'Control: AWE (2020)' is the second expansion to the base game, one which finally confirms the existence of Remedy Connected Universe. With a title that stands for both 'Altered World Event' and 'Alan Wake Expansion', the experience crosses over with 'Alan Wake (2010)' in a big way as Jesse finds herself being communicated with by the long-missing writer and tasked with tracking down a familiar Taken in an as-yet-sealed-off wing of the FBC building. For fans of Remedy's shadow-based shooter, this is a real treat as it basically acts as a semi-sequel to that game while also teasing towards the existence of the proper sequel which would be announced and then released later. It continues Alan's story in a relatively small but satisfying way, and provides answers as to the fate of his wife Alice and his would-be therapist Dr. Hartman. It is unmistakably an expansion to 'Control (2019)', though, and if anything it proves just how compatible the atmospheres of the two series are. It does so while retaining the distinct gameplay that marks this as much more kinetic and action-based than the more overtly horrific 'Alan Wake (2010)', scratching the itch both of a sequel to that older title and just more of this one. The gameplay is largely unchanged but it does incorporate elements of light and dark that will be familiar to those who've already experienced the writer's journey in Bright Falls. It doesn't fundamentally change the mechanics, or even really introduce any new ones, but it uses them in a slightly different way and provides you with a new challenge in the process. The story isn't all that consequential, but it doesn't really need to be. This is, as I mentioned, more of the same. Thankfully, that simply means it's just as good as the base game. It's a really satisfying experience overall, and I think it's potentially the more interesting of the two expansions.
