Control Resonant Hands-On: Remedy Shifts Gears for a New Supernatural Era

When Remedy released Control in 2019, it existed in a strange space—not quite a AAA blockbuster, but far more than a typical indie title. It thrived on a unique blend of brutalist office aesthetics and internet-era weird fiction. Now, with Control Resonant, the studio is intentionally breaking that mold. In my hands-on time with the opening act, it became clear that this sequel isn't interested in simply repeating the past; it is trading the claustrophobic, shifting corridors of the Oldest House for a fractured, Hiss-infested Manhattan.

Leaving the Oldest House Behind

Creative director Mikael Kasurinen describes the move to a larger, public setting as a deliberate inversion of the comfort players found in the original game. The Oldest House has seen better days, and the story picks up with Dylan Faden—Jesse’s brother—emerging into a city where reality has been shredded. The Hiss has spilled out from the Bureau, causing streets to fold and creating impossible chasms that isolate Manhattan.

Dylan is a different kind of lead. Seven years after the events of the first game, he is still haunted by his possession and time in a coma. He is more timid and stammers through his thoughts, a contrast to Jesse’s authority. To reflect this, Remedy has introduced dialogue choices that allow for player-driven characterization, even if they don't fundamentally shift the narrative path.

The Hack-and-Slash Pivot

The most immediate change is the combat. Control Resonant is a third-person hack-and-slash action-RPG, utilizing a new shape-shifting weapon called the Aberrant. In my demo, I swapped between three forms: a Bloodborne-inspired saw cleaver, a crowd-clearing scythe, and a whip for heavy attacks.

Remedy seems to have translated its flair for punchy feedback into this new genre. While it isn't quite as agile as Devil May Cry, the combat feels deliberate and satisfying. Stringing combos together—dashing, air-juggling enemies, and finishing with heavy bludgeoning attacks—feels natural once you unlock the full suite of powers. By the end of the session, I had access to a dash, the ability to fly, and a psychic punch, suggesting that the game will slowly layer complexity onto the player.

While the presence of multiple skill trees hints at potential AAA bloat, the confidence Remedy displays here is hard to ignore. Control Resonant is a massive swing, taking a beloved, weird universe and forcing it into a new, more conventional action shape. Based on the opening hours, I’m giving the team the benefit of the doubt—it remains one of the most consistently surprising developers in the industry.