It’s no coincidence that Remedy Entertainment’s latest game, Alan Wake, has more than a passing resemblance to Twin Peaks.  In fact, the creators of the game have often cited that the town of Bright Falls was heavily inspired by David Lynch’s creation.

I thought I’d list the Twin Peaks references I’ve found thus far:

• Bright Falls has a diner called the Triple D “Oh Deer” Diner.  This is clearly a reference to the Double R Diner from Twin Peaks.  In fact, it has been verified by Remedy in the video commentary found on my bonus disc of the Collector’s Edition that their intention was to create a diner that was as close to the Twin Peaks diner as possible.
• Another obvious one comes in the form of the eccentric Lamp Lady.  There can be no doubt that she is Bright Falls’ version of The Log Lady.
• In a shed in Chapter 1 (the one with a radio inside) there is a locket hung up on a hook.  I wonder if this is a reference to Laura Palmer’s locket which became a key piece of evidence in the search for her killer.
• The FBI Agent in Alan Wake is Agent Nightingale.  Julee Cruise’s music features heavily in the Twin Peaks series and helps create the dreamy ethereal feel of many scenes.  Julee Cruise can be seen performing her song “The Nightingale” in an episode.  Could the Bright Falls Agent be named after this song?
• Agent Nightingale mentions in one of the manuscript pages that he doesn’t like the trees or the coffee.  This is the stark contrast to Twin Peaks’ Agent Cooper who often mentioned just how much he loved the trees and the coffee.
• While on the coffee love in Twin Peaks, Alan Wake has an achievement called “Damn Good Cup of Coffee” which is an unabashed tip of the hat to Agent Cooper’s love of the Double R Diner’s damn fine coffee.
• In Chapter 5 Barry asks “Is this some kind of secret society or something?” which could be a reference to The Bookhouse Boys.
• There are owls in various places throughout the game and even within the live action prequels.  This is undoubtedly connected to “The owls are not as they seem” from Twin Peaks.

Please feel free to leave any comments with your own references.