Control, the 2019 action-adventure developed by Remedy Entertainment, throws players into the enigmatic Oldest House, headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control. As Jesse Faden, a young woman searching for her brother, you become the unwilling Director of the Bureau, wielding a shape-shifting gun and supernatural abilities to combat a destructive force known as the Hiss. Control is a wild ride through a bureaucratic labyrinth, equal parts brutal combat and cryptic storytelling.
A Brutally Satisfying Combat System
Control’s core gameplay loop revolves around frenetic third-person shooting and destructive environmental manipulation. Jesse’s Service Weapon transforms between pistol, shotgun, and grenade launcher modes, offering a versatile toolset for blasting through Hiss-controlled enemies. The real star of the show, however, is Jesse’s supernatural abilities. Launch objects with telekinesis, slam enemies with a powerful ground pound, or shield yourself from harm. Mastering these abilities and combining them with weapon fire creates an incredibly fluid and dynamic combat experience.
Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Controls: 8
Story: 9
Engaging: 8
Overall: 8.4
Traversal adds another layer of depth. Jesse can grapple to levitating control points or launch herself through the air with a burst of levitation. This freedom of movement encourages aggressive tactics, letting you zip around the battlefield, raining destruction on enemies from unexpected angles. Combat encounters are intense and often chaotic, requiring quick thinking and mastery of your diverse abilities to survive.
A World of Shifting Architecture and Bureaucratic Mystery
The Oldest House is the true star of Control. This ever-shifting building serves as both your base of operations and a vast, explorable world. Brutal concrete hallways twist and turn, morphing as you navigate. Ordinary office spaces transform into psychedelic landscapes, and everyday objects become powerful tools. Exploring this unpredictable environment is a constant source of surprise, keeping you engaged as you hunt for hidden secrets and lore.
The Bureau of Control itself is shrouded in mystery. Collectable documents and environmental storytelling slowly unravel the Bureau’s cryptic history and its role in containing supernatural threats. The narrative unfolds through fragmented messages, psychic visions, and environmental details. Players who piece together these fragments are rewarded with a deeper understanding of the Oldest House’s wonders and its connection to a larger universe hinted at in Remedy’s other games like Alan Wake.
A Haunting Atmosphere and Stellar Voice Acting
Control’s atmosphere is a masterclass in unsettling dread. The Oldest House is a lonely and oppressive place, its sterile concrete corridors punctuated by flickering lights and the unsettling hiss of the corrupted reality. Environmental storytelling through audio recordings and disturbing imagery paints a vivid picture of a place consumed by a paranormal disaster.
The voice acting is another highlight. Courtney Hope delivers a phenomenal performance as Jesse Faden, capturing her vulnerability, determination, and growing sense of power. Matthew Modine is equally excellent as the enigmatic former Director, his gravelly delivery adding weight to the Bureau’s mysteries.
Some Snags Snag the Experience
Control is not without its flaws. The map system can be frustrating, often failing to clearly indicate objectives or your current location within the constantly shifting Oldest House. The story, while intriguing, can feel obtuse at times, relying heavily on environmental details and collectables that some players may miss. Performance issues are also present on older consoles, with frame rate drops occurring during particularly chaotic combat encounters.
A Must-Play for Action and Weird Fiction Fans
Despite its flaws, Control is a remarkable achievement. The brutal combat, supernatural powers, and shifting world of the Oldest House create an unforgettable experience. For players who enjoy unraveling mysteries and embracing the weird, Control is a must-play.
Delving Deeper: A Look at Control’s Merits and Mechanics
Control offers a wealth of content beyond the main story campaign. Here’s a closer look at what awaits players willing to plumb the depths of the Oldest House:
Abilities and Customization
Jesse’s supernatural abilities are central to Control’s gameplay. Players unlock new skills through experience points gained in combat and exploration. These skills enhance existing powers or grant entirely new ones, such as launching enemies into the air or creating a protective bubble of telekinetic force. This customization allows players to develop a playstyle that suits their preferences.
Weapon upgrades add another layer of personalization. Players can mod the Service Weapon to enhance its damage, fire rate, and special effects. These mods can be found throughout the Oldest House or crafted using resources gathered during exploration. Experimenting with different weapon configurations keeps combat feeling fresh and engaging.
A World of Secrets to Uncover
The Oldest House is a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be discovered. Optional missions scattered throughout the environment offer challenges and rewards. Investigating distorted areas can lead to hidden areas containing lore documents and powerful weapon mods. Environmental puzzles challenge players to think creatively and utilize their abilities in new ways.
The Bureau and its Fringe Benefits
The Bureau of Control offers a variety of upgrades and services to enhance Jesse’s capabilities. Research performed by Bureau scientists can improve Jesse’s health and abilities. Central Executions provide opportunities to re-roll weapon mods and craft rare items. By completing Bureau objectives and collecting hidden resources, players can continuously improve their chances of survival in the Oldest House.
The Expeditions DLC: A Glimpse Beyond the Bureau
Control’s season pass content adds two expansions to the game. The Foundation takes Jesse underground on a mission to recover a missing Bureau agent and uncover the secrets of a hidden facility. AWE sees Jesse depart from the Oldest House to investigate a dimensional rift in a remote town. These expansions offer new environments to explore, enemies to combat, and lore to unravel, further fleshing out the world of Control.
A Look at the Competition: How Does Control Stack Up?
Control occupies a unique niche in the gaming landscape. Its blend of supernatural action and environmental storytelling shares similarities with games like Alan Wake (also developed by Remedy) and Quantum Break. However, Control’s emphasis on destructible environments and telekinetic combat sets it apart. For players who enjoy fast-paced action with a heavy dose of strangeness, Control delivers a distinctive experience.
A Visual and Auditory Feast
Control’s technical achievements deserve recognition as well. The game utilizes a proprietary engine capable of rendering the shifting architecture of the Oldest House in stunning detail. Brutal concrete gives way to psychedelic otherworlds, all seamlessly connected within a single, expansive environment. The destructive environments add another layer of visual impact. Hurl objects through walls, shatter glass partitions with a telekinetic blast, and leave a trail of debris in your wake as you battle through the Hiss.
Control’s sound design is equally impressive. The hiss of corrupted reality creates a constant sense of unease, while the bone-crunching impact of Jesse’s powers conveys the weight of her supernatural abilities. The score is a masterful blend of ambient synths and industrial rock, perfectly complementing the game’s unsettling atmosphere.
A Port to the Next Generation
The release of Control Ultimate Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S addressed many of these performance concerns. This version of the game boasts a smooth 60 frames per second experience at higher resolutions, taking full advantage of the next-generation hardware’s power. If you have the option, playing Control on a newer system is the definitive way to experience the game’s visual prowess.
A Legacy of Weirdness: Control’s Place in the Gaming Landscape
Control represents a departure from the typical military shooters and open-world adventures that dominate the gaming industry. Its commitment to strangeness and environmental storytelling creates a unique atmosphere that stays with players long after the credits roll. Control is a game for those who enjoy being challenged both mentally and physically, a worthy successor to Remedy’s lineage of genre-bending experiences.
In Conclusion: A Must-Play for the Discerning Gamer
Control is an uneven but ultimately rewarding experience. Its brutal combat, supernatural powers, and shifting world create a truly memorable adventure. While a demanding map system and cryptic narrative may frustrate some players, those who persevere will be rewarded with an inventive combat system, a haunting atmosphere, and a world unlike anything else in gaming. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to think outside the box and embraces the weird, Control is a must-play.