Control Resonant Hands-On: Remedy’s Newest Hits Harder Than Ever

If you are looking to clear space in your September calendar, Control Resonant is the game to watch. After spending three hours with the title at PlayStation's London headquarters, it is clear that developer Remedy Entertainment has delivered something that feels like a "greatest hits" collection of their recent work.

The game serves as a follow-up to the original Control, but it is far from a standard sequel. While the first game focused on Jesse Faden and the Service Weapon, Control Resonant puts you in the shoes of her brother, Dylan, and swaps gunplay for a tactile, high-energy melee combat system.

A Refined Approach to Storytelling

The most immediate change is how the plot is delivered. Remedy has taken the cinematic storytelling prowess seen in Alan Wake 2 and applied it here. The narrative follows Dylan’s escape from the Oldest House into a reality that feels pulled from the pages of Inception. The result is a gripping, unpredictable campaign that effectively utilizes FMV and real-life video effects overlaid onto the gameplay.

Melee Combat and Customization

Combat in Control Resonant is a significant departure from the previous entry. You choose from three distinct weapon types at the start, ranging from quick, light swipes to slow, devastating attacks. As you progress, you unlock a second melee weapon, a finishing armament, and supernatural abilities like throwing rocks or summoning fireballs.

There is a satisfying weight to every encounter. Whether you are using a whip-like weapon to clear the room or charging a rocky hammer to crush enemy health bars, the combat rewards experimentation. It is an agile, experimental approach that makes clearing rooms of Hiss feel fresh and impactful.

Exploring the Extraction Zones

Outside of the core story missions, the game features open areas called Extraction Zones. While the build I played was a stripped-back version, these areas are designed to host side quests and NPC interactions. You can return to these zones between main story beats to explore or tackle side activities like protecting soldiers and clearing districts of enemies.

There is also a progression layer tied to these zones. Each area has a "Zone Level" that increases as you complete tasks, unlocking perks like better vendors, additional bounties, and increased currency gain. It remains to be seen how these districts flesh out in the final game, but they offer a promising avenue for testing your combat build outside of the linear campaign.

Control Resonant is an ambitious pivot for the franchise. By marrying the cinematic direction of Alan Wake 2 with a more experimental combat loop, Remedy has managed to create a game that feels both familiar and entirely new. You can jump into the full experience when it launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X on September 24, 2026.