Has it really been 7 years since the first Control?
Goodness, I still remember being intrigued with the concept of bureaucratic systems being seeped into the other-worldly experiences, as we become the outsider, now looking in for the first time in search for our lost sibling. It’s still a marvel of a first outing, and very lore-expanding that when we see the same Federal Bureau of Control appear in Alan Wake 2. Connecting them together like an unbreaking family bond 
And so, we return to the Oldest House once more, and fortunately, someone has left the doors open for us to explore beyond the walls, and perhaps getting weird with it too. As we dive into the paranatural as the other Faden.
Presentation
Control Resonant is, without a reason of a doubt, gorgeous. From the warm color palettes that bakes the Manhattan skies to the harsh red flicking lighting that indicates you the Hiss is close by as your traverse the lopsided streets, or the eerie yet mesmerizing designs of the Boss encounters that you would be subjected to as part of our search for the FBC Director. It just lends itself well with how incredible the art design of the Control games is. 
The console performance side is as you what might expect for the base PlayStation 5, with a solid 60fps 1440p resolution for the Performance mode, and 30fps at 2160p resolution (with FSR) for the Quality Mode that has all the bells and whistle looking might shiny and ethereal at times. Both look incredible in motion, but I would recommend playing it on the Performance mode because it does get very busy once you are unleashed with many varieties of enemies on screen, so a solid frame-rate is a must.
The Audio design shines still in Resonant, with how the music kicks in during combat encounters to help motive you to take down the Hiss and such, while the downtime sees you hearing the chatter of the FBC Rangers. who aren’t really keen with the person that took out many of their compatriots in the last game and would be hostile to you at the start. It helps tells you that the Bureau isn’t all sunshine after 7 years, so Dylan has got to earn that trust.
We also get introduced to our FBC Handler Zoe, as our ears within the facility, who also doubles as our main quest giver and even voice of reason at times, while also being our contact for the music portions of the game, since these are within her Mixtape, per say. And while I do miss Old Gods of Asgard, the new OST does let itself really well within the game, especially the track “Another World”, which I won’t spoil where it plays BUT, I’d say it’s up there with the “Take Control” segment in the first game.
And what can I say about the UI? It’s welcoming to see the big BOLD text of the level making a grand return that helps punctuate the place before stepping into a level. It works in Alan Wake 2, it definitely works well here as well. As for the gameplay UI, it’s serviceable, clear and concise that helps with the immersion of the game, with the introduction of the compass that helps navigate the Maze that is Manhattan rather well, I might add.
Really, presentation-wise, Control Resonant is still keeping up with the standard that Remedy themselves have set in their other single player games and that’s great to know,
Gameplay![]()
The combat, to me, feels like a mix of the likes of Onimusha and some hints of Elden Ring, with Dylan being able to do air combos, parrying and dodging attacks as you would do in a character action game. It’s both punchy and has some weight as you try to take down the enemies that feels relentless. b
But like the greats of this genre, you can take them down rather easily once you level up yourself in the Gap, where you can put points in your skills at the behest of the DIRECTOR, who also sometimes does color commentary throughout the story.
Traversal around Manhattan is quite interesting, with majority of the locale being topsy-turvy that both goes into one another, and even flipped around, so as you gain more power, you get to traverse much like how Jesse did, and now even walk on the walls of the many apartments around the city, which can lead to a bit confusing at times, especially when everything kicks off in the later stages, but I think some trial and errors could make anyone get the hang of it.
But if the going gets tough, then Control Resonant has one of the most robust Assist modes that you can have in hand right from the get go. With the ability to even adjust timing, enemy aggression and such, it helps players who want some support in the gameplay or just want to mess around after finishing the game, it’s for those who play it their way, regardless of what others think.
Content![]()
From start to finish, we’re looking at a game that could sees players finishing Resonant around 27 hours at least, and that’s with doing most of the stuff in the game, especially doing the many Resonant excursions that you’ll encounter in order to find out where in the world is the FBC Director, Jesse Faden.
It’s quite a premise that puts us, the player, as a blank slate since Dylan has been under a coma for the past few years and after the happenings of the last game. So essentially, he has to basically prove to the Bureau, especially the Rangers who are openly badmouthing you after the Hiss incident, that you have changed and wanting to help save his sister. Plus, there’s like a few that you meet across the game would fully trust him, mainly Zoe and two of the returning cast from the first game, Emily Pope and Langston, for their own motives, of course. 
A rather fascinating take of the Faden’s sibling dynamics too I feel, which we now see things from the other perspective, and it does give more insight into stuff that we have only read through in the first game, especially the reasoning behind the Prime Candidate program that Dylan basically despises. And, even in some instances where we do see Jesse, it does delve into how close they were before that one big AWE event.
And that’s all I could say without spoiling the story really, because I feel that Remedy’s stories are always fun to experience head first, be it for the first time as a newcomer or even as a long-time fan of this series.
Personal Enjoyment![]()
I have mentioned this back in 2023, but it truly is always a joy to be playing something new from the folks at Remedy.
Be it a new character action stuff like this one, or the incredible gunplay of the original Control, Alan Wake 2 and even Quantum Break. Heck, even the smaller scale stuff like FBC: Firebreak or that Campaign mode within CrossfireX has some uniqueness to it gets me giddy to see what they have cooked up this time.
Like I can count the number of developers that I would be seated for within a single hand, and even if their projects are days, months or even years apart, You will see me getting exciting for new Remedy stuff at all times.
Verdict![]()
Control Resonant really knocked it out of the park with this one, with its usual witty charm and incredible gameplay loop, the game being released in the most coveted year for video games and then standing tall like this, it is no doubt they got another masterpiece on their hands.
Do pick it up when you have the chance and enjoy the ride.
Played on PlayStation 5, Review copy provided by Remedy Entertainment.
Control Resonant
They really knocked it out of the park with this one, with its usual witty charm and incredible gameplay loop, the game being released in the most coveted year for video games and then standing tall like this, it is no doubt they got another masterpiece.
- Presentation 9.5
- Gameplay 9.5
- Content 9.5
- Personal Enjoyment 9.5