'Control Resonant' brings its paranormal universe to hand-to-hand combat

Control Resonant is the continuation of Control, a 2019 video game that surprised with its paranormal universe, striking gameplay, and a convoluted plot that hooked players. The title was a complete success and exceeded 6 million copies sold, but the reality is that Control is not an isolated game. The Finnish studio behind these works, Remedy Entertainment, is recognized for building a connected narrative universe in which its sagas share a very characteristic visual and thematic language. This atmosphere is also breathed in the horror of Alan Wake, which triumphed with its sequel in 2023, or in the action of the iconic Max Payne, of which a remake of the first two installments is already being developed.

An ambitious sequel and the risk of self-publishing

At the beginning of 2024, Remedy purchased all rights to the saga for 17 million euros from 505 Games, the publisher of the first game, a move that has allowed them to develop the project with total creative freedom. Even so, the studio already attempted to expand this universe last year and bring its style to the multiplayer field with FBC: Firebreak, their first self-published title. Unfortunately, the proposal did not quite take off and went largely unnoticed, leaving the studio's followers in anticipation of this second installment. Now, thanks to an agreement with Annapurna, a label of quality that has co-financed the release, the company's most ambitious project finally sees the light this week.

But, what exactly does Control Resonant propose? The story is set seven years later than the original title and presents a radical change not only in genre and mechanics, but also in protagonist. On this occasion, the player embodies Dylan Faden (brother of Jesse Faden, the protagonist of the first game) at the moment he leaves his confinement at the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) to face a supernatural threat that has completely altered the city of Manhattan. Paradoxically, to achieve this, the hero's main objective will be to reunite with his sister, thus inverting the plot premise of the original game.

An open world and more direct combat

The narrative is not the only thing that evolves, but rather Control Resonant completely transforms its gameplay. The title changes genre, abandons third-person shooting, and becomes an action role-playing game focused on melee combat. Dylan never uses firearms. Instead, he is equipped with a paranormal weapon called Aberrant, an object of power that dynamically changes shape during battle. The repertoire of offensive moves expands as you progress, ranging from agile dagger thrusts to powerful blows with a heavy hammer. This is an intense and aggressive combat that requires being alert at all times, a rhythm especially rigorous during the encounters against the Resonants, the formidable final bosses that give the game its name and offer a true visual spectacle.

Regarding the environments, the title leaves behind the claustrophobic interiors and brutalist architecture of the FBC to open up to a Manhattan distorted by paranormal phenomena. The areas are much more extensive and feature an open level design to reflect how the threat has collapsed the urban landscape. Exploring the city is dynamic and agile thanks to Dylan's mobility tools, with very particular mechanics such as the ability to alter the gravitational plane. In total, the adventure is structured into six large interconnected zones in the heart of Manhattan.

The evolution of the Remedy universe

The initial reception from the specialized press has shown conflicting opinions, although they have given it a very good general assessment. As expected, the new title shines brightest in the sections where it most embraces the studio's DNA, and the taste in art direction does not stop only at the visual aspect, but the audio design and soundtrack are also excellent (you can check it out in the launch trailer below these lines). The main story lasts about 30 hours, but the playtime can be extended up to 50 hours to complete all objectives. Furthermore, the title only offers a base difficulty, although this can be customized through the integrated accessibility options so that every player can enjoy the best possible experience.

For informational purposes, the developers assure that the new Control Resonant can be the entry point to their universe and that the order in which the games are played does not matter, although as in any good story, it is best to start at the beginning. The expectation for Remedy's most ambitious project to date is strong, but the general public will have their doubts cleared when the game is released for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation next Thursday, September 24th. But be careful, collectors remember that the physical version of the game will arrive a little later, in October.