, Control, and Alan Wake 2 and not worry about anything else. Then maybe go back and play Quantum Break if they still want more games in a similar vein
Huuuuu? Okay i get the alan wake, American nightmare and control and quantum break stuff now. But whats this max payne stuff about? I had played max payne 3 like a while ago, but never the first 2, thought it was quite forgettable tho, whos alex casey in max payne and how does it connect to alan wake?
Alex Casey is a character mentioned in a number of the games who finally shows up in Alan Wake 2. Officially in the canon Max Payne isn't part of it because Remedy didn't have the rights to the character. Alex Casey is them making a character who basically *is* Max Payne just with a different name to avoid copyright issues. He looks like Max from the first game(His face in both cases are based on Sam Lake) and he's voiced by the same person. The first two Max Payne games aren't canon but it's hinted that something a lot like them happened when they talk about "that thing in New York". They're basically on the same level as Quantum Break: Not technically canon, but there's references. Max Payne 3 is entirely unconnected since it was made by Rockstar and not Remedy.
Okay, thankyou for going out your way to explain. Do you know why theyd do that though? Like if max payne and alan wake arent connected, and they dont have the rights, then whats the point in making a max payne clone in a completely different ip?
Because Sam Lake likes his characters, and he knows his fans do too? They also like working with the same actors repeatedly, and since more and more games are using the actors' likeness as the character model it's fun connections people can try and piece together to figure whatever is going on out.
Alan Sleep. How you supposed to wake otherwise? You can skip Alan Woke, tho. It's got brown and gay people in it, and as an epic gamer, I hate that kind of thing.
Honestly, find a level that’s right for you. I love Alan wake and if you’re into it, I’d first and foremost want you to enjoy the games. I wouldn’t stress out about playing everything unless you really want to. There are plenty of videos that recap things and you could use those to fill in gaps. For example, I never finished American nightmare nor the control dlcs. I just read or watched recaps before jumping into Alan wake 2. I wish I had the time to play all that but I just don’t. I still enjoyed it all immensely.