While Return 1: Invitation is technically the second chapter ofAlan Wake 2,the first chapter is so briefthat it may as well be considered an interactive cutscene. As players beginReturn 1: Invitation, they will learn more about the mechanics ofAlan Wake 2along with what they will be doing as Saga.
During this chapter, players are introduced to Cauldron Lake and the nearby town known as Brightfalls. While it is a fairly straight forward chapter, there is a lot of investigation and searching that players will need to do in order to progress the story.
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Go Forward
After players select a difficulty (and adjust other settings as needed), a cutscene will start. After Alan is done talking, players will take control of a mysterious man who appears to have lost his clothes. The only option players have is to simply walk forward along the path in front of them. Eventually players will encounter a group of shadowy individuals. While players can run from them, they cannot escape. This triggers a cutscene and the prologue ends.
Check the Map
After a series of cutscenes thatintroduce Saga Andersonand her partner Alex Casey, players will take control of Saga. The first thing players should do is approach the map. This gives players access to a map of the area that can be opened at anytime. This also unlocks an achievement/trophy as well.
Follow the sound of voices and approach Deputy Mulligan, talk to him to progress the story. During this conversation, players will have two dialogue options that they can choose from. The option that is bolded progresses the story while the non-bolded option gives players a little extra information.
The Mind Place
Once the conversation with Deputy Mulligan ends, go through the hole in the fence. Before players can go any further, they will have to go through a tutorial for Saga’s Mind Place. This separate area can be accessed at anytime, and it allows players to look at any evidence they have found so far.
Find Thorton at the General Store
While following the path toward the General Store, look for a set of stairs to the right. On the ground is an old newspaper that players can read. When ready, continue going through the forest. Eventually, players will come across a set of broken stairs. Jump down and examine the nearby sign to learn more about Mirror Peak.
Open the map and go west to find another sign with information about Mortar Falls. Turn around and go left to find a lunchbox thatcontains Manuscript Fragments. Manuscript Fragments can be used to upgrade weapons, so players will want to keep an eye out for more of these.
Return to where Casey is waiting and continue following this path through the forest. When players see a sign pointing towards the General Store, they will know they are on the right track. Approach Thorton and then follow him to the crime scene.
Examine the Body
As players approach the body, they will have the option to examine the body. This gives them a Key Image, which can be placed on the board in the Mind Place. Go to the case board and go through a brief tutorial about placing items on the board. Leave the Mind Place and examine the body for clues.
Once all three clues have been found, go back to the Mind Place and place the three photos to the right of the question. To progress the investigation, players will need to find evidence regarding the killers and the victims.
To do this, players will need to examine wherever there is a card with a number. They will also have to speak with Thorton to learn more about the identity of the latest victim. Talk to Casey as well to get another piece of evidence while also learning more about the victim, Nightingale.
After the section about the victim and the killers have both been completed, players will need to find two more pieces of evidence to determine if the murder was premeditated or spontaneous. All evidence for this part of the investigation can be found by the cooler with the empty beer bottles. When all the evidence has been placed on the board, go to the table in the middle of the roomto begin profilingNightingale. By profiling, players can obtain another piece of evidence. Place it on the board and leave the Mind Place.
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Go to the Lake
Saga is able to deduce that Nightingale came from the lake, but she can’t learn anything else until she goes there herself. Follow Casey, but keep an eye out for a path that leads up toward the Witch’s Hut. Go across the bridge and open a cooler to find two Battery Packs. Turn right and move forward to find another lunch box containing Manuscript Fragments.
Return to Casey and continue following him toward the lake. Along the way, players will see a sign witha very familiar looking woman. Ahead of the sign, the path forward will appear to be blocked. Approach it and examine it to find tracks and a paper. Examine both to progress the story.
After the cutscene ends, return to the Mind Place and attach the evidence to the board. Players will also be able to profile Nightingale again to learn more and gain another piece of evidence.
If players have found any lunch boxes, they can place photos of them on the evidence board to track how many they have found so far. This has nothing to do with the main story, but it is certainly a fun way to track collectibles.
Return to Thorton
With the realization that something was put inside Nightingale, head back to the crime scene and speak to Thorton. He agrees to move the body to the morgue and gives players a key that will give them access to a shortcut that leads back to the parking lot.
While going back toward the parking lot, approach the FBC Station. Climb up the ledge behind it to find another lunch box. Return to Casey and keep following him back up toward the parking lot.
Use the key to open another locked gate and continue going up the path. Approach the car and interact with it to trigger a cutscene. Once the cutscene is over, players will be in the town known as Brightfalls. Approach the map that is directly ahead and off to the right. This will unlock the map for the town, so players can see where they are.
Brightfalls
The Oh Deer diner is not particularly difficult to spot, as it has a giant sign that players can see. Approach the sheriff and talk to him. Following that, go into the diner and speak to the couple on the right side. Once players have asked all the questions they can, they will have a new profiling option for the Bookers in the Mind Place. After profiling them, speak to the couple again.
Pick up the necklace on the table to trigger a cutscene featuring a familiar face from the first game. Before leaving the diner, return to the Mind Place and start the case about the Cult of the Tree. After that, leave the diner and speak with the sheriff. Follow him to the station where the morgue is located.
Examine the Body Again
There are five pieces of evidence that players can acquire by examining the heart, head, wound, shoulder, and hand of the corpse. Once all five pieces have been gathered, return to the Mind Place. Switch to the Murder at Cauldron Lake case and place the five pieces of evidence as depicted in the screenshot above. Leave the Mind Place and interact with the corpse to trigger a cutscene.
Find the Gun
Players will need tomove to the light ASAP. If Nightingale catches them they die instantly. Wait in the light until Nightingale goes back into the room on the left. Go toward the doorway with the exit sign on the right and go down the hall toward where the gun is on the floor. As soon as the gun is picked up, Nightingale will slowly approach. Shoot him until he disappears, which triggers a cutscene.
Talk to Casey
Naturally, both Casey and Saga are a little shaken after Nightingale suddenly got up and went on a rampage. Talk to Casey and then pick up the manuscript page next to one of the dead deputies. Talk to Nightingale again and then go to the Mind Place to place the newly acquired evidence. After placing all the evidence, talk to Casey again. After making a plan to return to Cauldron Lake, follow Casey out of the morgue. Go back to the car to trigger a cutscene that brings the current chapter to a close.
Alan Wake 2is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
