Should I Play Control Before Alan Wake 2?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want the fullest possible context for Alan Wake 2’s world. Control introduces the Federal Bureau of Control, a secret agency that investigates paranormal phenomena, and establishes the Oldest House, Altered World Events, and the bureaucratic machinery that appears in later Remedy titles. Playing Control first helps you recognize returning concepts, organizations, and characters when they surface in Alan Wake 2.
• Good fit: You enjoy action-adventure games with supernatural abilities and do not mind a genre shift. Control offers telekinetic powers, shape-shifting weapons, and Metroidvania-style exploration. If that style appeals to you, it is a worthwhile experience before moving into the slower, survival-horror pacing of Alan Wake 2.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You have limited time and your main goal is simply to play Alan Wake 2. Control is a substantial game, and completing its story plus the AWE expansion can take many hours. If you are trying to start Alan Wake 2 soon, forcing yourself through Control may feel like a chore rather than a meaningful prelude.
• Warning sign: You strongly prefer pure survival horror over action-heavy gameplay. Control leans into fast-paced combat, platforming, ability upgrades, and backtracking through a large interconnected map. That structure is quite different from the tense, resource-limited atmosphere of Alan Wake 2, and playing Control first might set the wrong expectations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It explains key lore threads that carry into Alan Wake 2. The AWE expansion in particular bridges events from the original Alan Wake and shows how the Federal Bureau of Control monitors the Dark Presence, giving you a smoother entry into the sequel’s story.
• It lets you experience the Remedy Connected Universe in a more chronological and rewarding order. Events in Control reference Alan Wake, while Alan Wake 2 later references Control; playing in this sequence can make callbacks, cameos, and shared terminology feel more meaningful.

Cons

• It demands a significant time investment before you reach Alan Wake 2. Between the base campaign, side missions, and the AWE expansion, Control can easily stretch across 20 to 30 hours or more, delaying your start on the sequel and possibly creating fatigue.
• It is a different genre with a different protagonist. You play as Jesse Faden in Control, not Alan Wake, and the tone shifts from bureaucratic sci-fi mystery to surreal horror. Some players may find the jump in style jarring if they were expecting something closer to the original Alan Wake experience.

Decision Checklist

• Have I already played Alan Wake Remastered? The original Alan Wake is the most direct narrative predecessor to Alan Wake 2, so it is usually the higher priority if you are short on time.
• Do I value deep lore over immediate access? If you love connected universes and hidden references, Control is a strong complement; if you just want the sequel’s main story, you can likely skip it or use a recap.
• Will I actually finish Control and its AWE expansion? Starting Control only makes sense if you will reach the expansion content, since that is where most of the Alan Wake crossover material appears.

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about committing to Control, several lower-friction options exist. The most direct alternative is to play Alan Wake Remastered first and then start Alan Wake 2; this covers the essential backstory for Alan’s journey without the action-adventure detour. You can also watch a concise story recap of Control and its AWE expansion online, which captures the key lore points without the gameplay time. Another option is to play Alan Wake 2 first and return to Control afterward if you find yourself wanting more of the universe; the sequel includes enough context for newcomers to follow its plot. Finally, if you only want the Control-related lore, reading a plot summary of the AWE expansion may be sufficient.

Final Recommendation

Play Control before Alan Wake 2 if you have the time, enjoy action-adventure games, and want the richest possible understanding of the Remedy Connected Universe. Make sure to include the AWE expansion, since that is where the most important Alan Wake crossover content appears. If you are pressed for time or mostly interested in the horror story of Alan Wake 2, prioritize Alan Wake Remastered first, then jump into the sequel. You can always return to Control later. For any high-stakes purchasing decisions or if you have specific accessibility or content concerns, consult official store pages, reviews, and community resources before buying.