Control Resonant Expands the Scale But Loses Some of Its Narrative Edge
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Control Resonant takes Remedy's supernatural franchise to the streets of Manhattan with a broader action-RPG focus, though it sacrifices some of the tight narrative atmosphere of the original game.
Remedy Entertainment is back with Control Resonant, an action-RPG focused follow-up that trades the tightly contained halls of the Oldest House for a fractured, reality-warping Manhattan. Playing as Dylan Faden, fresh out of a coma and dealing with the aftermath of Hiss and Mold threats spilling into the open city, players find themselves tackling a much broader canvas. Eurogamer's recent review notes that while the jump to a larger, triple-A style environment brings grand spectacle and new traversal mechanics, it also dilutes the distinct atmospheric claustrophobia that made the original game so memorable.
The shift in scope introduces open-world trappings like map markers, faction side stories, and field events that sometimes clash with the urgent pacing of the main narrative. Combat remains a familiar mix of basic melee and supernatural abilities using the morphing Aberrant weapon, though it still falls short of feeling truly weighty. Fortunately, the game recaptures its signature weirdness when Dylan delves into subterranean areas like the Underpass, where classic cosmic horror and sharp environmental storytelling take center stage.
For a modern player base accustomed to live-service chore boards and sprawling digital maps, Control Resonant hits an interesting middle ground. It balances ambitious design with a few too many routine fetch quests, but its commitment to quirky worldbuilding and striking art direction keeps the journey compelling. Whether you are playing on console or PC, it is a fascinating, if occasionally sprawling, new chapter in Remedy's interconnected universe.
Tags: Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment, Action RPG, PC Gaming, Console Gaming
Original article: Eurogamer