Remedy loves putting easter eggs in its games to imply connections between all the titles in its catalog. Upon Control's release, it became clear that some of these were more than references and now the 2019 action-adventure title and Alan Wake take place in the same universe.
Any fan who played Alan Wake Remastered in addition to all the other Remedy games is sure to notice the details listed below. To those who have not played Max Payne and Control, these nuances seem inconsequential. However, fans appreciate these nods to the early 2000s third-person shooter and the way 2019's Control plays off of moments from the 2010 cult classic.
9 James McCaffrey Is In Control and Max Payne
Thomas Zane is played by James McCaffrey, who first rose to prominence in the gaming scene by voicing the lead character in Max Payne. His most notable live-action role is perhaps an extended sting on Rescue Me.
In Control he plays Director Trench, communicating with Jesse Faden from beyond the grave. Control is notable because his character looks exactly like him in real life.
8 Sam Lake
Alan Wake's last episode begins with a flashback where Alan Wake watches himself on a TV appearance. Sitting next to him on the talk show is Alan Wake's writer and creative director of Remedy Entertainment Sam Lake.
He is so familiar to gamers not only because of his writing talents, but also because he was the face model for Max Payne in the debut entry. The face he made has become just as iconic as the game and the studio.
7 American Nightmare Talks About Ordinary Years Before Control's Existance
There is a hidden message in the credits to Alan Wake's American Nightmare which reads out "It will happen again in another town, a town called ordinary". The altered world event Jesse Faden experiences in her childhood that brings the FBC into her life takes place in a town called Ordinary.
It is hard to tell if this is what that message was meaning back when the standalone expansion came out, but the connection is cool nonetheless. Unfortunately, American Nightmare is not available on Alan Wake Remastered.
6 Barry Wheeler Is The Same Voice Actor As Vinnie Gognitti
Barry Wheeler is Alan Wake's agent and one of the only people he can trust. It is quite easy to tell he is from the northeast United States with his unique accent.
It is wholly appropriate, then, that he is played by Fred Berman, the same actor who plays Vinnie Gognitti in Max Payne 2. Despite being a gangster in Max Payne, Vinnie is the comedic relief and players end up sympathizing with him a little bit by the end.
5 Alan Wake's Voice Actor Is Also Dr. Darling From Control
Alan Wake is voiced by Matthew Porretta, though a different actor provide the likeness. If his voice sounds familiar, that's because Matthew Porretta also played Dr. Darling in Control.
The latter game not only uses his likeness but his role is mostly done in live-action cutscenes Jesse watches while investigating the Oldest House. It'll be weird if the two characters ever meet up and share a scene.
4 The Old Gods Of Asgard Are In Control
Alan Wake meets some old people in Dr. Hartman's lodge who were in a band called the Old Gods of Asgard. Their old house is an integral part of Alan Wake's story.
The band's music is performed by Poets of the Fall, who have a song in Max Payne 2 as well. The band returns for Control, playing the song Take Control for the scene where players go through the ashtray maze.
3 The Names Of The Books Are Chapters From Max Payne
Alan Wake's job of a writer is a vital part of the game's story. Players can see the titles of several of his books when they are walking through his New York apartment during flashbacks.
Some of the titles include The Things That I Want and What I Can't Forget, which are all chapter titles from the Max Payne games. One of them is also called The Fall of Casey, which is a reference to Max Payne 2's subtitle, The Fall of Max Payne. The font of the books even resembles the font and design of Max Payne 2.
2 The Manuscripts Narrated By James McCaffrey
The second episode opens with a flashback inside Alan's apartment. The two manuscripts players collect here tell a different story than the other pages and are narrated by James McCaffrey.
The story is a clear nod to Max Payne and could be seen as a conclusion to the character's story. Fortunately, Max Payne returned properly in 2012 thanks to Rockstar Games' Max Payne 3.
1 Thomas Zane Really Might Not Exist In The Real World
In Control Jesse mentions a verse written by Thomas Zane in an audiolog from a therapy session. This is a reference to the character from Alan Wake who is played by James McCaffrey. The interesting thing about this exchange is the therapist insisting that Thomas Zane does not exist.
Jesse insists this is a government cover up. During Thomas Zane's crisis in the 70s, he ended up writing himself out of existance. How Jesse Faden knows him is a mystery, but it might have something to do with her connection to Polaris.
Alan Wake Remastered is out now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC