The Pines asks what would Alan Wake look like if it was about therapy, and I kind of want to know the answer
The Pines is a narrative-driven game that reimagines the Alan Wake formula through the lens of mental health and therapy. The protagonist awakens in The Pines, a secluded retreat promising quiet, recovery, and therapeutic treatment. While the game shares atmospheric similarities with Alan Wake 2—including its mysterious wooded setting and the protagonist’s disorientation—it distinguishes itself through its focus on psychological recovery rather than supernatural horror.
Rock Paper Shotgun examines how The Pines explores an intriguing thought experiment: what would Alan Wake look like centered on therapy rather than horror? The game appears to examine both the benefits and limitations of therapy as a healing tool, creating a grounded, introspective narrative experience. By positioning the therapeutic journey as the central experience rather than a peripheral element, The Pines offers a fresh approach to psychological storytelling in interactive fiction.
The comparison suggests the game may appeal to fans of atmospheric narrative experiences who are interested in exploring mental health themes through interactive media. The Pines demonstrates how interactive storytelling can meaningfully address psychological recovery and therapy in ways distinct from the supernatural elements that define Alan Wake.