Control Resonant Preview Proves Remedy's Radical Sequel Direction Is Paying Off
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Rock Paper Shotgun's hands-on preview of Control Resonant reveals that Remedy's radical shift toward fast-paced melee combat and mutated enemy designs is paying off, trading horror for aggressive action.
Remedy Entertainment is shifting gears for its upcoming supernatural sequel, moving away from the survival horror of Alan Wake II and leaning into high-speed action. According to a recent hands-on preview by James Archer at Rock Paper Shotgun, Control Resonant swaps out much of the original game's gunplay for intense, close-quarters melee combat. Players step into the shoes of Dylan Faden, who wields a shapeshifting weapon that transitions between a hammer, spear, axe, and nunchucks. Combat draws inspiration from character action staples and smooth brawlers, pushing players to stay aggressive rather than hiding behind cover.
The shift in perspective comes with a distinct change in enemy design and worldbuilding. Instead of fighting mostly human-shaped thralls, Dylan faces heavily mutated, demonic entities and surreal architecture fused with city geometry, like an upturned bus trying to crush the player. Lead game designer Sergey Mohov noted that the team wanted to break away from defensive playstyles seen in many modern melee titles, aiming instead to make the player feel like an unstoppable supernatural monster hunter.
Beyond the fast-paced combat, the preview highlights a fascinating tonal pivot for the studio. While keeping the strange, brutalist flavor that fans of the franchise expect, the sequel introduces surprising narrative nods and atmosphere shifts that distance it from the first game. For a community that loves deep lore and high-octane gameplay loops, Resonant is shaping up to be a confident evolution rather than a safe retread.
Tags: Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment, Rock Paper Shotgun, Action Games, PC Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun