Ever played a game made by a studio and it led you to play their other games?

As a lover of compelling stories, I value narratives that hook you from the beginning and hold you through every twist and turn, making you lose track of time. For me, Remedy’s games deliver this level of immersion with stories that evoke emotion, provoke thought, and encourage discussion. On Christmas 2023, I  finally played the game recommended by my bestfriend which sparked my love for Remedy’s unique style.

When I first played a Remedy game, it set off a journey through all their titles, revealing a studio with a profound talent for narrative-driven, atmospheric games. Remedy Entertainment, a Finnish company, is recognized for combining unique storytelling with gameplay that pushes boundaries, creating immersive experiences that engage players on multiple levels.

Here, I’ll share the Remedy games that captivated me and led to my appreciation for the studio’s distinct approach to game design. You’d be surprised to find familiar titles that you used to play are made by them too.

Alan Wake (2010)

Alan Wake is an action-adventure that focuses on psychological horror where you play as a troubled best-selling novelist, Alan Wake, who’s searching for his wife who went missing during their two-week vacation in the eerie town of Bright Falls. While looking for his wife, he finds himself trapped in a nightmare where his stories come to life. Spooky, right?

What makes this game unique is its episodic structure. If you end up getting busy in life and you forget where you are in the game, it will give you a “previously on” recap in every episode which allows you to jump back into the story immediately. In the game, you will use a flashlight to fend off creatures while looking for manuscripts lying around as you search for your missing wife. If you make Alan run for a long time, you’ll see him getting out of breath, which I think is a nice touch. Inspired heavily the TV shows like Twin Peaks and Twilight Zone, Alan Wake became a cult classic which garnered a devoted fan base and eventually had a remastered version in 2021.

If you ever want to experience playing a scary game that is immersive but also not too overwhelming, this game is for you.

Alan Wake: American Nightmare (2012)

Alan Wake: American Nightmare or AWAN is a standalone spin-off to Alan Wake but has a different tone to it. The game was about Alan’s journey as he traversed the dream logic sequence where he was forced to relive certain events multiple times. And in every iteration, he will have to get manuscripts giving him insights into defeating his charming yet dangerous doppelgänger, Mr. Scratch who embodied the darkness in Alan’s soul as he tried to escape the Dark Place.

Reminding you of movies like Groundhog Day and Edge of Tomorrow, I enjoyed game’s narrative looping mechanic that makes you progress the story after repeating the chapters. In addition, the change of tone from psychological horror to pulp fiction has made this standalone spin-off fresh, fun, and unconventional. The inclusion of unique weapons and the chance to face off with the charismatic Mr. Scratch made it a fun and unusual entry that showed how Remedy likes to experiment with its established universe.

Also, aren’t you curious to meet Mr. Scratch? I think that charming guy alone deserves your attention to give this game a try.

Control (2019)

Ever seen a red-haired girl wearing what seems to be a leather jacket with her hand raised while holding a gun in the other with a red inverted pyramid as her background cover? Yep. This game is also made by Remedy Entertainment.

If Alan Wake is about psychological horror, Control tackles paranormal phenomena. You play as Jesse Faden, who recently arrived at the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control or FBC, an agency investigating paranormal phenomena. She’s in search of her brother only to become the new director the same day you arrive! Haha, funny right?

Set within the FBC’s headquarters, the ever-shifting The Oldest House, this game will give you supernatural abilities that make you launch items or monsters, levitate, and use one weapon that changes depending on your playstyle. What I enjoyed the most was finding easy-to-digest information about their world-building in the documents you find as you play along. But my favorite so far has been the amusing memos and letter exchanges between the staff. Because who doesn’t enjoy office gossip even if it’s a shadowy organization that handles the paranormal side of life?

The game’s red-tinged art direction and award-winning design brought life to a world as unpredictable as its story. Remedy also connected Control to the “Remedy Connected Universe” tying its world to Alan Wake in ways that will intrigue you to the idea of a shared game universe. Think of MCU but in video games. Awesome, right?

If it made you curious, I highly recommend that you play the game to know more. When you do, I guarantee you that happiness comes.

Quantum Break (2016)

If you’re a fan of sci-fi and action, Quantum Break may be your remedy (pun intended).

Here you play as Jack Joyce who gains the power to manipulate time after a time-travel experiment has gone wrong. Combat in Quantum Break is a dynamic experience where you can use time manipulation abilities to turn the tide in exciting ways. The game also sets a different tone from Alan Wake’s psychological horror and Control’s paranormal phenomena.

Remedy introduced something bold and usual, including a live-action element. Each chapter concludes with a 30-minute episode, shaped by the choices you make in-game. That’s right folks! We have a 30-minute full-motion video integrated into a game as an episode, blending the line between a video game and a TV show. Although others may not have enjoyed the game due to its complexity, its design and gameplay innovation still reflect Remedy’s creative ambitions. Even if Quantum Break isn’t officially part of the Remedy Connected Universe, easter eggs from Alan Wake were carefully tucked into the game for fans who played their games.

Death Rally (1996)

Would you believe that before Remedy became well-known for their storytelling, Remedy started as a racing game? Initially released in MS-DOS in 1996, Death Rally is a top-down racing game where players raced against other characters while engaging in vehicular combat, balancing racing skills, and destroying opponents.

Although the game is a little outdated today due to the controls and its top-down approach, it’s still interesting to see how Remedy first started. It’s also fun to see how this game sets the foundation for their ability to make action-oriented gameplay and would later define their story-rich titles. Also, this game shows up as an easter egg in their games

Since classic Death Rally is free on Steam, you can give this game a try. Or if you want to try the remake, it’s also available for purchase on Steam.

Max Payne (2001)

Do you remember that third-person shooter game that lets you slow down when you shoot enemies? What about that dark, gritty storytelling and noir genre? Yes, that game came from Remedy.

Max Payne, is the game that introduced the world to Remedy’s flair for unique cinematic storytelling and innovative gameplay. Max Payne is a New York cop on a quest for revenge after the tragic loss of his family. The game became popular due to its revolutionary “bullet time” mechanics allowing you to slow down while shooting enemies. Think of the Matrix movies. Meanwhile, the cutscenes are shown in a comic-style format that gives you an intense experience like true crime or noir films. Bringing the same captivating experience to the game’s sequel Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne which was released in 2003, it’s no surprise that a game highly showcasing Remedy’s flair for the narrative in its early days became a cult classic.

Though the Max Payne has been announced for a remake, it’s still worth playing the game. Especially knowing that the first face model of Max Payne is Remedy’s Creative Director Sam Lake, it’s funny to see that scrunched-up-looking face while you head for revenge.

Alan Wake 2 (2023)

Seeing the trailer release of Alan Wake 2 last year had me screaming as this is Remedy’s first dive into the survival horror genre, expanding the psychological horror elements that defined the first Alan Wake. Thirteen years after Alan Wake’s disappearance, you meet Saga Anderson, an FBI special agent who came to the small town of Bright Falls with her partner Alex Casey to investigate a series of ritual murders. As the investigation continued, you will discover manuscripts detailing horrific events that began to come true just like the first game. Alan Wake 2 splits its focus between Saga’s investigation and Alan’s attempts to escape the otherworldly “Dark Place,” creating a dual narrative that will keep you immersed in parallel storylines.

After playing their previous games, I think Remedy has found the right balance in incorporating cinematic elements with their unique style of storytelling. With art being one of its themes, I enjoyed its stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and seamless transitions of scenes within the game, making me slack-jawed in awe in every turn of the game. Remedy was able to blur the lines between reality and fiction while bringing their cinematic storytelling into full circle.

The game’s recognition for its art direction, narrative, and game direction is well-deserved. It gives a testament to Remedy’s continuous commitment to artistic and immersive game design. Now that the second DLC has been released, their dark take on AI is something I find rather timely and true. Alan Wake 2 is Remedy’s most ambitious game to date which dives into the psyche of creators and artists, resonating as a tribute to the artistic journey with its symbolic message: “It’s not a loop. It’s a spiral.”

Remedy’s Ever-Evolving Legacy

Playing their games from their early days of Death Rally to the complex storytelling of Alan Wake and Control, Remedy has proven itself as a masterful storyteller with a flair for blending gameplay with cinematic experiences. Whether it’s through Alan Wake’s suspense, Max Payne’s gritty noir, or Control’s paranormal mysteries, Remedy has shown that it’s willing to innovate, adapt, and, above all, push the boundaries of what video games can achieve.

If you’re looking for games that immerse you in layered narratives, gripping atmospheres, and experiences that stay with you long after, Remedy’s portfolio is a great place to start. Each game offers something unique, yet together, they form a beautifully cohesive universe that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. So, why not dive in? You might just find yourself exploring every title this extraordinary studio has created much like I did.

What about you? Have you ever found a game that made you play the other games created by the same studio? What made you enjoy it? What caught your attention to it? Share your thoughts!