Alan Wake 2 Survival Guide: Item drops are randomized (and based on difficulty)
In Alan Wake 2, the items you find within containers aren’t always consistent. A distinct, somewhat unpredictable system underlies this feature. For example, opening a specific drawer might reward you with a Trauma Pad. However, if you reload your game and revisit that drawer, the contents might differ, or you might come up empty-handed. Sometimes, if your flashlight’s charge is dwindling, you could stumble upon a battery. It’s as if the game senses when you’re in a tight spot and occasionally offers assistance.
The campaign’s level of difficulty plays a role in this item distribution. Normal Mode provides an equilibrium, designed for players accustomed to the survival horror genre. For those wanting a smoother narrative experience, Story Mode is more generous with items and presents less challenging combat. And for the brave souls, Hard Mode promises a rigorous challenge. If ever you second-guess your initial difficulty selection, rest assured, you can adjust it at any point by pausing the game.