Summary
Survival horror has never really been a niche genre, but it’d be true to say that few new IPs are able to successfully break into it and make a name for themselves likeResident EvilorSilent Hillhave. That’s sometimes a result of games relying too much on their inspirations likeThe Callisto Protocoldid, but also likeThe Callisto Protocolit usually comes down to a game not being confident or engaging with the new features it presents. That’s why a game likeAlan Wake 2is a rare breed—having a straightforward enough path to survival horror from its predecessor, it is undivided and unabashed in its direction.
It’s questionablewhetherAlan Wake 2’s story ends up making any more sensethan the original’s, though that’s sort of forgiven when considering that’s what the surrealist psychological thriller genre affords. Its efforts in survival-horror gameplay are truly remarkable by adapting what’s become popular in modern titles of that ilk, and while the firstAlan Wakewas more of a niche, cult hit, its sequel will never be considered as such due to it being up for Game of the Year. Now would be the perfect time for another survival-horror cult IP,The Evil Within, to be reinvented in the same way.
Alan Wake 2 Should Stir The Evil Within Back to Life
Survival Horror Helped Birth Alan Wake 2 Anew
Alan Wake 2probably would’ve been received well if it had dug down deeper into action-adventure roots and didn’t bother exploring the survival-horror genre but taking advantage of how successful survival horror has been lately would’ve been an easy choice to make. Remedy has always been gifted at bizarre storytelling with convoluted science-fiction and thriller tropes, and therefore angling its newAlan Wakegame into survival horror was a no-brainer.
Still, it’s remarkable how Remedy has grown as a developer sinceAlan Wake. While its catalog might be why many Remedy fans were interested in playing the sequel, it also helped that survival horror is a popular genre.
Remedy’s more than earned itself a household name, butAlan Wakewas likely its least popular game or at least the one with the biggest cult hit status, rather than games likeMax PayneorControlthat have had a much wider audience and a greater general reception. TheAlan Wakeremaster clearly proved to be a refresher of the IP leading up to its eventual sequel, andControl’s DLC involving Wakeshowed how crucial the franchise would be to Remedy’s connected universe.
The Evil Within Deserves a Survival-Horror Renewal
To be fair,The Evil Withinhas always been in the survival-horror genre. The original was arguably much more grainy and macabre while the sequel was more narrative- and character-driven, but its most distinct trait was how claustrophobic it was.The Evil Within 2was still fairly linear but introduced a mini-open-world map for players to explore. If any franchise has leftover potential that has not yet been picked up on it’s surelyThe Evil Within, and a third game or hard reboot could take theResident Evil-flavored IP in stunning directions.
Unfortunately, while Tango Gameworks has since gone on to drastically change its tone and direction withGhostwire: TokyoandHi-Fi Rush, it’s uncertain ifThe Evil Withinwill ever be taken off the shelf and revived in any capacity. It wouldn’t even need to feature Sebastian Castellanos again since a new protagonist and setting would make sense after the closure Sebastian received inThe Evil Within 2, but a rehashing ofThe Evil Withinnonetheless would be a welcome survival-horror treat depending on how it adapts its designs to modern sensibilities.
The Evil Within
WHERE TO PLAY
Developed by Shinji Mikami – creator of the seminal Resident Evil series – and the talented team at Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within embodies the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story are combined to create an immersive world that will bring you to the height of tension. With limited resources at your disposal, you’ll fight for survival and experience profound fear in this perfect blend of horror and action.While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder, Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his partners encounter a mysterious and powerful force. After seeing the slaughter of fellow officers, Sebastian is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he awakens, he finds himself in a deranged world where hideous creatures wander among the dead.Facing unimaginable terror, and fighting for survival, Sebastian embarks on a frightening journey to unravel what’s behind this evil force.
