After the recent Xbox Showcase and Summer Game Fest, I’ve been reflecting on the titles that left the strongest impression. While many games grabbed attention, Remedy Entertainment’s upcoming sequel, Control Resonant, has stayed with me the most. In fact, playing the demo was so compelling that it motivated me to go back and complete the original Control and its DLCs in a single weekend.
The original game didn’t immediately click for me; the pacing felt slow, and I struggled to get into the groove. However, Resonant flips the script entirely, offering a more immediate, action-oriented experience that highlights Remedy’s strengths in world-building without the initial friction.
A shift from guns to melee combat
The most significant change in Control Resonant is the gameplay style. While the original title relied heavily on telekinetic powers mixed with gunplay, the sequel leans aggressively into melee combat and action-RPG mechanics. You play as Dylan Faden, Jesse’s brother, who wields an aberrant tool that transforms into various melee weapons.
In my hands-on time, I tested a few of these forms. The basic slashing attacks felt responsive, but the two-handed heavy hammer stood out. It delivers satisfying, high-impact hits that can flatten enemies, though the wind-up animation does leave you vulnerable if you mistime your swings. This shift toward close-quarters combat feels more intuitive and fluid than the ranged focus of its predecessor.
Expanding beyond The Oldest House
The setting also expands significantly. While Control was largely confined to the claustrophobic, shifting corridors of The Oldest House headquarters, Resonant takes place in a Manhattan decimated by The Hiss signal. This extra-dimensional threat has spread beyond the Bureau, turning civilians into hostile shadows of their former selves.
Dylan Faden can platform and hover from the start, allowing for rapid traversal across the urban landscape. It reminds me somewhat of games like InFamous or Prototype, though it remains more linear and focused rather than a full open-world sandbox. This wider playground offers a refreshing change of pace compared to the office-like environments of the first game.
Boss battles and narrative intrigue
The demo concluded with a boss fight against a gigantic, disembodied head. Unlike many modern action games that try to emulate Soulslike mechanics, this encounter felt like a well-executed old-school hack-and-slash battle. The attack patterns were telegraphed clearly, making it easy to follow even on higher difficulties. It was a marked improvement over some of Remedy’s previous boss designs.
Narratively, the stakes are higher than ever. Dylan is thrust into apocalyptic chaos immediately, dealing with the fallout of The Hiss spreading through New York. For fans of conspiracy thrillers like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, the lore remains dense and intriguing. Questions about The Board, the nature of The Hiss, and the complex relationship between Jesse and Dylan continue to drive the mystery forward.
What this means for you
Control Resonant launches on September 24, 2026. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store with Xbox Play Anywhere support), and PlayStation 5. If you enjoyed the lore of the original but found the gameplay loop lacking, this sequel might be the entry point you need. The shift to melee combat and a broader setting suggests a more dynamic experience that could appeal to fans of action-RPGs.
I highly recommend giving the original Control another chance before launch. The world-building is exceptional, and understanding the context of the Federal Bureau of Control enhances the impact of Resonant. With a crowded release schedule in September featuring titles like Wolverine and Silent Hill: Townfall, Control Resonant is currently my top priority.
Source: Windows Central
Over to you: Are you planning to replay the original Control before trying Resonant, or will you jump straight into the sequel?
