Remedy Entertainment has always stood out as a unique gem in the gaming world, with a penchant for delivering predominantly linear games. The stories always take centre stage at Remedy Entertainment games. Their intent is clear — they strive to infuse their games with a certain cinematic realism unrivalled in the industry.
With its headquarters in Espoo, Finland, the developer’s first major triumph was the widely lauded Max Payne series. Following a fruitful collaboration with Microsoft, Remedy Entertainment introduced another stellar franchise — the enigmatic Alan Wake.
The company extended their operations to platforms such as iOS and Android to widen its horizons. Regularly basking in the warmth of glowing reviews, Remedy Entertainment has cultivated a dedicated fanbase who appreciate their unwavering commitment to artistic quality and characters that feel genuinely human.
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Best Remedy Entertainment Games
Remedy Entertainment is celebrated for its unique focus on developing single-player action games imbued with a cinematic atmosphere and strong, memorable protagonists. This ethos is evident in their portfolio, featuring the Max Payne series, Alan Wake, and Control. Since its inception in 1995, these guiding principles have remained at the core of its development philosophy.
Here are four of the most incredible Remedy Entertainment games:
- Max Payne (Series)
- Alan Wake (Series)
- Quantum Break
- Control (Series)
Now that we’ve rounded up the cream of the crop, it’s time to delve into each game in detail. Ensure your cuppa is piping hot because the next games demand your attention.
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Max Payne Series
One of the best Remedy Entertainment games is undoubtedly Max Payne since its debut in 2001. Lauded for its rich narrative and immersive atmosphere, critics welcomed Max Payne with open arms. The game unmistakably draws inspiration from the film noir genre, with motifs and themes that echo the silver screen. This was a deliberate choice by the developers to enhance the game’s cinematic feel.
The title bears the name of its leading character, a police detective turned vigilante following the tragic loss of his family to city roughs. The innovative feature of the game that garnered significant attention was its ‘Bullet time’ and slow-motion mechanics, which amplified the game’s cinematic allure.
The series is extended by two further instalments: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne and Max Payne 3. The third game is somewhat excluded by the players. The reason for this is that Remedy is not in the developer seat. Rockstar Games developed Max’s latest adventure and brought the series to Brazil.
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Alan Wake Series
Much like Max Payne, Alan Wake is another compelling lead character turned vigilante in a desperate search for his missing wife. Launched in 2010, the game was met with warm praise from critics, who were particularly taken with its fast-paced gameplay set within a convincingly natural environment.
Crafted by Sam Lake, Alan Wake is a classic embodiment of Remedy Entertainment’s trademark style. Its cinematic flair marks it — the story centred on a strong protagonist and inventive structure.
With its unique presentation in six parts, the game has the feel of a television series centred around unravelling a mystery. This episode count can be extended to eight with the subsequent release of two DLCs. In 2012, an offshoot of the original game, “Alan Wake’s American Nightmare”, was exclusively released for Xbox One, followed later by a Windows version.
Staying true to its predecessor’s narrative, the game received mostly positive reviews. Fans can look forward to Alan Wake 2 hitting the shelves on October 17, 2023.
Related: Alan Wake 2 Coming October 17
Quantum Break
Quantum Break, exclusive to PC and Xbox One, is one of the signature Remedy Entertainment games. Originally conceived as a sequel to Alan Wake, it eventually took on a life as a stand-alone game. Quantum Break’s unique selling point is its innovative format — it doubles up as a game and a television series.
If time travel tickles your fancy, Quantum Break is a must-play. The game features two characters — the protagonist and the antagonist — whose decisions directly influence the game’s trajectory. Thanks to a botched experiment with a time machine, these characters can bend time to their will.
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Control Series
Control is a top-notch action game that offers nearly flawless gameplay for fans of paranormal narratives. It shares its universe with the Alan Wake series, providing more than enough incentive to give it a whirl.
Unveiled by Remedy Entertainment in 2019 for PS4, Windows, and Xbox One, Control delves into the intriguing world of the fictitious Federal Control Bureau (FBC), tasked with the clandestine mission of probing the supernatural. Keeping true to Remedy Entertainment’s past games, Control explores the concept of reality. The main protagonist, Jesse Faden, stumbles upon a potent source of abilities crucial for vanquishing the evil Hiss that threatens to disrupt the world’s equilibrium.
Remedy is already hard at work on Control 2. Depending on the narrative trajectory of Alan Wake 2, we might catch a glimpse of the sequel’s trailer sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Remedy Entertainment Games Action Games?
No — Remedy Entertainment’s debut in the gaming industry was a combat racing game made for MS-DOS in 1996. Its followed by a Windows version in 2009 and subsequently revamped for iOS. Players can enhance their vehicles with various weapons and armor to edge out their competitors on the race track.
Is Quantum Break a Sequel to Alan Wake?
No — Alan Wake and Quantum Break are different franchises, each crafted within the creative confines of Remedy Entertainment studios. While the two games share similar features, their storylines chart different courses. Despite these differences, it’s rumoured that Quantum Break was initially envisioned as a sequel to Alan Wake. This idea was ultimately set aside.
Will There Be a Max Payne Remake in the Future?
Yes — in collaboration with Rockstar Games, Remedy Entertainment is brewing the remake versions of Max Payne and Max Payne 2. These revamped games are slated for release on Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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