Review scores for the new Control title, Control: Resonance, have been released: IGN gave it an 8, GameSpot a 9, and the Metacritic PS version, which aggregates reviews from 52 media outlets, currently holds an average score of 84.
IGN Score: 8, Great
Even though the combat system gradually loses its novelty, Control: Resonance remains another strong entry in the Remedy universe. While its story follows a fairly traditional framework, its charm lies in the fantastical world it builds and its humanizing portrayal of supernatural elements.
Summary
Control: Resonance may not be as deep as its RPG mechanics suggest, and it can feel a bit tedious in the later stages, but its sleek and stylish action system is built on a solid foundation, even if its edge eventually dulls. Like most Remedy games, its greatest strength lies in the content built around the combat system. The combat itself serves more as a clever vehicle to shape the protagonist Dylan’s character and guide players through one of the most creative open worlds I’ve ever seen. Surprisingly, this is one of Remedy’s most traditional stories, but that doesn’t mean it lacks bold innovation. The success of Control: Resonance stems from a convergence of brilliant moments—from intricate details in its masterful world design to plot twists that liberate characters from supernatural events. All in all, the charm of Control: Resonance is irresistible.
GameSpot Score
While I enjoyed how the story lets players rediscover characters from the original game and see how they’ve changed, one of my favorite characters is actually Dylan’s contact, Zoe DeVera. As a new character in the Control universe, she could have easily been just another typical voice on the other end of the radio, issuing orders to Dylan and driving the plot forward.
But Remedy gives her enough screen time to make her a relatable character as well. As events in the altered world continuously reshape the reality around them, what truly drives the story’s appeal isn’t the “New Weird” eerie situations, but the chemistry between Dylan and Zoe.
Beyond its outstanding art direction and surprisingly touching story, the core gameplay loop of Control: Resonance is more mainstream-friendly than any title Remedy has released since Max Payne. Such deliberate simplification could have been a major misstep if handled poorly, but that wasn’t the case. Even though Control: Resonance may thus appeal to a broader audience, Remedy didn’t sacrifice its unique identity to cater to the masses.
Control: Resonance is Remedy’s take on the semi-open-world character action genre. At first glance, this might seem like a genre players have experienced countless times, but when flawless combat design collides with the studio’s signature eccentric style at a cross-dimensional intersection, the result is an unforgettable and unique experience.
Pros
The art and level design are unique, almost unprecedented.
A combat system with considerable depth, room for thought, and constant evolution.
A vast city filled with wonders and memorable side quests.
Dylan’s deeply moving story delivers Remedy’s first tear-jerking experience.
A refreshed Remedy style that still retains that familiar “quirkiness.”
Cons
- Repeatedly figuring out the map layout and routes is quite frustrating.
