Control Resonant is how video games should be done
Remedy Entertainment’s upcoming Control Resonant represents a bold creative direction for the studio, marking a significant departure from its established formula while building on the supernatural foundation of 2019’s Control. Though technically a sequel, the game functions as both a direct follow-up and an entirely new entry point, with Remedy positioning the two titles as complementary sides of the same coin rather than a direct narrative continuation.
The game shifts focus to protagonist Dylan Faden in a character action framework reminiscent of Devil May Cry and Platinum Games’ work. Armed with the Abberant—a shapeshifting melee weapon—players navigate an open-ended modern world featuring reality-bending environments, including surreal settings like an infinite bedroom dimension. The gameplay loop combines familiar elements: skill trees, resource-gathering, item upgrading, and platforming mechanics with double-jumps and dashes, alongside hot-swappable weapons, aerial combos, and perfect-dodge combat systems.
Most notably, Resonant abandons the signature element of all previous Remedy titles: the prominent primary pistol. Instead, the game emphasizes telekinetic abilities and melee-focused combat. Early hands-on experiences reveal a meticulously constructed experience that, while incorporating recognizable gaming conventions, feels distinctly assembled through Remedy’s distinctive creative vision. The game’s flexibility regarding play order—playable regardless of prior experience with the original Control—positions it as an accessible entry point for newcomers while offering expansion for existing fans.