Someone’s hidden lunch boxes all around Bright Falls and gathering them is well worth the effort. Here’s how to find all the Lunch Boxes in Return 1: Invitation in Alan Wake 2.
All Alan Wake 2 Lunch Box Locations in Cauldron Lake
In Saga’s first Chapter, Return 1: Invitation, there are six lunch boxes to find. It’s absolutely worth grabbing all of them, as they yield Manuscript Fragments that can be used to upgrade Saga’s weapons. So, let’s dive right in. I’ll be moving counterclockwise around the Cauldron Lake map, so we’ll hit all the optional areas, the Murder Site, and then Bright Falls. This is the most efficient pathing, which will ensure you don’t have to backtrack much.
The Mortal Falls Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 1
The first lunch box on our agenda is beside the Mortar Falls sign. You can find this lunch box shortly after speaking to the sheriff near the hole in the fence. Follow the path down to the murder-site and jump down the broken stairs.
Once you see the Mirror Peak sign, turn right and continue down the path. Anderson will jog towards the Murder Site, down the first left trail. Don’t follow him. Instead, continue onward and take the next available left.
You’ll hit a dead end, which leads to a view of the Mortal Falls.
To the left of this sign is the first lunch box, which yields two Manuscript Fragments.
The Witch’s House Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 2
For Lunch Box 4, head towards the Witch’s Hut. Go slightly past the Witch’s Hut, to its left side, and you’ll see an overgrown bridge.
Cross over it, and you’ll find a chair with a journal and a box nearby. But the lunchbox is a little hidden.
Stand in front of the chair, looking forward as if you were sitting in it, and you’ll see the lunch box hidden in the bushes.
This lunch box will net you one Manuscript Fragment.
The Abandoned Campsite Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 3
The third lunch box on our list is in the Abandoned Campsite southwest of the Murder Site. You can take either of the branching trails from the murder site to get to this location. Once there, look left of the firepit, and you should see a small pop-up by the fence. This is our third lunch box!
It’s a little hard to distinguish, but that white indicator marks where it is.
This lunch box will net you three Manuscript Fragments!
The General Store Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 4
This next lunch box will have you pass by the murder site. But don’t worry; you can always come back to investigate. Anderson and the deputy will wait for you, though they may grumble a bit.
Continue to the front of the General Store, slightly north of the Murder Site. Locate the General Store sign, then continue north from the trail in front of it.
This will lead you to another dead end. But at this blockage, slightly to the left, is another lunch box!
This lunch box nets you one Manuscript Fragment!
The Shortcut / FBC Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 5
The next lunch can only be found once you’ve received the Shortcut Key from Thornton, which you’ll get after investigating the body and returning from the lake.
With the key, go around the back of the general store. Casey will already be on his way there. Follow him through the fence with the Shortcut Key.
This a windy path, but you’ll see on your map that there’s a big black ‘X’ near the FBC station. Go behind the FBC station to see a rock outcropping you can climb up on.
On top of this rock is the final lunch box for Cauldron Lake!
This lunch box nets you two Manuscript Fragments!
The Park Lunch Box Location – Lunch Box 6
You won’t be able to access this lunch box until you get into your car and return to Bright Falls. Once you’re in Bright Falls, make your way to the diner but don’t go inside.
Instead, head to the park to the diner’s right and east of the map. Head through the park towards the gazebo. But before you reach it, head slightly right to find the last lunch box of the chapter beneath the tree.
You’ll get a whopping five Manuscript Fragments from this lunch box!
Remember, add these Lunch Boxes to your Mind Place case board. As of right now, we don’t have enough pieces to make any deductions. But we’re well on our way. And you can use those Manuscript Fragments you found to upgrade your weapons.
