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The world of Control left a lasting impression on players with its surreal environments, mind-bending abilities, and the mysterious halls of the Federal Bureau of Control. Now, Remedy Entertainment appears ready to expand that universe in a bold new way with Control Resonant.
While the original game focused heavily on ranged combat and telekinetic powers through its protagonist Jesse Faden, this upcoming title introduces a new playable character and an entirely different combat philosophy. Instead of simply continuing the same formula, Remedy seems determined to experiment with new gameplay systems, deeper player customization, and a more dynamic world.
Based on the latest preview and developer insights, Control Resonant looks like a fascinating evolution of the franchise. From a new protagonist named Dylan to an open-zone interpretation of Manhattan, there’s a lot to unpack about this ambitious new entry.
A Fresh Entry Point for New Players
One of the most welcoming aspects of Control Resonant is that it doesn’t require players to have prior knowledge of the series. While fans of the original Control will certainly recognize certain themes and mechanics, Remedy designed this new title so that newcomers can jump right in without feeling lost.
This accessibility comes largely from the introduction of a new protagonist. Instead of following Jesse Faden again, players will step into the shoes of Dylan, a character whose journey appears to take the story in a completely different direction. By focusing on Dylan’s perspective, the developers can introduce the world, its strange powers, and its conflicts from a fresh viewpoint.
For longtime fans, this also means discovering the universe again through someone else’s experiences. Familiar elements will return, but the narrative focus shifts enough to make Control Resonant feel like its own story rather than a simple continuation.
From the Oldest House to the Streets of Manhattan
The original Control was almost entirely set within the mysterious The Oldest House, the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control. That setting was iconic, constantly shifting and filled with impossible architecture. Control Resonant, however, takes players outside.
The game’s main setting is a version of Manhattan that has been largely evacuated. At first glance, that might sound like a straightforward urban environment, but Remedy is known for turning ordinary places into surreal experiences. Based on early previews, Manhattan in Control Resonant will be filled with supernatural anomalies, shifting terrain, and strange phenomena that warp the environment.
Remedy also wants to emphasize that the game is not fully open world. Instead, they describe the structure as large zones connected by a linear progression. Players will move through different districts of Manhattan in a defined order, but within each zone there will be significant freedom.
This means you’ll be able to:
- Explore alternate paths through environments
- Discover hidden secrets and collectibles
- Solve puzzles scattered across the map
- Engage in optional combat encounters
- Complete side quests or world events
In other words, the structure seems similar to modern open-zone games where exploration is encouraged without completely abandoning narrative pacing.
The Gap: A Dreamlike Hub for Character Builds
One of the most intriguing new mechanics introduced in Control Resonant is a place called “The Gap.” At any point outside of combat, players can press a button to enter this dreamlike mental space inside Dylan’s mind. The Gap essentially functions as a character customization hub, allowing players to reshape their abilities and playstyle.
This system appears to be one of the most important parts of the gameplay loop. After defeating powerful bosses known as Resonants, players can return to The Gap to unlock new abilities. These decisions influence how Dylan fights and interacts with enemies moving forward. Interestingly, Remedy hasn’t yet confirmed whether players will eventually be able to unlock every ability they skip. This means the choices made in The Gap could potentially define your build for much of the game.
The developers also allow players to test abilities before committing to them, which is a great feature for experimentation. It encourages players to try different styles rather than feeling locked into a single option too early.
Melee Combat Takes Center Stage
Perhaps the biggest surprise about Control Resonant is its combat direction. While the original Control relied heavily on telekinetic powers and firearms, this new entry focuses primarily on close-quarters melee combat. Remedy describes the game as “a melee game first and foremost.”
This is a dramatic shift in design philosophy. Instead of keeping enemies at a distance, players will now be encouraged to stay close to the action. Dylan wields a special weapon that can take multiple forms, and mastering these forms will be central to surviving the game’s challenges.
However, the transition to melee doesn’t mean abandoning the supernatural abilities that made the original game so exciting.
Dylan can still:
- Hover through the air
- Manipulate environmental objects
- Turn enemies into temporary allies
- Use powerful abilities to stun or control enemies
In fact, the ability system seems designed to complement aggressive melee combat rather than replace it.
Ability Resource and Aggressive Gameplay
Control Resonant rewards players who stay on the offensive. To use special abilities, players must first build up an ability resource meter. The main way to fill this meter is by striking enemies with melee attacks. This design creates an interesting combat rhythm.
Players attack enemies with their melee weapon to generate resources, spend those resources on abilities, stun enemies, and then execute them for additional bonuses. Successfully performing an execution grants a temporary melee boost, allowing players to repeat the cycle even faster.
The result is a gameplay loop that constantly encourages movement and aggression rather than cautious defensive play. Unlike Souls-style games where patience and careful observation are key, Control Resonant seems to embrace fast, proactive combat.
Bosses Known as Resonants
The central objective of Control Resonant revolves around defeating powerful entities known as Resonants. These bosses are described as former “persons of power” who have transformed into supernatural threats. Each Resonant appears to have unique abilities and mechanics that make their battles memorable.
Because the combat is more personal and melee-focused, these boss fights are expected to feel intense and close-range. Instead of attacking from afar, players will likely need to stay close to these enemies, dodging attacks while landing strikes and triggering abilities. Defeating a Resonant also unlocks new rewards in The Gap, tying boss encounters directly into character progression.
Weapon Forms and Combat Customization
Dylan’s primary weapon is known as the Aberrant Weapon, and it can take multiple forms depending on the player’s preferences.
Players can select different primary weapon forms, including:
- Axe
- Dual Daggers
- Scythe
Each form likely changes the speed, range, and crowd-control potential of your attacks.
Secondary weapon forms add even more variety. These include:
- Hammer
- Nunchuck-style staff
- Drill
The game allows players to mix and match these forms, creating unique combinations that suit different playstyles. For example, a scythe might be ideal for hitting multiple enemies at once, making it perfect for builds focused on summoning allies or generating ability resources quickly. This flexibility ensures that even though melee combat is the focus, players will still have plenty of ways to customize their fighting style.
Build Variety: Summoners, Aggressors, and More
Another exciting element of Control Resonant is the apparent diversity of character builds. During previews, one ability that stood out was summoning. This allows Dylan to call allies onto the battlefield who can attack enemies on his behalf. A summoner build might focus on generating ability resources quickly so these companions can remain active as often as possible.
Other builds could focus on:
- High-damage melee attacks
- Crowd control abilities
- Mobility and evasive playstyles
- Hybrid melee-ranged combat
Talents also play a major role in shaping builds. Some provide passive bonuses like increased damage after executing an enemy, while others reward skillful play. For example, a perfect dodge talent might grant a temporary damage boost when players successfully avoid an attack at the right moment. This design ensures that even defensive actions can create offensive opportunities.
Exploration and Secrets
Remedy wants exploration to feel meaningful rather than overwhelming. Instead of cluttering the map with dozens of icons, the developers aim to highlight only a few significant activities. This design philosophy encourages players to discover things naturally rather than simply following markers.
Manhattan will likely hide many secrets throughout its zones, rewarding players who explore side paths and investigate unusual locations. Given Remedy’s history with environmental storytelling, it’s also possible that hidden lore and narrative clues will be scattered throughout the world.
A New Dialogue System
Another interesting addition is a new dialogue system. Although most of Manhattan has been evacuated, players will occasionally encounter NPCs who remained behind. When interacting with them, players can choose how Dylan responds during conversations.
These choices influence how characters react to you and can have consequences later in the game. However, Remedy has confirmed that Control Resonant will only have one ending, meaning these dialogue decisions likely affect smaller story outcomes rather than the ultimate conclusion. Still, having the ability to shape conversations adds another layer of role-playing to the experience.
Customization and Character Style
Customization also appears to be expanding compared to the first game. Outfits will return, allowing players to change Dylan’s appearance. In addition, players will be able to individually modify hairstyles and gear. While this feature might seem cosmetic, it contributes to the feeling that Dylan is truly your version of the character.
A Dynamic Manhattan
One of the most mysterious elements of Control Resonant is its evolving world. Remedy has hinted at a new enemy respawn system that could change how Manhattan behaves over time. This might mean that certain areas become more dangerous, new enemies appear, or the environment itself changes as the story progresses.
If implemented well, this could make the city feel alive and unpredictable, encouraging players to revisit locations even after completing major objectives. It also suggests that the game might offer strong replayability, especially if different builds or choices lead to new combat experiences.
A Promising New Direction
Control Resonant represents a fascinating shift for the franchise. Rather than simply recreating the formula that made the original Control successful, Remedy appears determined to experiment. The focus on melee combat, customizable builds, and open-zone exploration signals a new direction that could make the series feel fresh again.
At the same time, the core identity of the franchise remains intact. Supernatural abilities, surreal environments, and mysterious storytelling still form the foundation of the experience. If the developers can successfully balance these new systems with the atmosphere and creativity fans expect, Control Resonant could become one of the most unique action games in recent years.
For now, many details remain under wraps. But based on what we’ve seen so far, Remedy’s next journey into the strange world of paranormal powers looks incredibly promising.