Review Summary: Control Resonant
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Release Date: Out Now
Price: £49.99
Overview
Control Resonant marks a return to the unique world established in 2019’s Control, but it falls short of replicating the same extraordinary experience. Players step into the shoes of Dylan, Jesse Faden’s brother, navigating a blend of familiar environments and gameplay elements. Despite its strong character progression and vivid visuals, Resonant lacks the deep, surreal engagement of its predecessor.
Key Points
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Character and Setting: Players reunite with the Oldest House’s paranormal elements, transitioning from the confines of the bureau to the recognizable streets of Manhattan. The gameplay does not leverage the innovation of prior installments, featuring enemies reminiscent of titles such as Spider-Man and The Division.
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Gameplay Mechanics: The action features a mix of imaginative Kung Fu moves with a shapeshifting weapon. Combat lacks the finesse found in other action games but offers an assortment of supernatural abilities and visually captivating fights against various paranormal entities.
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Boss Encounters: The game introduces powerful enemies known as Resonants, who can significantly impact enemy dynamics based on player choices. The eerie and startling designs of these bosses highlight Remedy’s capability for creating a haunting atmosphere.
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Movement and Exploration: Dylan’s traversal abilities allow for acrobatic play while exploring vertical and dynamic environments, providing enjoyable open-ended exploration, in stark contrast to the original’s contained maze-like structure.
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Tonality and Narrative: The storyline shifts towards a more straightforward narrative focused on redemption, marking a tonal departure from the hallucinogenic experience of the first game. While entertaining moments exist, the story’s mainstream approach may leave fans yearning for the more abstract storytelling that defined Control.
Conclusion
While Control Resonant offers thrilling gameplay and a visually striking world, it may not fully satisfy those seeking the enigmatic and disorienting experience of the original. Nonetheless, it presents a fun and imaginative journey through a celebrated universe.
