Alan Wake 2 – How To Get The Bolt Cutters

You can pick up various items in Alan Wake 2 to help with exploration and progression. One, in particular, is quite important, as it lets you access some late-game areas. Our guide discusses how to get the Bolt Cutters in Alan Wake 2 so you can pry open the last few remaining locks. Likewise, please be reminded that this guide contains minor spoilers.

How to get the Bolt Cutters in Alan Wake 2

You’ll obtain the Bolt Cutters in Alan Wake 2 during the Return 5 – Old Gods chapter, where Saga Anderson is playable. We don’t want to spoil all the major details, but here’s a quick summary:

• Both Return 4 – No Chance and Return 5 – Old Gods take place in Bright Falls. These lead you to the western portion of the town, where you’ll eventually arrive at Valhalla Nursing Home.
• While chatting with the old folks, you’ll realize that something is amiss. The main objective then requires you to open a portal to the Overlap in this area.
• After acquiring the Anger’s Remorse record and playing it on the jukebox, a portal will appear over the pond at the courtyard.

The layout of this Overlap (left) is downright confusing and creepy, but you’ll eventually reach a room that has the Bolt Cutters (right).

When you’re ready, step into the portal to find yourself in a different Overlap zone, one that has a sewer/drowning theme. As with other Overlap realms, this one is akin to a loop, where you’ll pass through the same hallways, making you feel as though you’re lost.

Soon, you’ll reach a section that has a lever, which turns on the light. The action also reveals another room that you can enter. Check the containers and drawers here to pick up the Tool Cabinet Key. It can be used to unlock the cabinet that has the Bolt Cutters. All that’s left is to proceed to the next chamber in the Overlap, which has a vicious Taken boss waiting for you.

Use the Tool Cabinet Key and grab the Bolt Cutters.

Now that you have the Bolt Cutters in Alan Wake 2, you’re pretty much set to gather the remaining collectibles in Saga’s arc. This tool is the only one that can pry open chained locks that prevent you from reaching certain areas. For instance, there are Cult Stashes that are in places behind barred gates. Likewise, the last few Nursery Rhymes and Dolls are yours for the taking. Oh, and remember that Rental Cabins area in Cauldron Lake which you saw at the beginning of the game? Well, you can finally explore it.