Why Alan Wake and Alice in Control Resonant Make So Much Sense

One of the most anticipated games of the year—Control Resonant, developed by Remedy Entertainment—will finally release this week. Critics’ reviews of the studio’s new project were recently unveiled, confirming that we’re in for a high-quality product. All that’s left is for players to see for themselves, and for the studio to hope for strong financial results.

As is well known, the events of Control Resonant take place in the same universe as Remedy’s previous project, Alan Wake II, which was released in 2023. It’s interesting to see how the studio weaves events into its games when it comes to future releases. For instance, the original Control brought Alan Wake back in the DLC called AWE, while Alan Wake II featured several characters who had previously appeared in Control. Not to mention that The Lake House, an expansion for the 2023 game, contained a teaser for Control: Resonant long before the game was announced. Thus, something similar regarding Remedy’s future project can be expected in the upcoming game—and fans are predicting that it will be a hint at Alan Wake III.

This may be particularly relevant given the events of Alan Wake II and how the story of the title character and his wife, Alice, ended. We remember how the writer’s beloved faked her own suicide and claimed to have been working with the Federal Bureau of Control—the main government organization from the original Control. Considering that Resonant is expected to reveal more about the FBC, perhaps through documents or characters. It’s possible the protagonist, Dylan, or his sister Jesse, might even be able to interact with her in person, since the game’s events take place in Manhattan, which is directly linked to New York; to be precise, the events of Alan Wake II partially unfold in an alternate version of New York, or more specifically, a New York from another dimension.

Speaking of Alan Wake, it would also make sense for him to appear in Control: Resonant—or at least be mentioned. As we recall, he, along with Saga Anderson and Alex Casey, managed to defeat Scratch and the Dark Presence in Alan Wake II; after that, the hero himself remained in the Dark Place, where he become the Master of Many Worlds—meaning he is able to control his mind, alter the situation within the Dark Presence, and much more. Given the events of Alan Wake II, the FBC will likely want to find out all the details of what happened and perhaps contact the writer directly in some way.

Just imagine a scenario where Dylan or Jesse somehow get in touch with or find Alice, and the FBC contacts Alan Wake to ask him to reveal more about the Dark Presence. At the same time, the developers could hint that Alan is working on a new book about his search for his wife. Their meeting shouldn’t take place in Control: Resonant, since the big moment is supposed to happen in Alan Wake III. Interestingly, Remedy recently renewed the “Alan Wake Returns” trademark, and fans are hoping this is related to the third installment of the game, even though the studio hasn’t announced anything yet.

In any case, the fact that Alan Wake and Control are part of the same universe already implies Resonant will be connected in some way to the second installment of the writer’s adventures. Moreover, it has already been reported the game will include hints about the future, including upcoming adaptations in the form of TV series and movies. And the presence/mention of Alice and Alan Wake in Control: Resonant isn’t just fan service—it’s a logical move from a plot perspective and sets the stage for the future.

Control Resonant will release on September 24 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.