An Action-RPG Built On Creepypasta

Remedy Entertainment is shifting the trajectory of its supernatural universe with the upcoming release of Control Resonant. According to creative director Mikael Kasurinen, the sequel departs from the confined, brutalist environment of the original 2019 title to explore a more expansive, conventional setting in New York City. The game introduces a new protagonist, Dylan Faden, and adopts a third-person hack-and-slash action-RPG format.

Did You Know? The original Control featured the “Oldest House,” a skyscraper in Manhattan that serves as the headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Control, an agency tasked with containing supernatural phenomena like a fridge capable of housing powerful beings and a floppy disk that grants psychic powers.

Shifting Settings and Gameplay Mechanics

The transition from the “Oldest House” to the streets of Manhattan is a deliberate creative choice. Kasurinen notes that the team wanted to invert the sense of comfort established in the first game by moving the narrative into a larger, more public environment. This shift allows the developer to present a world where the “Hiss”—an otherworldly enemy from the first game—has breached containment, causing reality to fold and creating impossible chasms throughout the city.

The gameplay itself marks a departure from the shooter mechanics of the predecessor. Players control Dylan Faden, who utilizes the “Aberrant,” a shape-shifting weapon capable of transforming into a saw cleaver, a scythe, or a whip. According to early previews, the game emphasizes fast-paced combos, air juggles, and a suite of supernatural abilities that players unlock early in the experience, contrasting with the slower progression seen in the 2019 title.

Character Development and Narrative Stakes

Dylan Faden’s characterization is defined by his history of possession and a subsequent seven-year coma. Actor Sean Durrie describes the character as more timid than his sister, Jesse, noting that the game incorporates player-driven dialogue choices to facilitate personal characterization. While these choices are unlikely to alter the core trajectory of the plot, they provide a framework for players to define Dylan’s search for purpose.

Expert Insight: By moving away from the “cult classic” AA status of the original, Remedy appears to be aiming for a broader appeal with Control Resonant. The move toward a hack-and-slash action-RPG structure suggests a strategic pivot to leverage the “Remedy Connected Universe,” which links this title to the Alan Wake series. However, the introduction of complex skill trees may signal a transition toward more conventional AAA game design tropes, which could present a trade-off between accessibility and the unique, weird-fiction identity that defined the series’ initial success.

Future Outlook for the Franchise

The release of Control Resonant is expected to serve as a major expansion of the narrative established over the last decade. As the Hiss continues to bleed into the real world, the game may explore threats beyond the Hiss, potentially involving entities such as Polaris or the Former. The inclusion of skill trees and a more expansive map suggests that the game will offer a longer, more varied progression system than its predecessor. Whether this shift toward a more “conventional” shape will maintain the audience’s interest in the franchise’s hallmark supernatural weirdness remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the protagonist of Control Resonant?
The protagonist is Dylan Faden, the brother of the first game’s heroine, Jesse.

How does the gameplay differ from the original Control?
While the first game was a shooter, Control Resonant is a third-person hack-and-slash action-RPG that utilizes a shape-shifting weapon called the Aberrant.

Is the game still set inside the Oldest House?
No, the sequel takes place largely on the streets of Manhattan, as the narrative follows Dylan after he leaves the Oldest House.

What elements of the original Control’s atmosphere do you hope to see preserved in this new, more conventional setting?