Alan Wake 2 inventory upgrades are something you'll want from the start but might not know about for a while, with the chance to increase inventory space being concealed behind optional puzzles without much clue about where to look for them. What with Alan Wake 2 being survival horror, inventory management is a trope that players will now have to contend with, balancing ammo, health and weapons in what limited space you have. The ability to upgrade inventory space is largely tied to the Alan Wake 2 cult stash locations for Saga, and the hidden Words of Power in Alan Wake 2 for the eponymous author. With that in mind, just below you'll find all the details you need on how to find the inventory space upgrades for both characters in Alan Wake 2, with each upgrade granting the respective character an additional row of item slots.
Saga Anderson's inventory upgrades
Inventory upgrade one
Chapter: RETURN 2: The Heart
Location: Cauldron Lake General Store
The first inventory upgrade for Saga Anderson can be requisitioned when you return to Cauldron Lake in the second chapter. Your primary mission is to locate Agent Nightingale's missing heart, a goal which will take you into the Cauldron Lake General Store near the murder site. Once you've defeated the first Taken, check the back room to find the satchel on a filing cabinet. This area also has one of the unlockable Alan Wake 2 weapons too, but you'll need the shotgun padlock code to access it.
Inventory upgrade two
Chapter: RETURN 2: The Heart
Location: Cauldron Lake coast
Once you've survived the first Overlap as Saga Anderson you'll be thrown out to the Cauldron Lake coastline. You'll find that the flooding has receded, allowing you to explore previously unreachable areas. You're going to want to follow the coastal path going east, keeping an eye on felled trees along the beach. Eventually you'll be able to crawl under one and find a Cult Stash – accessing it is as easy as following the color code combination which flashes on screen.
Inventory upgrade three
Chapter: RETURN 5: Old Gods
Location: Bright Falls Fresh Seafood
After you've completed the incident at the Valhalla Nursing Home you'll return to Bright Falls with the Alan Wake 2 bolt cutters in hand. Over the road from the Oh Dear Diner is a rundown Fresh Seafood building. Open the gate with the bolt cutters and head into the first shack on the right, which is where you'll find a Cult Stash. There's a puzzle here which asks you to look at the rising sea tides to get the code, but 6-9-7 should save you the hassle.
Inventory upgrade four
Chapter: TBC
Location: TBC
I'm still searching for the final inventory upgrade for Saga Anderson, but once I locate it I will be sure to upgrade this guide with the final details. It is possible to complete the game with just five rows available – that's how I had to wrap my Alan Wake 2 review up in the end – but given how space hungry the Crossbow, Hunting Rifle, and Pump-Action Shotgun are I'd certainly like the additional space – especially ahead of the incoming Alan Wake 2 nightmare difficulty mode.
Alan Wake's inventory upgrade
Chapter: INITIATION 5: Room 665
Location: Oceanview Hotel Ballroom
There's only one inventory upgrade available for Alan Wake. The writer starts with three rows available and the fourth is unlocked easily enough, so long as you're able to access the Oceanview Hotel. Once you're in there, head up to the Ballroom on floor two and shine your flashlight on the Word of Power above the bar. This will let you allocate a Words of Stuff ability point, and you'll want to invest this in the Magic Pocket perk.
If you're in need of some extra help, be sure to check out my top Alan Wake 2 tips.
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Josh West is the Editor-in-Chief of 12DOVE. He has over 15 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.