Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Reviews
This return to Alan Wake's horror roots feels a little lacking compared to the main game, but its examination of AI and art's relationship with science arguably hides its most daring meta commentary yet.
The Lake House DLC is a tightly paced slice of psychological horror that serves as an absorbing addendum to Alan Wake II.
It's not a complete home run as a package, but with enough standout moments throughout the two packs, the expansion upgrade should be an easy buy for fans.
The Lake House can be considered a conservative DLC, with a development that is not far from the Survival template. But what makes it special is the way it connects the universe of Remedy games, with a narrative and a story that you can enjoy without knowing the games, and that closes the plot well. Too bad it's so short.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
After the bizarre variations of Night Springs, The Lake House brings us back to the survival horror genre along with another of the endless faces of the Wakeverse. In less than three hours, the essences of Control and AW2 are condensed, distilled and set aside for the future... which promises to be extremely exciting. However an extra hour or two to give the events more breathing space would not have hurt.
Review in Italian | Read full review
With its great atmosphere and tight story pacing, Alan Wake 2: The Lake House retains the same elements that made the base game so engaging. The lack of significant new mechanics and its very short length, however, make it a worthwhile purchase only for the most die-hard fans of Alan Wake 2 and the Remedy Connected Universe.
The Lake House is a brilliant serving of Remedy horror goodness, acting as a cocktail of two franchise identities, to deliver something that is narratively intriguing and visually distinct. It's a tight-knit experience packed with expanding lore and clever scares, and a keen reminder of Remedy's pedigree. It's an interesting link in the wider world of Remedy games too that leaves us sad to see this chapter end, but ever curious to how it will all continue.
Here, I think The Lake House is a waste of potential because it introduces beautiful ideas in the form of a draft: it tells a story with incredible ideas but hastens its conclusions; it proposes new enemies but asks us to face them on very few occasions; it suggests a fair amount of freedom of exploration but never fully enhances it. Even a secret meeting, loosely connected to Control 2, is all too fleeting, and therefore not as relevant as it could have been. It almost seems that The Lake House is in a hurry to reach the end. It's a shame, because the material is great and, as they say, you never rush art.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This is a swan song that really isn't a swan song. Remedy ends Alan Wake 2 with a link to what comes next… kind of. If you love Alan Wake 2 as I do, you'll love this, as The Lake House is more of those stylings with an FBC filter. Agent Estevez is awesome in her starring role, along with themes in the narrative that make you look beyond the paint covered canvas.
Though not as exciting or inventive as the previous Alan Wake 2 DLC, The Lake House does a solid job of connecting Alan Wake and Control together while offering a fairly creepy if somewhat generic survival horror experience.
Alan Wake 2 signs off on a typically strong note with The Lake House, which is a strong expansion that delivers an engaging new survival horror chapter while also setting up the future of the Remedy Connected Universe.
Alan Wake II's final expansion doesn't necessarily end with a whimper, but it was primed to end with an ear-ringing bang we'll never hear.
The Lake House lasts too short but, given how terrifying it can be, perhaps it could be lucky. Remedy brings down the curtain on Alan Wake 2 with a cohesive and dense content, in which it pours an exorbitant grandeur of intent from a narrative point of view.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fearless opponents, no major changes in combat mechanics, maybe two puzzles, and less than 2 hours of fun? This is DLC that could have been quietly added to the free post-release content.
Review in Polish | Read full review
An enjoyable yet non-mandatory DLC that delivers a solid story, intense action sequences, and a relevant meta-comment.
Review in Russian | Read full review
A fitting sendoff and a final goodbye. It's by no means vital but is appreciated nonetheless while we wait for Control 2.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Overall, The Lake House is a nice expansion, it doesn't offer much of a story of its own, but it's rich with connections and hints of where Control 2 will go. Ultimately, getting players ready for Control 2 is also the goal of the expansion. Don't expect much else from it.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Alan Wake 2: The Lake House is another brilliant slice of Remedy goodness. This expansion certainly veers more into Control territory, so if that's your Remedy jam, you're going to have a great time with this one. For us, we'd have liked the game's final DLC to feel a bit more like Alan Wake in its concept and execution, so The Lake House doesn't feel quite as accomplished as the base game or its previous Night Springs expansion. At just $20 / £15 for both DLC packs though, you really can't go wrong in opening up your wallet for some fresh Alan Wake action.
The Lake House is a short but effective mood piece with some fascinating thematic layers about the importance of the creative's voice in art, all pulled off in a way only Remedy could.
The beloved dark and mysterious atmosphere of Game 2 is present in Alan Wake 2: The Lake House DLC, along with a wealth of information about its world(s)
Review in Greek | Read full review