Control Resonant Review

In 2019, developer Remedy Entertainment released Control Resonant, a departure from its metroidvania roots and a bold exploration of the world they had previously created. The game follows the story of Dylan Faden, the brother of the first game's lead character, Jesse Faden, and a director of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC).

Dylan's journey begins with a traumatic past, as he was subjected to abusive experiments conducted by the FBC, which left him with superpowers he struggles to control. Despite this, Dylan volunteers to assist the FBC, wearing a shock collar that keeps him in line. The game takes place in a New York City that has been folded upon itself due to an interdimensional event, resulting in the Oldest House's failure to contain the Hiss outbreak.

Control Resonant focuses on the lives of its characters and offers a more straightforward narrative compared to its predecessor. The game's action is described as slick and responsive, with a focus on melee combat and up-close encounters with paranormal entities. Players control Dylan's melee weapon, the Aberrant, which can transform into various forms such as swords, scythes, hammers, and drills, depending on the action being performed.

The game's RPG elements are present but not overly complex. Players can customize Dylan's abilities and weapons through skill trees and weapon upgrades, but the core gameplay remains largely consistent. Combat is designed to reward aggression, with enemies spawning minions and dealing heavy damage. Players must focus on eliminating heavy enemies and managing their power meter for special abilities.

Control Resonant's strength lies in its conceptual consistency with the original game, while also offering radical differences in its open-world, stylish action approach. The game successfully balances the paranormal conspiracy elements with a more character-driven story, creating a unique and engaging experience for fans of the franchise.