Control Resonant Review: Remedy Reinvents Its Supernatural Action Series

Remedy Entertainment is taking a bold new direction with Control Resonant, the sequel to its acclaimed 2019 action-adventure game Control. Rather than simply expanding the original game's formula, the developer introduces a new protagonist, a dramatically different setting and a combat system that focuses more heavily on close-range fighting.

The result is an ambitious supernatural adventure that retains Remedy's distinctive storytelling and strange atmosphere while making significant changes to how players explore and fight.

Released on September 24, 2026, Control Resonant follows Dylan Faden, the brother of the original game's protagonist, Jesse Faden. Players must navigate a distorted version of Manhattan, confront paranormal threats and uncover the mystery surrounding Jesse's disappearance.

A New Protagonist Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest changes in Control Resonant is its main character. Instead of playing as Jesse Faden, players take control of Dylan, whose troubled history with the Federal Bureau of Control played an important role in the first game.

Seven years after the events surrounding the Oldest House, Dylan awakens during a new paranormal crisis. Jesse disappears, leaving him to investigate what has happened and search for his sister.

Dylan's personal history adds an emotional dimension to the story. His memories, past experiences and relationship with the Bureau help shape his journey as he discovers more about the forces affecting the world around him.

The change also gives Remedy an opportunity to explore familiar events from a different perspective while introducing new mysteries for longtime fans.

Manhattan Becomes a Reality-Bending Playground

The original Control was largely set inside the Oldest House, a mysterious building filled with shifting rooms and supernatural phenomena. Control Resonant moves the action into a distorted version of Manhattan.

The city is transformed by paranormal forces that twist buildings, alter gravity and make familiar locations behave in impossible ways.

Instead of following a completely conventional open-world structure, the game features large areas that players can explore while completing story missions, discovering secrets and tackling optional activities.

Environmental design remains one of Remedy's strongest qualities. Streets, buildings and landmarks become part of the supernatural experience, encouraging players to look beyond ordinary paths and investigate unusual surroundings.

Melee Combat Replaces the Original's Shooter Focus

Combat represents one of the most significant departures from the first game.

While the original Control emphasized ranged combat with the Service Weapon and supernatural abilities, Control Resonant puts greater emphasis on melee attacks.

Dylan uses a shape-shifting weapon called Aberrant, alongside paranormal powers and movement abilities. Players can combine attacks, evade enemies and use their abilities to handle increasingly challenging encounters.

This change creates a faster, more aggressive combat experience. However, it also makes the game feel quite different from its predecessor.

Some reviewers have praised the new system for its ambition and action-oriented design, while others have criticized certain encounters for feeling repetitive or enemies for absorbing too much damage.

Exploration and Movement Feel More Dynamic

Movement is another important part of the sequel.

Dylan can traverse the environment using supernatural abilities that allow for more flexible movement and access to unusual locations. These mechanics complement the game's distorted architecture and encourage experimentation.

Exploration is not simply about moving from one mission marker to another. Players can discover hidden encounters, optional quests and additional details about the world.

However, progression can feel restrictive during the early stages before more movement abilities become available. The experience becomes more rewarding as players unlock additional skills and gain greater freedom to navigate the environment.

Graphics and Performance

Remedy continues to emphasize atmosphere, lighting and distinctive visual design in Control Resonant.

The altered Manhattan setting provides opportunities for dramatic environmental effects, unusual architecture and scenes that challenge the player's understanding of space.

PC players also have access to advanced graphics technologies, including path tracing and NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 support, according to reporting on the game's technical features. Performance will depend on hardware and graphics settings.

Console players may need to choose between visual quality and smoother performance, depending on their preferences and the game's available graphics modes.

Although the visuals remain impressive, not every scene delivers the same impact as the most memorable moments from the original game.

Storytelling Remains a Major Strength

Remedy has built its reputation around unusual narratives, interconnected mysteries and characters with complicated histories.

Control Resonant continues that tradition, but it places more emphasis on Dylan's personal journey and his search for Jesse.

The supernatural crisis provides the central conflict, while optional quests and memories help develop Dylan's character and reveal additional information about his past.

The shift toward a more direct character-driven story may appeal to players who want a stronger emotional connection to the protagonist. However, fans who preferred the original game's mysterious atmosphere and unconventional storytelling may find the sequel's approach different from what they expected.

What Are the Main Pros and Cons?

These points reflect themes in published reviews rather than a universal verdict.

Platforms and Availability

Control Resonant launched on September 24, 2026, for the following platforms:

• PlayStation 5

• Xbox Series X|S

• PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store

A PC version is available alongside the console releases. Players should check their preferred storefront for current regional pricing, editions and system requirements.

Final Verdict: A Bold New Direction for Remedy

Control Resonant demonstrates Remedy Entertainment's willingness to take creative risks rather than simply repeat the success of its previous game.

The shift to Dylan Faden, the distorted Manhattan setting and the melee-focused combat system gives the sequel its own identity. At the same time, the game preserves the supernatural mysteries and unusual visual style that made Control stand out.

Some aspects of the new formula may divide players, particularly the combat and more expansive structure. Nevertheless, the sequel offers a fresh experience for fans interested in supernatural action, unusual worlds and story-driven adventures.

For players who enjoy Remedy's distinctive approach to game design, Control Resonant is worth considering, especially if they are open to a different kind of Control experience.