The Hidden Gem in Alan Wake 2: Remedy’s Arcade Cabinet Pays Tribute to their Debut Game, Death Rally
This isn’t just any ordinary scoop – it’s a delightful tale that will surely bring a smile to your face. Nestled away in a dark corner of Remedy’s highly anticipated horror game, Alan Wake 2, you will stumble upon an arcade cabinet showcasing the very first game ever developed by the Finnish studio.
A Blast from the Past: Death Rally
The game in question is Death Rally, a thrilling top-down combat racer for MS-DOS that made its mark back in 1996. This adrenaline-pumping title, reminiscent of Micro Machines, captured the attention of gamers as they raced around toy-like tracks, unleashing bullets upon their rivals or smashing them with their spiked fenders. Back in 2009, game critic Kieron Gillen aptly described the game as a perfect amalgamation of death and rallying.
Interestingly, Remedy Entertainment was founded by members of the Finnish demoscene, Future Crew and The Aggression, a year before the release of Death Rally. Known more for their computer hardware tinkering than game development, transitioning to the world of traditional video game production proved to be quite a challenge for Remedy. Despite this, Death Rally became the game that Sam Lake, now the creative director and a well-known figure in the industry, joined the studio to work on. At the time, Lake was studying English literature in Helsinki and was approached by co-founder Petri Järvilehto to write dialogue for the game.
The Success and Legacy of Death Rally
Death Rally was a resounding success, selling over 120,000 copies and paving the way for Remedy’s expansion and the development of their next project for Apogee, which would eventually become the legendary Max Payne. It’s clear that Death Rally played a crucial role in shaping Remedy’s path towards achieving greatness in the gaming industry.
An Unfortunate Missed Opportunity in Alan Wake 2
While it would have been fantastic to have the ability to play Death Rally within Alan Wake 2, it seems that such a feature is yet to be uncovered. This missed opportunity is particularly intriguing considering Remedy’s ambitious notion of intertwining all their games within a shared universe. However, fear not, as Death Rally can be downloaded for free on Steam, allowing you to experience the nostalgia and thrill of this classic game whenever you desire. It’s important to note that a remake of Death Rally exists, although it failed to impress critics, as highlighted by Nathan Grayson of RPS.
Watch the Alan Wake 2 Review Coming Soon
Stay tuned for Katharine’s comprehensive review of Remedy’s latest paranormal potboiler, Alan Wake 2, which will be available in the coming days. Her initial impressions indicate positivity, although she does mention that the game is longer than expected and may require some getting used to. Gone are the simpler days when all you had to do was drive in circles and wreak havoc – now, the complex and immersive world of Alan Wake 2 awaits!