PlayStation Plus players get a Halloween treat in the form of my favorite horror game of the decade so far

Date:
Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:26:55 +0000

Description:
Trick & Treat: Alan Wake 2 is free for PlayStation Plus players this month, and you need to play it while you can.

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While Xbox Game Pass is rather loudly imploding due to major price hikes, PlayStation Plus is chugging along nicely and to prove it, Sony just announced a trio of games which subscribers at any tier can download from October 7 through to November 3. Among them is Alan Wake 2 . Its a masterpiece thats one of the best games to come out of last year with a
superb horror story thats perfect to play in the run up to Halloween.

A sequel to 2010s Alan Wake , and part of Remedys interconnected Control universe, we return to Night Falls as FBI agent Saga Anderson as she and her partner investigate a series of ritualistic killings taking place in the
town.

Meanwhile Alan Wake is still trapped in the Dark Place in a battle with his evil doppelganger Mr Scratch as he tries desperately to escape his 13-year-long nightmare. However, his continued writing threatens to not only bring his salvation, but the downfall of Bright Falls and its inhabitants. (Image credit: Remedy Entertainment)

The original Alan Wake is a masterclass in survival horror design, and the remastered edition is well worth picking up on your PS5 for if you havent played it before (especially as it only costs $29.99 / 24.99 / AU$44.95 on
the PlayStation digital store )

Much like in the sequel, Alan using the power of a mystical evil lake entity that brings art to life has already imagined everything thats about to happen. He doesnt directly remember what he was forced to write, but
scattered pages from his manuscript can be found as you progress, and each does an excellent job of teeing up an upcoming moment of terror building suspense as you wait for the fight you know is around a corner, but not precisely which one.

The gameplay works so well too. Much like a child afraid of the dark, light
is your protection and weapon against the shadows. Enemies emerge shrouded in a dark mist that must first be removed using light via your flashlight, environmental sources, or flares unless you want your foe to be a total bullet sponge.

These dual-phase battles intentionally draw fights out, creating more room
for error as you also have to ensure you manage your limited supply of batteries and bullets.

At the same time, amongst the long sections of terror there are some superb action-movie moments that make you for a moment feel like a
darkness-slaying badass. These sections bring some much needed levity before youre thrust back into the games horrors, which now feel more terrifying by comparison. (Image credit: Behaviour Interactive)

Alan Wake 2 improves upon the original with its fine tuned psychological thriller vibes, stunning visuals, and a new protagonist whose adventure is a delight to watch unfold.

I also appreciate how Alan Wake 2 seamlessly connects with Remedys expanding universe even hinting at links to Quantum Break , another of its titles that isnt technically part of its Remedy-verse because its embroiled in rights difficulties without feeling bogged down in references.

I tend to wait for games reviews before picking them up, but Alan Wake 2 was one I had pre-ordered for months ahead of release because I knew Id love it and Remedy didnt disappoint.

If youre looking for a horror game to fill your time this October as we head into Halloween, you couldnt do much better than Alan Wake 2 especially with it being free all this month for PS Plus members. And while it is definitely in the horror genre it isnt terrifying; as I said, its generally more
thriller vibes, which makes it ideal for people who arent big into true
horror experiences. You might also like Gamers, don't wait for Windows 10's demise - it's time to upgrade to Windows 11 or even SteamOS Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to launch a free ad-supported tier for Xbox Cloud
Gaming Silent Hill f has one of the best New Game Plus experiences this year



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-plus-players-get-a-ha lloween-treat-in-the-form-of-my-favorite-horror-game-of-the-decade-so-far


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