Remedy is known for its meta-narratives and intricately detailed worlds. Fans are familiar with this, and a hidden QR code demonstrates just how forward-thinking the Finnish developers are.
In Alan Wake, there are QR codes that can be scanned to gain additional content and plot information. They’re not essential, but they’re nice to find if you’re interested in knowing all the details of the Remedy Connected Universe. Alan Wake Remastered, released in 2021, features the same gimmick, though there are new codes thrown in.
Some of the new QR codes describe Alan’s time in the Dark Place, foreshadowing what we’ve seen of the location in Alan Wake 2. The code found in Chapter 4 links you to Vision 03 which appears to perfectly narrate the opening sequence of the sequel.
Alan describes a dark forest where a nude man walks, terrified. He sees a deer carcass on the ground, his fear heightens, and he runs deeper into the forest. This is exactly what happens at the start of the sequel which has you controlling Nightingale, naked, as he finds his way through the woods. A YouTuber has played the QR audio over the scene to illustrate the parallels.
This isn’t the only Easter egg that Remedy has hidden in prior games. If you visit the Oceanview Motel in Control, you’ll spot a door with a spiral on it, which is one of the main motifs of Alan Wake 2. Go as far back as Quantum Break and you’ll find live-action scenes featuring Alex Casey and a female FBI agent, which seems to foreshadow Alex and Saga’s role in Remedy’s latest game.
There are likely plenty more secrets hidden within Alan Wake 2 which we’ll get to explore more with the upcoming release of NG+. There are also two DLCs set to arrive in 2024, with Night Springs arriving in Spring and Lake House arriving later.
