New Alan Wake 2 feature makes the game more accessible to non-horror fans

It’s a long-standing horror custom to unsettle the viewers through the use of flash soar scares — terrifying photos or brief clips that break up the motion on display screen solely to vanish as rapidly as they got here. It was the solution to troll individuals on-line within the mid-2000s; play an everyday video after which lower to a disturbing picture with a scream over it that may blow out your eardrums. Alan Wake 2 makes use of them in spades, overlaying terrifying close-ups of Mr. Scratch with a loud music sting. I discover them efficient, however they’re not for everybody.

Fortunately, in a current Alan Wake 2 replace (1.15) the builders have added a characteristic that enables the participant to tune these horror flashes. The changes aren’t strong, however now you can select between low and regular visuals and audio depth.

I examined the brand new options out by placing each visuals and audio on low. Due to an added chapter choose characteristic additionally included on this replace, I used to be additionally in a position to soar to an space I knew had a giant soar scare — particularly one which even obtained me. I booted up a Saga chapter and headed to the Valhalla Nursing Residence to speak to Cynthia Weaver, who you first run into whereas she’s staring out the window. It’s additionally the primary time she makes it recognized that she’s possessed with a flash soar scare.

Picture: Treatment Leisure/Epic Video games Publishing through gamerjive

The brand new setting doesn’t take away this reveal solely, nevertheless it slows it down, removes plenty of the flashing mild, and lowers the amount of the music fairly a bit. It simply appears just like the close-up of her face is shifting in gradual movement. I’ll admit that it doesn’t look as seamless because the common ones do, however for any individual who can’t play Alan Wake 2 due to these moments, it’s an incredible different, just like how arachnophobia settings in video games like Deadly Firm and Grounded flip spiders into floating orbs. It’s not essentially the most natural-looking alternative, nevertheless it’s higher than the unique.

I do know lots of people who needed to play Alan Wake 2 however couldn’t due to these soar scares. It’s undoubtedly a horror sport, nevertheless it’s not “scary” from begin to end. It has plenty of comedy, kitschy moments, and nice ambiance. I used to be all the time bummed they couldn’t expertise “We Sing” because it was meant to be performed. And now they will! Due to the brand new chapter choose operate, they will additionally play that degree time and again.

After all, there are many bug fixes within the replace. A few of my favorites embrace, “Added audio for impacts when the Espresso Categorical hits the participant. Don’t attempt it please. Espresso World is in sufficient hassle as it’s” and “mounted the participant character so that they use arms as anticipated.”