Alan Wake II: The Lake House DLC Review – Murky & Messy (PS5)

The second and final DLC for Remedy Entertainment’s 2023 survival-horror masterpiece Alan Wake II released on October 22nd, 2024. I was surprised to hear that this DLC would be releasing only 4 short months after the first DLC story, “Night Springs.” However, I was excited to see further connections drawn between Alan Wake II and Remedy’s other big series: Control. With expectations that “The Lake House” would set up the announced Control 2.

However, for the most part, “The Lake House” doesn’t do that. In fact, it doesn’t do much of anything. The story is almost entirely its own isolated world. Sure, there are connections to the story of Alan Wake and the adventures of Jesse Faden. However, their placement in “The Lake House” feels more like jingling keys while something completely unrelated unfolds.

At least they tried?

There is still enjoyment to be found in “The Lake House.” Interesting environments and a deeper look into the FBC’s research on Alan Wake were especially highlights. As well as Remedy’s brand of tongue-in-cheek humor. “The darkness darkened darkly” was a personal favorite of mine.

This review contains minor spoilers for Alan Wake II: The Lake House.

Story – Artist’s Lament

“The Lake House” follows Federal Bureau of Control Agent Kiran Estevez. A secondary character from the main story. She details her misadventures in the FBC’s Cauldron Lake research center. All of which unfolded shortly before her arrival in the main game’s story. 

Bro thinks she’s the main character

She finds The Lake House taken over by The Dark Presence. Fueled by the anger and hatred that their captive artist, Rudolf Lane, poured into his paintings. As well as the intense rivalry between the married Jules and Diana Marmont. She also sees how dedicated this research center was to figuring out how Alan Wake, and art in general, connects to The Dark Place.

The story is pretty disappointing overall. It’s almost entirely disconnected from the stories of Alan Wake and Control. Aside from a brief and obvious teaser for Control 2 that is isolated from the rest of the story. It’s essentially a much poorer execution of Control‘s “AWE” DLC. Which flawlessly combined the worlds of the two games.

Gameplay – No Health Insurance

The gameplay in “The Lake House” is much closer to the basic survival horror gameplay featured in Alan Wake II. As opposed to the explosive action-focused alterations in the “Night Springs” DLC. Though there are a few very minor changes.

“The Lake House” introduces a new kind of enemy called “The Painted.” Monsters brought to life from Rudolf Lane’s paintings. They’re virtually impenetrable until Estevez obtains the Black Rock Launcher. Which is basically just a rocket launcher with an FBC skin. The Painted have a great design, but they are sorely underutilized and underdeveloped. 

They’re kind of a paint in the butt

Also, for some reason, “The Lake House” refuses to give you health items. I played through the whole story and picked up maybe 3 heath pads in total. It gets to the point where you’re practically stuck because you’re one hit away from death and your health doesn’t restore when you die. The simple final boss was way harder than it should’ve been for that sole reason. It got very annoying very fast.

Graphics & Sound –  Poe-larizing

Both Alan Wake II and the “Night Springs” DLC had amazing soundtracks full of original material. Both in terms of full songs and OST backing tracks to set the mood. “The Lake House” has neither. Aside from a few musical beats – as well as the environments – here and there that draw allusions to Control. 

Just keep typing

Instead, you’ll have to get used to the same small loops of music playing over and over again way louder than they should. The biggest surprise to me was not finding “The Sea of Night” by The Old Gods of Asgard anywhere in the DLC. It’s the only song on the “Rebirth” album that does not appear at all in any game so far. Which means it’s probably going to be in Control 2.

However, the game does feature what is essentially a giant advertisement for Poe’s upcoming projects. She’s the talent behind “Haunted” from Alan Wake and “This Road” from Alan Wake II. As you can find documents detailing her time being captive in The Lake House, and how she used the music she wrote to escape. As well as a URL that, when typed in, leads to a website where you can sign up for Poe’s newsletter. 

Alan Wake II: The Lake House DLC was reviewed on PS5.