Remedy loves putting easter eggs in its games to imply connections between all the titles in its catalog.UponControl’srelease,it became clear that some of these were more than references and now the 2019 action-adventure title andAlan Waketake place in the same universe.
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Any fan who playedAlan Wake Remasteredin addition to all the other Remedy games is sure to notice the details listed below. To those who have not playedMax PayneandControl, these nuances seem inconsequential. However, fans appreciate these nods to theearly 2000s third-person shooterand the way 2019’sControlplays off of moments from the 2010 cult classic.
9James McCaffrey Is In Control and Max Payne
Thomas Zane is played by James McCaffrey,who first rose to prominence in the gaming scene by voicing the lead character inMax Payne. His most notable live-action role is perhaps an extended sting onRescue Me.
InControlhe plays Director Trench, communicating with Jesse Faden from beyond the grave.Controlis notable because his character looks exactly like him in real life.
8Sam Lake
Alan Wake’slast episode begins with a flashback where Alan Wake watches himself on a TV appearance. Sitting next to him on the talk show isAlan Wake’swriter and creative director of Remedy Entertainment Sam Lake.
He is so familiar to gamers not only because of his writing talents, but also because hewas the face model for Max Payne in the debut entry. The face he made has become just as iconic as the game and the studio.
7American Nightmare Talks About Ordinary Years Before Control’s Existance
There is a hidden message in the credits toAlan Wake’s American Nightmarewhich reads out “It will happen again in another town, a town called ordinary”. The altered world event Jesse Faden experiences in her childhood that brings the FBC into her life takes place in a town called Ordinary.
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It is hard to tell if this is what that message was meaning back when the standalone expansion came out, but the connection is cool nonetheless. Unfortunately,American Nightmareis not available onAlan Wake Remastered.
6Barry Wheeler Is The Same Voice Actor As Vinnie Gognitti
Barry Wheeler is Alan Wake’s agent and one of the only people he can trust. It is quite easy to tell he is from the northeast United States with his unique accent.
It is wholly appropriate, then, that he is played by Fred Berman, the same actor who plays Vinnie Gognitti inMax Payne 2.Despite being a gangster inMax Payne, Vinnie is the comedic relief and players end up sympathizing with him a little bit by the end.
5Alan Wake’s Voice Actor Is Also Dr. Darling From Control
Alan Wake is voiced by Matthew Porretta, though a different actor provide the likeness. If his voice sounds familiar,that’s because Matthew Porretta also played Dr. Darling inControl.
The latter game not only uses his likeness but his role is mostly done in live-action cutscenes Jesse watches while investigating the Oldest House. It’ll be weird if the two characters ever meet up and share a scene.
4The Old Gods Of Asgard Are In Control
Alan Wake meets some old people in Dr. Hartman’s lodge who were in a band called the Old Gods of Asgard. Their old house is an integral part ofAlan Wake’sstory.
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The band’s music is performed by Poets of the Fall, who have a song inMax Payne 2as well. The band returns forControl, playing the song Take Control for the scene where players go through the ashtray maze.
3The Names Of The Books Are Chapters From Max Payne
Alan Wake’s job of a writer is a vital part of the game’s story. Players can see the titles of several of his books when they are walking through hisNew York apartmentduring flashbacks.
Some of the titles include The Things That I Want and What I Can’t Forget, which are all chapter titles from theMax Paynegames. One of them is also called The Fall of Casey, which is a reference toMax Payne 2’ssubtitle,The Fall of Max Payne. The font of the books even resembles the font and design ofMax Payne 2.
2The Manuscripts Narrated By James McCaffrey
The second episode opens with a flashback inside Alan’s apartment. The two manuscripts players collect here tell a different story than the other pages and are narrated by James McCaffrey.
The story is a clear nod toMax Payneand could be seen as a conclusion to the character’s story. Fortunately, Max Payne returned properly in 2012thanks to Rockstar Games’Max Payne 3.
1Thomas Zane Really Might Not Exist In The Real World
InControlJesse mentions a verse written by Thomas Zane in an audiolog from a therapy session. This is a reference to the character fromAlan Wakewho is played by James McCaffrey. The interesting thing about this exchange is the therapist insisting that Thomas Zane does not exist.
Jesse insists this is a government cover up. During Thomas Zane’s crisis in the 70s, he ended up writing himself out of existance. How Jesse Faden knows him is a mystery, but it might have something to do with her connection to Polaris.
Alan Wake Remasteredis out now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
