**Control Resonant: A Comprehensive Review**
*Release Date:* September 24th, 2026
*Developer & Publisher:* Remedy Entertainment
*Platforms:* Windows
*Price:* $60 / £50 / €60
*Reviewed on:* AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 32GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 5080, Windows 11
Control Resonant, a sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s original Control, dives headfirst into an exhilarating blend of melee combat and cosmic mysteries, leading players through a reality-bending experience set in an open-world version of Manhattan. This review explores the key elements that make this game stand out, from its engaging combat system to its immersive storytelling.
**Gameplay Mechanics and Combat**
The game introduces players to Dylan Faden, the previously antagonistic brother of Jesse from the original game. As Dylan embarks on his journey to find his sister, he utilizes the Aberrant, a shapeshifting weapon that offers various melee forms including hammers and scythes. Combat starts simply with a three-hit combo for each weapon type, but as players progress, they unlock active abilities that add layers of depth to battles.
Combat encounters are intensely dynamic, creating chaos filled with sparks, debris, and supernatural abilities. The game’s mechanics encourage aggressive play; players are rewarded for pushing forward rather than merely avoiding damage. This combat philosophy sets Control Resonant apart from its predecessor, promoting a more engaging and fluid experience in melee battles.
**Boss Battles and Upgrades**
Boss battles in Control Resonant vary in quality. Some deliver memorable challenges while others rely on excessive health bars and high damage output. Nevertheless, defeating these bosses provides significant rewards, including new combat powers and abilities. The upgrade system is notably well-constructed, balancing the rare resources required for enhancements across all melee forms, ensuring that players remain flexible in their combat approach.
Additionally, Dylan’s talent tree includes geographical elements that level up different areas in Manhattan, improving drop rates and item potency as players explore. This mechanic motivates exploration and aligns well with the game’s open-world design.
**Narrative and Environment**
The narrative centers on Dylan’s quest for redemption, intertwined with relationships, notably with Jesse and Zoe, a new character aiding him through radio dialogue. Players experience deeper connections through choice-based interactions, enhancing the emotional weight of the story.
Manhattan itself acts as a vibrant character, filled with bizarre and surreal elements that maintain the tone of the original Control. Side quests often involve uniquely altered items, presenting humorous and engaging challenges that break up the intensity of combat.
**Visuals and Technical Performance**
Control Resonant showcases impressive graphics, with Remedy’s hallmark ray tracing and advanced visual effects enhancing the immersive environment. However, the game does show signs of needing polish, as some users reported bugs and performance issues on certain hardware configurations, particularly in busy scenes.
**Conclusion**
Control Resonant represents a bold and impressive evolution of the Control franchise, transforming from a slow-paced shooter into an action-packed melee experience that embraces creativity and character-driven storytelling. While there are some technical issues, the overall design and execution make it a remarkable addition to Remedy’s repertoire. The game successfully balances chaotic combat with emotional depth and an expansive world, fulfilling a promise to deliver captivating cosmic oddities alongside engaging mechanics.
