- For the location and gameplay feature, see Mind Place
The Mind Place is the fifth and final Main Case in Alan Wake 2, viewable on the Case Board in Saga Anderson's Mind Place. It covers the first part of the events of Return 9: Come Home and Saga overcoming her insecurities to escape the Dark Place.
In the format below, text in italics is tooltip text that only appears when a relevant clue is hovered over on the case board. Numbers and letters have been assigned unofficially to represent the clue branches on the in-game Case Board.
Cases tab description[]
- Case in progress (unused):
- My mind feels foggy. Why am I in the Mind Place? And why can't I leave?
- Case closed:
- The Dark Place tried to weaponize my anxieties against me. I won't let it turn me into a Taken. I'm stronger than that, and Logan needs me.
THE MIND PLACE[]
| Image | Description | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| THE MIND PLACE My mind feels foggy. Why am I in the Mind Place? And why can't I leave? Something is very wrong here... |
Try to leave the Mind Place in Return 9: Come Home |
- Case start thoughts
The Dark Presence took over Casey. Stole the Clicker from me. The last thing I remember is him throwing me into Cauldron Lake. 
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12805
- Other Saga: "I’m in the Dark Place. I’m lost. I don’t know how to get out. I don’t know what to do."
- ― Other Saga, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_12755
- Saga: "That wasn’t me. Was it?"
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12756
1. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?[]
- Completion text:
- This is the Dark Place. I'm in danger, I have to get out of here.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch took the Clicker The Dark Presence took Casey. Casey is Scratch now. And he has the Clicker. |
Automatically added | |
| Scratch threw me into Cauldron Lake I remember sinking... but that doesn't explain why I'm in the Mind Place. |
Automatically added | |
| Other Saga: "I'm in the Dark Place. I'm lost. I don't know how to get out. I don't know what to do." She's right. Cauldron Lake is the gateway to the Dark Place. I'm IN the Dark Place. Other Saga: "I’m in the Dark Place. I’m lost. I don’t know how to get out. I don’t know what to do." |
Automatically added |
2. HOW DO I LEAVE?[]
- Completion text:
- The Dark Place tried to use my fears, anxieties, guilt to trap me here. To get back to Bright Falls, I'll have to dive even deeper. I won't give up.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| I can leave by overcoming my doubts and fears This place weaponizes your fears. But being afraid won't stop me from trying. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I am leaving") |
- The Dark Place tried to trap me here. The only way to leave is facing it head on. Wake called it a nightmare. I need to dive into that nightmare and find a way back home.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12811)
3. YOU FAILED THEM[]
- What? Failed who? What’s happening to the Case Board?
- ― Saga, section start (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_13065)
- I haven't failed them. And I'm not going to. There is still time to fix this.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Your partner CASEY IS A MONSTER NOW Other Saga: "Scratch took Casey and it’s my fucking fault." (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18393) |
Profile Other Saga (topic: Casey) | |
| Yourself YOU FUCKED EVERYTHING UP Other Saga: "I’m a failure. This is what I deserve." (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18394) |
Profile Other Saga (topic: Failed "Them") | |
| Your daughter SHE'S DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU Other Saga: "I’m a terrible mother. I let my daughter die." (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18392) |
Profile Other Saga (topic: Logan) |
-
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion thought
4a: YOU WERE A TERRIBLE PARTNER[]
Note: The salt shaker and birthday photo clues are mutually exclusive. Either one may spawn on a different run of the game (verification needed).
- Unlocked by: "Your partner" clue
- Completion text:
- I might not always be the best partner, but Casey trusted me. He wouldn't give up, and neither will I. Casey's still in there. I'm sure of it.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Photo of Casey at Logan's birthday party Casey isn't just a partner. He's family. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the photo of Casey on the mantle | |
| The salt shaker from the first prank I played on Casey Casey never jokes around with anyone else. He respects and trusts me. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the salt shaker on the minibar counter | |
| Casey was wrong to put his trust in me YOU FUCKED THIS CASE UP SO BADLY THAT THE FBC TOOK OVER |
Interact with the cultist mask hanging on a support pillar | |
| I abandoned my partner to investigate on my own YOU WERE SO EAGER TO BE IN CHARGE THAT YOU LEFT HIM BEHIND |
Interact with the walkie talkie near the fireplace | |
| I ignored the fact that the Dark Presence was affecting Casey YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE BROUGHT HIM TO CAULDRON LAKE RIGHT TO SCRATCH |
Collect clue from FBC file on the wine shelf |
- Casey trusts me. I know he does.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18405)
- He shouldn’t. I’ll just let him down again.
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18406)
4b: IT'S YOUR FAULT HE GOT HURT[]
- Unlocked by: "Your partner" clue
- Completion text:
- I wish I'd been there for Casey, but I know he wouldn't want me to blame myself for this. We can't control every outcome. He taught me that.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle of whiskey I gave Casey when he was in the hospital Casey has never blamed me when things go sideways. It's all part of the job. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the whiskey bottle on the wine shelf | |
| I couldn't protect Casey from Scratch CASEY IS GONE AND IT'S YOUR FUCKING FAULT |
Try to profile Casey after profiling Other Saga on topic "Casey" | |
| Casey was injured because I left him behind HE NEEDED BACKUP AND YOU WEREN'T THERE |
Interact with bloody bandages in the corner | |
| The Dark Presence took advantage of Casey's injury YOU KNEW HE WAS INJURED. WHY THE HELL DID YOU TAKE HIM TO CAULDRON LAKE? |
Interact with the FBC light array |
- Our job is dangerous. Casey himself told me that. It’s no one’s fault.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18408)
- It is my fault. It is. It is.
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18409)
4c: YOU'VE LOST YOUR MIND[]
- Unlocked by: "Yourself" clue
- Completion text:
- I haven't lost it - at least not yet. This is all real. This place wants me to doubt myself, but I can't. I still have work to do.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| A reassuring note from my mom Did mom know something like this would happen? That I would need to hear these words again some day? |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the card near the fireplace | |
| Logan's death broke something inside of me YOU COULDN'T FACE WHAT HAPPENED, SO YOU CRACKED |
Interact with newspapers on the floor | |
| This has all been a hallucination SHADOW MONSTERS? FALSE REALITIES? MAGICAL WRITERS? REALLY? |
Interact with the mounted deer head in the Mind Place | |
| Manuscript pages can't change reality THE STORY IS A DELUSION YOU INVENTED TO HIDE FROM THE TRUTH |
Interact with the stacks of pages on the desk (previous manuscript clue must be collected first) |
- No, this is all real. I know it is.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18411)
- I’ve lost it. The FBI will kick me out. I’ll have nothing.
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18412)
4d: YOU WERE A TERRIBLE DETECTIVE[]
- Unlocked by: "Yourself" clue
- Completion text:
- If I were a bad detective, I'd probably be dead by now. Blaming myself for past mistakes won't solve the case.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| A commendation I received from the FBI Casey gave me no end of shit for that speech. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the FBI plaque on the wall near the desk | |
| I used manuscript pages as a crutch instead of doing my job THE PAGES WERE YOUR EXCUSE FOR ALWAYS BEING ONE STEP BEHIND |
Interact with the stack of pages on the manuscript page desk | |
| Wake was Scratch all along and I had no idea IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT |
Collect clue from FBC file on the wine shelf | |
| Ilmo and Jaakko were running a Cult right under my nose WHAT KIND OF DETECTIVE ARE YOU? THEY WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU |
Interact with hanging Cult symbols near the Case Board |
- I can’t let this place make me question myself. I know what I’m doing.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18414)
- I have no idea what I’m doing.
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18415)
4e: LOGAN DIED BECAUSE OF YOU[]
- Unlocked by: "Your daughter" clue
- Completion text:
- My daughter isn't dead and I won't let some bullshit story convince me that I let her die.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Logan made matching charm bracelets for us before I left She wanted us to stay connected. God, I love that kid. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the charm bracelet on the child's bed | |
| Logan is dead YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO WON'T ACCEPT SHE'S DEAD Saga: "She’s not dead, god damn it!" (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18396S) |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "The Horror Story") | |
| Logan is dead WHAT MAKES MORE SENSE: EVERYONE IS WRONG? OR YOU ARE? |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue | |
| Logan is dead IF YOU HADN'T BEEN AT WORK, SHE'D STILL BE ALIVE |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue | |
| Logan is dead SHE DIED ALONE AND SCARED BEGGING YOU FOR HELP AND YOU WEREN'T THERE |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue | |
| Logan is dead AS THE WATER FILLED HER LUNGS SHE REALIZED YOU WEREN'T COMING |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue | |
| Logan is dead CAN YOU EVEN STILL CALL YOURSELF A MOTHER AFTER YOU LET YOUR ONLY CHILD DIE? |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue | |
| Logan is dead YOU'RE BLAMING A HORROR STORY INSTEAD OF YOURSELF YOU COWARD ADMIT SHE'S DEAD AND YOU KILLED HER YOU KILLED HER YOU KILLED HER Saga: "No, I’m done with this. It just keeps coming back." (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18397) |
Place previous "Logan is dead" clue |
- Logan isn’t anyone’s plot device. She’s my daughter, and she’s not dead.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18398)
- She’s dead! She's dead! I didn’t save her!
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18399)
4f: YOU WERE A TERRIBLE MOM[]
- Unlocked by: "Your daughter" clue
- Completion text:
- I might not be the perfect mom, but I've done my best. Logan loves me, and I love her.
| Image | Description and Tooltip | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| The mug Logan gave me I've brought this mug with me on every case. I go where work takes me, but I never forget where home is. |
Profile Other Saga (topic: "I need a way out"), then use the flashlight to uncover and interact with the | |
| I always put work first YOU WERE NEVER HOME THERE WAS ALWAYS MORE WORK MORE CASES YOU TOLD YOURSELF IT WAS IMPORTANT |
Interact with Saga's FBI badge and gun, near the TV | |
| Logan was alone SHE SPENT EVERY DAY BY HERSELF IN THAT TRAILER |
Interact with the child's drawings on the wall | |
| I took Logan away from her father YOU TOOK HER FROM DAVID AND STUCK HER IN A BACKWATER SHIT HOLE |
Interact with the Night Springs logo on the television |
- I’m not a perfect mom, but I’m doing my best.
- ― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18401)
- Logan was just being nice when she gave me that mug. I never deserved her.
- ― Other Saga, section completion (MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18402)
CASE: CLOSED[]
| Image | Description | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| CASE: CLOSED The Dark Place tried to weaponize my anxieties against me. I won't let it turn me into a Taken. I'm stronger than that, and Logan needs me. |
Finish all questions |
Notes[]
Saga has several deductions she says after placing a certain number of clues. Not all clues will appear at once, but they will appear as more clues are placed onto the Case Board.
- First reflection
- It feels like I’m trapped in a nightmare. Stuck in an echo chamber with all my fears, my doubts- my insecurities.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12806
- I hate this, but it’s all true. I had tried to silence these thoughts, focus on the case. But I can’t escape them anymore. I’m drowning. I need a way out, before I’m dragged under.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12807
- I can’t do this. It’s too much. It’s crushing me. I’m lost in this darkness.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_12808
- It’s not too late. I can still save them.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18417)
- No matter what I do, someone will get hurt. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid.
- ― Other Saga, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18418
- I’m my own worst enemy. The fears in my head are stopping me from trying. From leaving.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18419
- It’s okay to be afraid. But I can’t let this end here.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18420
- I can’t, I can’t. I can’t! I just- I just want it to stop.
- ― Other Saga, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_VISION_18421
- Giving up won’t make this stop. Logan needs me. Casey needs me.
- ― Saga Anderson, MP_RE09_DEDUCTIONS_01_SAGA_18422