Remedy returns with a sequel to the 2019 PS5 hit Control and they’ve upped the ante by taking the ghouls and beasties of the Oldest House and letting them loose on an unsuspecting Manhattan
Action epic Control Resonant is one screwed up video game.
Fans of the 2019 hit Control will know all about maker Remedy’s mind-bending horror-laden supernatural storytelling.
But they take it to a new level altogether in this tense sequel, and add in a brand new protagonist and brawling mechanics to bring this thrilling title to life above and beyond its predecessor.
This time around you play Dylan Faden, a broken man who has been locked away for years by the Federal Bureau of Control in its Oldest House headquarters to stop him unleashing his powers on an unsuspecting public.
He’s the brother of the original’s hero Jesse, now the Director of the bureau.
Everything has changed outside of that hallowed building’s interior terrors after the first game.
Manhattan is now warped to the brink of paranatural annihilation thanks to other-worldly beasties breaking free from the FBC’s grasp and into the wider world.
The result is horrifying.
Streets filled with blood-red monsters, the skies directly above them littered with dead humans, hanging there, bent into grotesque shapes, and a city under siege from The Hiss and the Mold – enemies from another dimension seeping into our own.
Unlike his hero sister, dishevelled Dylan is a bit of a wild actor with supernatural powers.
As such the over-the-shoulder shooter gameplay of Jesse moves aside for a more blunt and brutal button basher of an action game where Dylan uses his powers and brute strength to deliver all kinds of physical damage to the villains in his way.
Jesse is of course now missing, and he’s on a mission to find his sister in a role reversal from the original, while agreeing to a pact with the remaining FBC to take out the horrors threatening humankind.
The action is frantic as this more open-world title packs in clever little platforming and puzzle elements alongside all-out battles across varied missions.
Every now and then this culminates in a giant boss battle, whether it’s a floaty giant killer human head or a molten man monster.
Each fight is tense and relies on you working out the weak points and moves of the boss before chipping away at their health meter until they drop.
That means you’ll get used to death regularly but, once you’ve clocked the in, it can feel wonderful to beat a major villain and progress the gripping horror story driving this game along.
There’s plenty of lore and narrative discovery throughout this city, little notes and moments to come across which help to further build out the wonderfully rendered world of Control.
There are side quests too to lengthen you time with Control Resonant outside of the main story, delivering a greater sense of freedom over the original.
Level design is good too, plenty of height across the city to traverse at speed, as well a underground dungeon-style train station spaces, lots of exploration.
And Remedy’s constant horror-on-a-screen and desire to offer visuals and experiences unique to video gaming will leave players constantly on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next big moment.
Visually, this is a stunning game on PS5 and the combat feels great to play in the controller.
The cut-scenes are Remedy at their best, with brilliant voice acting and mo cap really delivering that otherworldly terror amongst our heroes and baddies. Optional dialogue choices help to flesh out a light RPG element to this game.
Dylan’s melee gameplay evolves at a nice pace over time as his powers and weapons diversify, keeping the title feeling fresh.
And newcomers won’t feel overwhelmed by not playing the original as it stands on its own feet separately.
VERDICT 4/5