Alan Wake 2: How to play as Alan? Alan Wake 2 guide, walkthrough

Saga Anderson is the character you will start the gameplay of Alan Wake 2. From the guide you will learn how to unlock the playable character of the writer, what is the general division of stages and whether passing the chapters of Saga is required to finish the game.

Last update: 26 October 2023

In Alan Wake 2, the titular writer isn't the only playable character. On this guide page, we explain how to gain access to Alan, what the division of gameplay between Saga and Alan looks like, and whether completing episodes playing as Saga is mandatory in order to reach the finale.

• Saga Anderson as the first playable character
• How to gain access to Alan Wake?
• Do you need to play as Saga and what is the chapter division?

Saga Anderson as the first playable character

1. After the short prologue, you'll take control of Saga Anderson - an FBI agent who, together with her partner Alex Casey, is investigating the Cauldron Lake murder case, potentially linked to a series of other brutal murders.
2. Saga is the only playable character for the first few hours of the game. While playing as her, you'll visit various locations in Cauldron Lake and in the town of Bright Falls.

How to gain access to Alan Wake?

1. You have to deal with Saga Anderson story line called Return. While completing the Return 2, the protagonist must face the first main boss.
2. Shortly after the fight with the boss, Saga will meet Alan Wake, but he won't immediately become a playable character.

1. A little later, you'll automatically switch to Alan Wake and the game will allow you to control him. You'll start Alan Wake's storyline titled Initiation.
2. You should remember from the first installment of the series that Wake is trapped in the Dark Place. This means that you will be visiting completely different locations, and it's primarily a darker version of New York.

Do you need to play as Saga and what is the chapter division?

1. After you advance further in the game, the option to switch between playable characters will be unlocked. This will allow you to choose the order of the chapters. You may occasionally switch to the other character or guide the story to a point where selecting the second character becomes necessary.
2. The total gameplay time as Saga and as Alan is comparable, meaning these characters have a similar amount of content and number of chapters.
3. You cannot beat the game by completing only the Alan Wake chapters. You also need to take care of all Saga episodes so the FBI agent can finish all the main investigations.