Alan Wakehas been making something of a comeback in recent years. The game was referenced a handful of times in 2019’sControl, and then the Bright Falls Incident was prominently featured in the game’s 2020AWEDLC expansion. Now that Wake is back inAlan Wake Remastered, fans are playing through the game and keeping an eye open for any references toControl. Unfortunately for anyone looking for new content connecting the two even further in the remaster, there isn’t a whole lot of added material. That said, the two still share quite a bit, asAlan Wake’s story is a smaller part of the much bigger world ofControl.
BecauseControlwas released nearly a decade afterAlan Wake, it’s not entirely accurate to say that anything in the remaster is a reference to the game, asAlan Wakecame first. Essentially, anything listed below isn’t a reference inAlan WaketoControl, but the other way around. WithControlfleshing out the universe further, though, all of these connections are as important toAlan Wakeas they are to the greater universe the games share.
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The TV Show Night Springs
Night Springsis a fictional TV show that plays on various hidden TVs throughout the story ofAlan Wake. The show can be watched in-game and is clearly an homage to the classic showThe Twilight Zone. In the fiction of the game, Barry helped get Alan a writing gig for one of the episodes, but it’s revealed inControlthat the show was something of a facade.The Federal Bureau of Controlcreated the TV series as a way to slowly introduce the public to paranormal happenings and concepts in a way that was natural and non-intrusive.
Alan Wake’s Collectible Coffee Thermoses
While they were likely added as one of several collectible secrets hidden around Bright Falls inAlan Wake, the coffee thermoses are much more dangerous than can be seen on the outside. The thermoses are Altered Items: objects that have been manipulated by another dimension but don’t pose a threat like Objects of Power do. The thermoses seem to teleport away from Alan each time he picks it up, which is right in line with some of the other mischievous natures of other Altered Items.
The Old Gods of Asgard
The Old Gods of Asgard are a band that make for some of the most memorable moments in bothAlan WakeandControl. InAlan Wake, the two remaining members of the band, Tor and Odin, are locked up in the Cauldron Lake Lodge, but frequently sneak out to play music on their homemade concert venue. Alan and Barry eventually head to their farm in search of some answers and fight the Taken using fireworks and pyrotechnics while the Norse rockband blasts their music. InControl,Jesse is guided through the Ash Tray mazetowards the end of the game by a song written by the Old Gods of Asgard. As it turns out, they’re one of the mysterious janitor Ahti’s favorites.
The Bright Falls Incident
The entire story ofAlan Wakeis recontextualized after playing throughControland its DLCAWE. The events that take place during the narrative are actually a close-up look at an Altered World Event as is explained inControl.The entire incident is documented in collectibles littered throughout the Oldest House, but playing throughAlan Wakereally gives players a good look into what AWEs are actually like. Playing the game feels like the beginnings of what’s to come somewhere down the line for both series, as they’re set to intersect at some point. As a result, players who have played throughControlwill likely be wondering about what’s going on in the Oldest House when the events ofAlan Wakeare taking place.
Alan Wake Remasteredis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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