Alan Wake II: Night Springs DLC Review – Twilight Theater (PS5)

“Night Springs” is the first downloadable content for Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake II. Which released in October of 2023. Little was known about the upcoming DLC until June 7, 2024. When Remedy’s creative director Sam Lake showed off the first trailer at Summer Games Fest and announced that it would release in less than 24 hours, on June 8th. An announcement that coincided with the reveal of upcoming physical Deluxe and Collector’s Editions. The game previously was digital download only.

The first of two announced expansions, “Night Springs” is split into three episodes of the titular TV show. The in-universe pastiche of The Twilight Zone. And each episode is hosted by the mysterious Warlin Door, a supporting character and minor antagonist in Alan Wake II.  

The three episodes of “Night Springs” have their strengths and weaknesses. But it’s overall a fun experience that anyone who enjoyed the base game will get a kick out of. Especially if you liked the more out there elements, like “Herald of Darkness.” Though not all episodes are created equal. 

This review contains minor spoilers for Alan Wake II and the “Night Springs” DLC.

Story – Freaky Friday

As I said earlier, the story is split into three different episodes. Each receiving an opening and closing narration from Mr. Door in a very Twilight Zone way. “Number One Fan,” “North Star,” and “Time Breaker” each tell their own contained stories. Together, they make up the “Night Springs” DLC.

They each have a different look and feel that helps them stand apart from each other. It helps that each one features a different main character. The stories are, for the most part, nowhere near as confusing as most Remedy games. Though one of them is certainly an exception to that statement. There isn’t much lore behind them, either. As I believe they’re all just “What if?” stories with no implications on the larger story at play. But I could be wrong.

Episode One: “Number One Fan”

“Number One Fan” follows The Waitress at Night Springs’ Nite’s Diner – Rose Marigold – on her journey to save The Writer from The Bad Boy and his army of haters. I don’t even know if there are words to properly explain how brilliantly absurd this episode is.

The New Lady of the Light

You basically play out one of Rose’s many “Alan Wake x Rose” fanfictions. And the writing perfectly emulates all the staples of bad self-insert fanfiction. The main character being praised for everything she does, the love interest acting completely out of character, and the bad boy who is also a werewolf. Rose is one of my favorite Remedy characters, so this was a joy to play.

Episode Two: “North Star”

“North Star” follows The Sibling – Control‘s Jesse Faden – as she explores Night Springs’ Coffee World in search of her brother. This is probably the weakest one of the three. It’s essentially a brief retelling of Control but with evil coffee instead of aliens. It feels like this episode was only here so Jesse could feature in the game somehow. Even if it’s just a brief Elseworlds story. 

Who directs the Director?

There’s a heavier emphasis on exploring the area and solving puzzles, including yet more math. There’s also a unique stealth section towards the end that was probably better in theory than in execution. It’s just very easy. Especially given that there’s a trophy for beating it in 2 or fewer tries, and I did it in one try in a couple minutes. It’s not bad, just the least good of the three.

Episode Three: “Time Breaker”

“Time Breaker” follows The Actor, Shawn Ashmore. Who provides the voice and likeness of Quantum Break‘s Jack Joyce and Alan Wake II‘s Tim Breaker. He’s currently filming his role as the main character in Poison Pill Entertainment’s “Time Breaker,” directed by Sam Lake. He is then pulled into a multiversal journey while being hunted by The Master of Many Worlds: Warlin Door.

He’s as cool as ice

This is probably the only one of the three that is actually important. As it details the rules of Remedy’s multiverse, the powers of Mr. Door, and the roles Shawn Ashmore’s and Courtney Hope’s (Jesse Faden and Quantum Break‘s Beth Wilder) characters play in it. Though it’s unknown how much of this is actually true to the world of the Remedy Connected Universe, and how much is just made up by Alan Wake, who wrote each of these episodes. 

Gameplay – Rock the Night

All three episodes more or less play out the same way. They’re all a more action-oriented spin on the core gameplay. You won’t be scrounging for ammo, batteries, and health while trying to conserve as much as you can. You’ll have way more than enough of everything to blast through every enemy without a care. Especially in “Number One Fan.” 

“North Star” and “Time Breaker” follow the rules of Alan’s gameplay. Where you have to burn off the darkness in order to hurt the enemies. But even then, ammo and batteries aren’t a problem. Though “Time Breaker” has the added element of locating Energy Nodes to use on TV’s to progress further. Along with a few very fun bonus mechanics.

She’s experienced wilder things

Each episode clocks in at roughly 1 hour. 3 hours of gameplay for the $20 cost of the expansion pass might not be enough for some players. Though a second DLC is coming in the future that hopefully justifies the price more. However, fans of Alan Wake II will definitely enjoy their time here.

Graphics & Sound – Looking Loud

“Night Springs” is as graphically stunning as the base game. “Number One Fan” reuses the layout of Bright Falls, and “North Star” reuses the layout of Coffee World with a Dark Place twist. But “Time Breaker” deserves more attention. It reuses a couple familiar locations, with more new ones added in like Poison Pill Studios. And others I don’t want to spoil. It’s absolutely the most visually stunning of the three. 

There’s also the new song that plays at the end of every episode: “Night Springs” by Keira. Which anyone who has listened to the Alan Wake II soundtrack has probably heard already. As it was one of the few songs on the playlist not featured in the game. Until now. It’s got an upbeat and funky vibe that perfectly compliments the craziness of the DLC.