I was first charmed by the story of Alan Wake when I read a plot synopsis for the first game.
For various reasons I was certain that I'd be unable to 'ever' play it.
Trailers and similar videos had deeply invited me (and having enjoyed previous Remedy games had beckoned) ... Then I saw some gameplay, some wonderful scenes. But thinking I'd never play it, I read about its story. The effect was interesting: my imagination came up with a version that (it later transpired) once or twice surpassed the real game.
No, my mental version did not modify reality. But it was bookish enough, it had its own might. And it made me long to play it someday, after all.
So I did. A few years later I was able to play it, after all, and loved it.
Then longed for a sequel. Promises and dreams and drafts (some of them fancied). Hints here and there. Glimpses of Alan and his sequel in Quantum Break. Then came Control with all its connections to Wake. And, at last, Alan Wake II. I played it, with a thrill, on PS5. Delightful, for sure.
From the opening scenes, it did feel like a Return, in many dark ways; and the mysteries and tangled words, worlds, wonders ... why, they were quite the Muse. There were plenty of fun, eerie, nightmarish and happy chapters in Alan Wake II. Surely a favourite game for a fellow writer; one to 're-read'. Spiralling from this sequel, more enigmas haunt and promise once to bewitch future tales.
Alan Wake II deserves to be on PC platforms other than Epic. GOG has given us the first game (let's add American Nightmare while we're at it, please) - playing Part II here would be celebrated.