Alan Wake 2: Return 1: Invitation Walkthrough

After completing the tutorial, the story unfolds from Saga Anderson's perspective. Obtain the map of Cauldron Lake and follow the path to Alex Casey.

Move along the path until the deputy sheriff talks to you. If you want to advance the story, choose the options in bold. To follow the story even more closely, choose the options in regular font. You can now move to the back of the fence after talking with the deputy.

Saga's Mind Place will be unlocked upon moving to the back of the fence. Do not use her Mind Place just yet; instead, go to the general store. Talk to Sheriff Thornton about Casey. After talking to Thornton, follow him to the crime scene.

Examine the body on the table upon reaching the crime scene. You will obtain the key image "Cauldron Lake Murder Site" here. Move the investigation forward by placing it on the Case Board in Saga's Mind Place.

• List of Case Board Controls

  Action	Button Assignment
  Cursor Movement
  View Movement
  Check Key Images/Clues
  Place Clues
  Zoom In
  Zoom Out
  Change Content in the Spirit World	/

  During Saga's investigation, you can organize the contents on the case board in the Mind Place. Additionally, you can start investigating each clue obtained. The basic control on the case board is to select the active key image or clue using the D-pad Up button and place it in the corresponding item with the Cross button.

After placing the key image "Cauldron Lake Murder Site" on the case board, you will be able to get clues from the body. Align the cursor with the magnifying glass on the body and collect the three clues.

Place the three clues found on the body on the case board's reasoning items. Once all three are placed, Saga will advance the reasoning, and the next items "Victim?" and "Murderer?" will appear.

No.	Detailed Location
①	Bloodstain near the body
②	Footprints near the body
③	Talk to Sheriff Thornton
④	Beer bottle on the table behind Casey
⑤	Tripod near the table behind Casey
⑥	Talk to Casey after organizing the clues for "Murderer?"

After "Victim?" and "Murderer?" appear on the case board, investigate for more clues around the body at the crime scene. Note that you can talk to Casey once you finish organizing the "Murderer?" clues.

Once you have gathered enough clues, proceed with the investigation on the board. Organize the information in the order of "Murderer?" and "Victim?". When both are completed, the question "Premeditated or Spontaneous?" will appear, activating the clues of the tripod and the cooler box.

After organizing the "Planned or accidental?" section on the case board and advancing the reasoning, the profiling function will be unlocked. In profiling, you can enter the minds of suspects and victims to obtain clues. Try to obtain clues from "Missing person" and "Ritual murder".

• Place clues on the case board

  Investigation	Clue
  Where did the victim come from...?	Nightingale came from Cauldron Lake.

  After completing the profiling, you will automatically transition to the case board. Place the clues obtained from Nightingale's profiling in the "Where did the victim come from...?" section.

Follow Casey and investigate the blocked path to obtain clues and a Manuscript. When you obtain the Manuscript, a cutscene will play. You can also obtain the "Not the Last" trophy.

• Unlock manuscripts through profiling

  After obtaining the Manuscript, try to obtain clues from the Manuscripts section in profiling. When profiling, the manuscripts will be added to the Mind Place and can be checked at any time.

After reading the manuscript, proceed with the investigation on the board. Placing Nightingale and the Manuscript's clues on "Anything else?" will advance the reasoning.

After finishing the reasoning, return to the crime scene with Casey. Talk to the sheriff and obtain the shortcut key.

Use the obtained shortcut key to open the two doors and return to the car. If you plan to explore Bright Falls, it's best to do it before getting in the car.

After arriving at Bright Falls, talk to Breaker at the entrance of the diner to go in. Don't forget to obtain the map from the bulletin board when you arrive at Bright Falls.

After talking to Tim Breaker, go inside and talk to Booker and the others. Choosing the options in italics will allow you to follow the story closely.

Continue profiling in the Mind Place when you're done talking with Booker and the others. Profile The Cult of the Trees and Cauldron Lake. These two cases will give you more clues. You can also receive a necklace from Booker when you're done profiling.

• Investigation of the Cauldron Lake Murder Case is complete

  Investigation	Clue
  Killer Profile?	Booker stated that multiple individuals wearing deer masks repeatedly exclaimed, "Stab the man with a knife."

  Finish your conversation with Booker. Select the Cauldron Lake Murder Case and place the clues to reveal the investigation's key image. The Cult of the Trees will also be added to the case. This allows progression on the investigation board for The Cult of the Trees.

Follow Breaker after finishing the diner event and head to the Sheriff's Station. Be sure to grab a map at the reception before heading to the autopsy room in the morgue.

• Obtain The Koskela Brothers' Advertisement ①

  Upon entering the employee lounge at the Sheriff's Station, you can obtain The Koskela Brothers' advertisement for Adventure Tours. The obtained footage can be viewed on the TV via the Mind Place.

Hover the cursor over the five magnifying glass spots on the body to collect five clues. Once you have collected all five clues, the investigation board for the Cauldron Lake Murder case will be available.

Select Murder at Cauldron Lake from the Mind Place and add the key image R. Nightingale's Examination. When placing a clue in "Anything to learn from the body?", you can move forward to "Ritual writing?" and "Cause of death?"

When you're done placing clues at the case board, press the button displaying the body to move the event. Nightingale will become an enemy and attack. Once you are able to take action, enter the light to restore your health.

Right side exit	Location of the handgun

After restoring your health, wait for the moment when Nightingale goes to the left side exit. Turn on the flashlight, proceed to the right side exit, and obtain the handgun. After acquiring the weapon, shoot at Nightingale a few times to advance the story.

After the battle with Nightingale, talk to Casey, who is nearby. If you want to follow the story closely, it is recommended to choose the options in bold for the conversation with Casey. After finishing the conversation, obtain the manuscript that is lying in the autopsy room and read it to gather a clue.

Read the manuscript and proceed with the investigation on The Cult of the Trees case board. Note that The Cult of the Trees will be unlocked when you obtain the key image for the Cauldron Lake Murder Case. It is recommended to complete the investigation of the Murder Case first.

After completing the reasoning, investigate the Sheriff's Station and the town of Bright Falls while heading towards the car. Once you get in the car, you will return to Cauldron Lake and clear Return 1: "Invitation."

• Things-to-do before entering the car 1: Obtain The Koskela Brothers' advertisement ② at the diner

  Enter the diner to obtain The Koskela Brothers' advertisement for Ahma Beer. The obtained footage can be confirmed on the TV in the Mind Place.

• Things-to-do before entering the car 2: Have a conversation with Rose at the diner

  Don't forget to talk to the waitress, Rose. Choose both options, and the conversation will end.