Those of you who have finally worked your way through Alan Wake's ending will have no doubt been confused and perplexed by the ending cinematic.
Remedy said that the ending wouldn't quite tie everything up and they weren't exaggerating.
A lot of the ending will no doubt be explained by the forthcoming DLC - The Signal is confirmed for July 27th, with The Writer another DLC episode promised at a later date. It could also by explained a possible sequel as well. We'll have to wait and see.
But for now, here are the theories floating around on the ending and what it could mean...
Alan Wake Creates Mr. Scratch
The main theory that most fans seem to accept is that in the 1970s, Tom Zane lost his wife/lover Barbara Jagger, with the Dark Presence then telling Zane he could bring her back to life by writing her into existence. For Zane, it was a chance to bring back Barbara. For the Dark Presence, it was a chance to pounce on his story, edit it and further spread its influence.
When writing the story, Zane broke the rules of 'balance' (which Alan mentions towards the end of the game) by trying to write a happily-ever-after ending. The Dark Presence then took over his story, bringing back a heartless Barbara who has been taken over by the Dark Presence.
Zane manages to escape the darkness, so the Dark Presence needs another writer. It manipulates Alan Wake into writing the manuscript by killing Alice in Alan's eyes (the drowning in the lake), even though she is still alive. When Alan realises this, he changes the manuscript so Alice is released while he remains in the cabin - this is the sacrifice required to maintain the balance that Zane never achieved with his story.
"It's Not A Lake... It's An Ocean"
This is Alan Wake's last line of the game and arguably the most confusing. Some of tied it back to one of Tom Zane's early bits of dialogue: "For he did not know, that beyond the lake he called home, lies a deeper, darker ocean green." However, despite linking the two by what they say, no-one has come up with a concrete theory as to what Zane's speech/Wake's realisation means.
It could also be Alan Wake realising that the Dark Presence extends far beyond Bright Falls. Another theory is that Alan Wake has come up with the latest 'twist' in his manuscript, that will take the DLC/sequel to the ocean or coast.
Alice Survives, Alan Dies?
Another important thing to notice at the end is that Alice survives. The story is pushed forward by Alan thinking that he's lost Alice in it turns out that she survives, when she clambers onto shore having almost drowned. She's calling out for Alan, so he's apparently nowhere to be seen.
So what has become of Alan? This ties back into what was said earlier, that Alan is the one who sacrifices himself to ensure Alice survives. Slightly barmier theory doing the rounds - Alan Wake is happy to take the place of Tom Zane because he is Tom Zane's son, which explains why Zane knew so much about Wake and also fits Alan explaining that he never knew who his father was. Hmmm... It Was All Just A Dream?
Highly unlikely, of course, unless Remedy wants to risk the wrath of its newly found fans after taking so long making the game. But who is Alice saying "wake up Alan" to at the end? Or is it just Remedy's way of adding more ambiguity to the ending? Gasp! The drama!
Let us know your comments and thoughts on the ending... we're probably way off-base with some of it or perhaps you agree, but any discussion is good discussion so tell us what you think!
18 comments so far...
a211andrew on 27 May '10 said:
I didn't get it at all. I thought Alan wasn't real and that he was just a part of tom's story who was in the cabin.
yeah etc on 27 May '10 said:
The story is utter nonsense, almost embarrassing. I was cringing every time I read a manuscript page - the writing is terrible, maybe it's supposed to be.
Alan Wake was a strange experience. There is so much wrong with it (terrible writing / story, ugly character models, stereotypical characters, massive screen tearing during daylight levels, bit easy, AWFUL vehicle sections) yet I had a lot of fun regardless. Really loved the flashlight element and it was pretty tense at times. Running through the forest with no batteries / ammo was nerve wracking.
Finished it now and glad I played it but got £25 trade in and I'm hopefully going to get RDR for £15 tonight!
codball on 27 May '10 said:
I really think games are going too far with DLC these days, the games are getting shorter and yet are costing the same - then comes along DLC which is an extra cost on top.
The producers of Alan Wake have taken it a step further and have neglected to wrap up the story and instead release the DLC to do that for them. So instead of the RRP being £39.99 or £49.99 you're looking at an extra £10-15 on top to get the complete story.
rosst on 27 May '10 said:
that mister scratch theory is bull...alan even says he wrote his escape into the story when he realised what was going on because zane helped him...my theory is that thomas zane wrote all this to happen so alan coming to bright falls is his destiny...he then sacrificed him self to restore the balance and what he believes will detroy the darkness for good but then he realises its an ocean and its gonna take much more to defeat it...i reckon the DLC will hopefully be alan trying to find away to contact barry or his wife and then finally escaping...then in alan wake 2 the darkness escapes and he has to go on the run...that would be awesome
TG12345 on 27 May '10 said:
Couldn't agree more! I was so disappointed with this game, I knew it was pants within the first few minutes of playing it. The story was so lame and confusing, considering they have had FIVE YEARS to develop it. And as for having to wait for the DLC to explain a bit more, I cant be bothered - do I really care what happens to Alan Wake? Not really, I couldn't empathise with the character at all. And the manuscripts made no sense - especially if you missed one or two, which is inevitable as they are hidden up.
I've traded mine in, got £30 for it from HMV and bought RDR for a tenner. Within 5 minutes of playing it the difference between the two games in terms of quality is obvious. If you haven't bought Alan Wake yet, don't bother, wait for it to be in the bargain basement in a years time.
anxiousman on 27 May '10 said:
Was there not another Alan Wake at the end that was going out into the world? I missed the dialogue that 'explained' that aspect, may even have hallucinated the whole thing!!
pauloselhombre on 27 May '10 said:
Wow, there's a lot of people here who don't know what good storytelling is. Let me guess, Alan Wake was rubbish but Resident Evil 5, GTA4 and Modern Warfare 2 were all masterpieces? Good lord. I suppose it's to be expected when some of the best storytelling in this console generation has been from FPSes.
The official Alan Wake forums have a thread full of people discussing the ending for those who are actually interested.
Oh, for pete's sake. The ending was complete. Anyone who has ever watched a decent TV show will have seen that kind of ending many times over. The main storyline was resolved while setting up more questions ready for the sequel. The DLC is not the 'true ending', or just there to explain the end of Episode 6. The Mr Scratch theory mentioned here is one of many, and Remedy are neither denying or confirming any of them. The theory posted here is not 'bull', nobody knows for sure. Go check the forums out and you'll see that there are many theories that all have convincing arguments both for and against them.
ryzzzer on 27 May '10 said:
i agree the story was fantastic but on top of that you actually felt involved in the story playing the game even at the dullest moments.
As for "Its not a lake ots an ocean" a took this to be the dark prescence controlling alan to write its stretch beyond Brightfalls
pauloselhombre on 28 May '10 said:
It's too much to post here, but my theory is on this page:
http://forum.alanwake.com/showthread.php?t=3669&page=12
a211andrew on 28 May '10 said:
GTA4 had a brilliant story which also needed DLC to explain it all. I thought Alan wake was really good but when everyone is confused by what happened, that's not really a good ending. Just like modern warfare 2. That game made no sense and it wasn't because the story was good.
EdDeRs1 on 28 May '10 said:
i wonder if it will go all "ashes to ashes" at the end and it turns out that bright falls is simply where your decisions are made that sent to to heaven or hell.....
if it is that will be a crap ending!!!!!
veedlemonster on 28 May '10 said:
erm... spoiler warning?
thankgod i watched the last Ashes to Ashes yesterday
a211andrew on 28 May '10 said:
Isn't that just what earth is supposed to be anyway to religious people?
dan5773 on 8 Jun '10 said:
I'm with pauloselhombre on this one. As far as I was concerned, the main story thread of Alan Wake (i.e. rescuing Alice from the depths of the lake) was resolved. She was saved. What happens to Alan is kind of by the by for the main story. So, for me, I felt there was resolution.
Yes, some (ok, a lot) of the dialogue and ideas were a bit corny in the game, but it was based on/ around pulp fiction for the masses. It even starts with a Stephen King quote, so I wasn't expecting Shakespeare.
For me, the fact that the games ending is generating discussion, like Lost or Twin Peaks, is a great thing. Combine the mythology of the game with the 'Alan Wake Files' book received with the Limited Edition, and the 'Bright Falls' series on XBox Live (which I thought was superb) and you have a very rich, albeit trashy universe.
Roll on the DLC and, hopefully, roll on Alan Wake 2. Personally, I'm looking forward to heading back to Bright Falls.
dewbers on 24 Aug '10 said:
To be fair I just shit meself too many times in this game to really worry about the story.
LiaamDude on 11 Sep '10 said:
In my opinion i believe the game is open to interpretation. Eg the show LOST didnt have a specific ending/plot, it was all open to interpretation.
although i have heard rumours of a sequel to alan wake which may tie up loose ends.
without a sequel, it must be how the player sees it.
everyone has a different interpretation soo..
LiaamDude
DUBB3D F4M0US on 8 Oct '11 said:
All in all it was a cool game but to go through hours of gameplay just to find out the ending is a mystery is VERY frustrating!!!
KernowDevil23 on 9 Oct '11 said:
Yaaay! I've just found the button to change my font size! Now I can write in huge letters. Result!!!