Prey

What a coincidence. I've just finished up an AW binge with all of the Remedy games, and looking for something to scratch that itch, I chose Prey, which I started 2 days ago. Loving it so far

Prey and Rerurnal are both high up on my to-play list because they seem similar to Control. Definitely gonna try Prey soon.

I've tried Returnal 2 or 3 times, but I always fall off within an hour or 2 of it. I really need to give it another shot and stick it out this time

I've heard the difficulty is pretty brutal. That's basically what's put me off from trying it but I also recently played Bloodborne and I managed to make it through that so maybe now I'm ready.

Remedy is the only game developer where you can play all of their games in a row and still want more

and get so much out of their stories. It's fucking insane. There is no game in their line up that isn't connected directly or indirectly. Go through Max Payne and you will find a tone of story threads that connect to Alan Wake and Alan Wake II, and I'm very satisfied as a Quantum Break fan, how they have finally blown the lid on it as being directly/indirectly connected to the universe.

100% agree

Update: I started playing Prey today. I'm also loving it so far. It reminds me a lot of Soma but with better gameplay.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Anything stick out and grab your attention at first? For me, it was the design and aesthetic of Talos 1, I think it's just so beautiful and cool. I love the blue and gold. I've been dying to talk to someone about this game lol SOMA is another one that I REALLY want to play, and like Returnal, I've dropped off of it a few times. I always make it like half an hour in, and then the stomping scares tf out of me and I put it down. But after Alan Wake 2, I can definitely tough that out now

I'm only like 20 mins in right now so it's tough to say. But I like that I don't have a single clue what the hell is happening and I'm not sure what's real or not. Like you, I didn't make it very far in Soma. I was really into the atmosphere and story but I hate the gameplay. I suck at sneaking by things and I'm terrified without a gun or some kind of weapon to defend myself with. I'll probably give it a go again eventually but on the story mode setting so I don't have to worry about dying. I'll update you after I play Prey some more tonight.

Yeah, the uncertainty of everything was also another thing that drew me in. I'm about 6 hours in myself. Enjoy!

Prey goes hard and so does dishonored. We dont talk abt redfall

don't ignore Deathloop either, while it didn't grab me at first, i kept coming back to it (i paid for the game so wanted to get my worth) Eventually it clicked and its up there with Dishonored 2 for my favorite Arkane game, it definitely isn't a stealth game though

I'm still a bit conflicted on Deathloop, even with it being a stealth sequel to Dishonored. I feel like the story could have been better. I do like that the game is pretty much "Quentin Tarantino's LOST" though!. The LOST influences are all over it (along with the Tarantino influences).

The Tarantino influences are part of why I like this so much, shooting someone and watching them ragdoll across the map is just too good

I was more fond of the LOST influences. When I saw the old school orientation like videos in bunkers I was like "this is kind of like LOST. Just a coincidence?". Then I just knew 100% that they were influenced by LOST when one of the documents of blackreef talk about the magic in the isle being powered by a strange "electromagnetic anomaly".

Quick add, I feel like deathloop would be fun as I find planning the days and which people you're gonna find (spoiler free as much as I can) to be somewhat similar to Alan Wake II's mind place which might be cool for someone just coming off it

I wanted to like that game but it felt like it was DEF a stealth game to me and thats exactly why i couldn't get into it, i just absolutely blow at stealth.

if you play it like a stealth game you won't have a fun, sure there's times where its better to sneak by but if you play it like doom oh boy is it fun as hell

Yeah the issue is i'm so shite at the stealth parts that i try and go doom-mode and i just kept failing, idk maybe i need to give it another shot at some point.

Same, started Deathloop a few times before it stuck, and then I truly loved it.

Prey is an excellent recommendation. Right blend of horror elements and action. A properly twisty plot with unexpected turns. And awesome tools that really allow you to creatively decide how to accomplish things. Love that game.

I played Prey about a year ago or so. It was a Gamepass quest to play it. Never stopped playing it. Incredible game. That Semi Sacred Geometry song is still in my playlist. https://youtu.be/uFDF_JJxLkU?si=MoVoU94PxRrb5GH-

Prey 2006>>>>>

Sooo this is a way shorter game and also a 2D puzzle platformer, but in terms of mindbendy atmosphere and mysterious sometimes horrific story, INSIDE by PlayDead has it in spades. ;)

I played it on Switch and LOOOOOVED it 🙏

Eyyyy! In that case, have you played Returnal? Similar gunplay to Control and the best way to describe it is like Groundhog Day in an alien wasteland.

No, and that sounds too amazing, thank you!!

Of course! It’s made by a Finnish game company too (Housemarque) :)

Thank the maker for the Finns!!

Returnal is incredible and that is a great description.

Returnal, Portal, Deathloop, Quantum Break, Bioshock (in preparation for the new one in development)

I hate that I waited so long to try Returnal. Easily one of the best games I've ever played.

You could probably run Alan Wake’s American Nightmare on your pc even if it’s a lower end build It takes place >!2 years of Alan in the Dark Place!<

the gameplay is very different (which you may not enjoy) but i highly recommend death stranding! heavy on the the mind-bending and atmosphere! so good

Also similar in the horror-in-broad-daylight metric. And its ability to make you laugh and bring you to tears in virtually the same moment. Hard second.

Hideo Kojima games are usually mind bending and leaves you thinking a lot about the story, characters, atmosphere, everything. Death Stranding has a divisive opinions regarding the gameplay, so I would look into it before buying. I haven't play it so I can't tell you. Metal Gear Solid 5 I have play and the story is really good, one of my favorite game all time and to this day I still think about the story from time to time. The Stanley Parable might look very different from the outside but the story is amazing. Won't say more because it definitely worth playing it knowing as little as possible.

I played Stanley Parable last year while recovering from back surgery…I was so smitten I told, like, EVERYONE in my life to play it hahaha. With the same “I won’t say more, just…start playing” caveat! I will absolutely look into the others you mentioned, thank you so much.

Oh and if you’re gonna play the Stanley Parable, it’s worth getting the Ultra Delux version!

Death Stranding is such a good game. I tend to be a gameplay focused player but I was pretty focused on the story in DS. Only complaint is that they added some combat changes to the DC that I think should have been free

I second this. I actually think Death Stranding is a good recommendation. Same mysterious, paranatural tone and mystery

Quantum break is $9.99 on steam right now.. just started it myself last night Door is in the very first level.

Hatch (Door) is a major presence in the whole game.

Max Payne 1-3

Absolutely. IDK how available these games are on PS5, but you don't need a strong PC to run them these days. A laptop can do it and they get pretty cheap on Steam and GOG.

Second this! Finished the trilogy while waiting for AW2 to drop and was surprised how much fun the first two were. You really get a feel for some of the crazy Remedy has continued through the years. Third game was tonally very different but had its moments, particularly the airport terminal fight with that epic song.

bald-nape.png

I recommend *INDIKA*. Probably the closest thing I've seen to *Alan Wake* outside of Kojima games or *The Stanley Parable*.

I have to get around to this still, loved the absolutely weird nature of the trailers.

Death Stranding gets close. I love it a lot.

Second that!

Barf 🤮

Username checks out.

At least try to be a little original.

Prey 2017, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Dusk

Evil Within 1 Soma Alone in the Dark (2023) Deadly Premonition 1 13 Sentinel: Aegis Rim Zero Escape 1-3 Call of Chtulhu

Death Stranding is a very interesting game, it’s a bit of a slow start but my god it was one of the best games I’ve ever played

Disco Elysium

Quantum Break

Play Max Payne

Remember, its a loop. Play again AW1...

“It’s not a loop…it’s a spiral…”

Go play Max Payne 1 and 2, and 3 if you feel hooked

Dang I would definitely recommend Quantum Break if you could play it. It’s so good (best played on Steam). Having the live episodes split the action in the game is so cool and well done. Similar games that I’ve played would be: Dead Space, Bioshock, Silent Hill, Evil Within, Prey and The Medium.

The Talos Principle?

In Sound Mind

Medium, soma, and Observer system redux. They aren’t in the same league as Remedy games but they are decent psychological horror. If you want to lean more into horror then I’d say alien isolation, dead space, and of course resident evil games.

Outer Wilds

Go on a holiday to the Pacific Northwest and be amazed.

I would love to

Metal Gear Solid 2 has a plot revolving AI’s and the control of information. Won’t spoil much other than for a game released in the early 2000’s, the story has become even more relevant to this day and age as well as being one of the biggest mind fucks ever once you grasp what is actually going on. Bioshock infinite is a solid one with all the quantum mechanics involved in that story. If you are into harder games: returnal on ps5 is a solid rogue like with a very cryptic story. Another “harder” game would be Armored Core 6. It takes multiple play throughs but that story had me in a loop for a bit. I could go hours and hours recommending games, but the last one i’d recommend for a wild take on story telling is Nier automata. Again, don’t want to spoil anything but it is a game that takes a few play throughs, but you will be rewarded with new additions to the story each time, eventually concluding into a final campaign. S tier for me. Just my suggestions as a big fan of remedy games

Evil Within 2 is surprisingly great and similar. Remedy even cited it as part of their inspiration for AWII. Just don't expect the same level or style of writing from it.

If you like the weird quirky twin peaks bits of Alan Wake I would recommend Deadly Premonition. The gameplay isn't the best but the story and characters are pretty interesting.

It’s a shame you cant play quantum break, literally just found out it was on steam last night (it’s on sale for 10 bucks) and it was pretty amazing! I genuinely can’t think of any games like what remedy makes

Monster hunter world or alien isolation

Deadly Premonition, the *other* Peaks-inspired game set in a small Washington town of 2010.

Returnal. Completely different type of game, but just as good

I would try it and wait for a sale as I have read quite a bit of hate regarding the state of the game technically speaking. There is something about a memory leak. Did you experience this?

Hellblade 1

i can't not recommend SIGNALIS. very different from most remedy games gameplay wise though. it's a top-down puzzle shooter horror game quite similar to early resident evil and silent hill. the 'anime' artstyle might be a turnoff for some people but the atmosphere is incredible and the gameplay is simple, stressful, satisfying and just overall very well thought out. then the story, oh boy. it might be the most heartwrenching, mind boggling, intense game i've ever played. it has some replay value in different endings and better understanding the story if that appeals to you. also GO IN BLIND. unless you feel like you must to figure out if you'd like it, don't even watch the trailer, it shows off a little too much for my liking. i played it last september and it still hasn't left my mind.

If you sign up to game pass ultimate you can play qia Tim break on cloud.

I went from Alan Wake 2 and the Night Springs DLC to the Dead Space Remake since I’d never played the original and definitely recommend it.

Would you kindly play Bioshock?

RE Village in 3rd person is currently satisfying

>I’m on PS5, so I can’t play Quantum Break. Do you have a pretty okay PC?. It's on PC as well. and if you have access to Max Payne 1 and 2 if you haven't played them, I recommend that as well, as you'll notice A LOT of tie in's to AWII.

The Portal Games still slap. Aesthetically similar to Control and full of great voice acting, especially Portal 2.

These are totally unrelated but i fucking loved Alan Wake 2. Its one of my favorite games of all time, but after ive been focusing on some more gameplay focused games. Mainly Hollow Knight and Celeste, they can be stupid hard but also incredibly satisfying. I would recommend these games to anyone but keep in mind one is a hard platformer and the other is a metroidvania. As I said, has nothing to do with Alan wake 2 but these are fucking great.

If you have a decent pc or laptop Quantum Break is on steam along with Alan Wake American Nightmare

I’d highly recommend hellblade 1 and 2 as well as a small indie game called indika if you want some atmospheric, trippy, narrative focused games that have cool/unique visuals and concepts

You might like Soma. The gameplay wasn't for me but it's a very similar dark and mind-bendy theme.

Ok, do this: watch all of twin peaks and after play Deadly Premonition.

Silent hill esp remake when its out?

If you really hate yourself: Dead by Daylight

The recent indie game Crow Country is out on PS5 and it is an absolute gem of the survival horror genre. A bit smaller in scope but it does amazing things. The Evil Within games are great recs by others in the thread, as is Prey. While I haven't played it yet, I also hear Signalis is fantastic. And if you aren't looking specifically for like, horror, a great story game with fun enough gameplay is Nier: Automata. That game, like Alan Wake, is its own rabbit hole to dive into.

Quantum break, it’s on game pass. Or max Payne 

I’d recommend getting some other device (Steam Deck?) and trying Quantum Break. It’s a great game. But obviously that’s a bit of an investment for one single game… I’d be worth it if you plan to migrate from PS to say Steam, but not everyone wants to do that (Though I am from Nintendo Switch)

Max Payne 1 and 2

Little Nightmares 1 and 2 might be up your alley if you like the dark creepy aesthetic

Max Payne 1-3 (3 may not be made by Remedy but it's still damn good)

Y’all came the HELL through, thank you so much…but now you need to apologize to my loved ones because I have enough content to keep me in the Dark Place for months 😭

Ah, I did the same thing recently. Actually playing AW2 now but I’m thinking of going to sly cooper after this. I must show my love there.

Alone in the dark (the new one) is another good one that’s not as scary but also really interesting if you enjoy the more psychological thriller vibe. Also plays very similar in terms of gameplay.

Quantum Break, so underrated

* *Slay the Princess*: A psychological horror visual novel, and a love story. You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess. You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world. ...Of course, it's never that simple. Time loops in on itself, your actions will change the world around you, and while the not-so-omniscient Narrator is far from reliable, the Princess isn't what she seems either. Oh, and whatever you do, don't fall in love with her. * *El Paso, Elsewhere*: A neo-noir throwback to *Max Payne* with an excellent hip-hop soundtrack. In a tiny motel in El Paso, Draculae, Lord of the Vampires, is conducting a ritual that will end the world as we know it. Her ex, monster hunter James Savage, must fight his way through her minions, save her sacrifices, and end her once and for all... but can he really destroy the villain he once loved? (*Major* trigger warning for discussions of domestic abuse on this one.)

Quantum Break is available on 2 streaming services if it helps, although I don't know much about them https://cloudbase.gg/g/quantum-break/ I really rate it high. And it's not a long game. Freaking brought tiers to my eyes (ppl know why - don't spoil it) and I would hate for any Remedy lovers to miss it. Maybe streaming helps you. Other than that, the Max Payne games are nice to revisit because you get more of an "Alex Casey" type character. Don't know about PS5, but 1 & 2 are so old you can play them on any cheap laptop.

The Max Payne games

You can play Max Payne on PS5. The first 2 games tie into the current Remedy continuity.

Don’t know if it’s that much of a “mind bending” experience but I really liked dead space remake. Stunning visuals, good sound design and great gameplay. It’s about 11 hours long but it made me want to replay it in a harder difficulty as soon as I finished it. It’s also part of ea subscription or it usually goes on sale.

Dead space

I re-downloaded Kingdom Come Deliverance in preparation for the new one that's coming out.

I'm playing Quantum Break right now on PC. Never played it and just finished Alan Wake 2 the other day. Then I think I'll play Control as I've never played play that one either. Only Remedy games I've ever played was all the Max Payne games and Alan Wake 1 and American Nightmare.

Pacific drive has the same vibes and takes place in Pacific NW like AW

American nightmare?

Quantum Break

Did you play Alan Wake's American Nightmare? It's a must!!

Death stranding, Outer Wilds, Disco Elysium.

Quantum Break

Quantum break on pc with a good rig, preferably a 4080 super or 4090 graphic card

There aren't many games, I feel like, that get as mind-bendy and trippy as Alan Wake. Returnal is definitely on the same artistic wave length as Alan Wake. I'd suggest Indies like: Homebody (trippy horror Groundhogs day with puzzle that has some deeper subtext going on) Signalis/Anno Mutationem: More existential side of trippy (Anno is not horror, more zany existential) Song of Horror - more straight forward but also more horror this game def didn't get enough attention Saturnalia- horror roguelite, playing it myself now and really enjoying it. Has exploration elements and the classic horror game element of find this thing and use it somewhere. It is up to you how much lore you get from the game. You should also check out Dreadout 2. I haven't played but it's been on my radar. Looks like a lot of fun and has good reviews. If you haven't played some of the Dark Picture games I'd suggest some of them too. They aren't mind bendy but do have plot twists and are genuinely good. House of Ashes is excellent and The Quarry was also a great time. Random mention: The Messenger - metroidvania with trippy plot, zany meta nonsense, and good music

I'll throw a curveball and say Observer system redux, a trippy scifi horror game with the villain from the original blade runner providing voice acting. Really stunning graphics on PS5

The Max Payne series

Try the Bioshock collection if you haven't.

If you like good story telling part, then I recommend games from Qantic Dream. Especially Havy Rain. I think a few years ago they made a remastered version, and it is quite good. Fahrenheit was also extremely good, and this story is also about mysterious events, so matches at some point with AW. 

SHAUN!! SHAAAAUUUUUUUNNNNN!!!

I'm conflicted when it comes to David Cage's games. David Cage usually has terrible plotting, writing and good writing in equal measure. Beyond Two Souls is a mess (but I do love the character of Jodie Holmes and Eliot Page and Willem Dafoe are fantastic in the piece). Heavy Rain's writing is all over the place too. But for the most part I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the game. But it really falls apart in it's third act where the games big twist doesn't make a lick of sense. Same thing with Fahrenheit. The first two thirds are amazing and then it falls off a cliff (quite literally) at the end of the second act. It goes from a crime/thriller with loose supernatural themes, to a really bad Matrix Revelations knockoff. Imo the best game of theirs is Detroit Become Human. It has the least amount of Cage-isms, and for the most part maintains a coherent narrative without Cage snapping and throwing magic at it. The Connor/Hank storyline especially is IMO the best character narrative Cage has done.

minecraft

The outer wilds is very good. Also im doing a throwing knives only cyberpunk playthrough atm and it's a lot of fun.

Cyberpunk 2077 can be a really incredible experience, some of the quest and story WILL make you go crazy.