- Control Resonant is now available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, starring Dylan Faden.
- Remedy is preparing New Game++ in October, photo mode in November, and more cosmetics for Dylan.
- The game guide covers main missions, resonant bosses, powers, artifacts, big boxes, and drawings.
- The PS5 version takes advantage of DualSense and a larger world inspired by a warped Manhattan.
Control Resonant is now available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Remedy's latest title plunges players into a paranormal crisis once again, though this time the focus isn't on Jesse, but on his brother, Dylan Faden , who must navigate a twisted version of Manhattan and learn to live with powers that are as useful as they are dangerous.
In addition to the launch, the studio has shared its plans for the coming weeks. The idea is to continue refining the experience and engaging with the community, with new modes and cosmetics arriving via updates. One of the most noteworthy points is that some player requests may be incorporated into future patches.
What comes after the premiere
Those who have already finished the campaign can replay it with New Game+, which preserves their progress on a second playthrough. But Remedy wants to go further and has confirmed New Game++ for October , designed to allow players to play through the game repeatedly without losing their previous achievements. The community had requested more flexibility, and the studio seems willing to provide it.
Another eagerly awaited addition is photo mode, which will arrive in November . The company explained that it listened to virtual photographers in its community to ensure the tool goes beyond the basics. The idea is to allow users to pause the action, adjust the camera, and apply filters, although the full scope of its options has not yet been detailed.
Remedy also explained why photo mode wasn't available from day one: they preferred to focus their efforts on ensuring the game launched in the best possible condition. Now that the game is officially released, it's time to expand the content. Furthermore, more cosmetic outfits for Dylan are promised in future updates, though no specific date has been given.
Meanwhile, the team reminds players that there are still cosmetic items to be found in the game, such as those exclusive to the newsletter and the test dummy outfit, which can be obtained by watching Twitch streams. These are optional items, but they offer more room for customization.
Dylan Faden and a strange New York
The Remedy team explained that Dylan's design aims for deliberate realism. Although the character can levitate or use spectacular abilities, his animations show effort, clumsiness, and disorientation. This combination allows the player to connect with him: not everything is power without consequences , and that's part of the conflict.
The sequel retains the dynamic destruction and reactive environments of the original, but takes them to a more open setting. Hitting the ground or generating a shockwave can cause leaves to fly, fire hydrants to activate, or objects to be sent flying. The new threat, known as Patterning , allows for the creation of strange and unforgettable imagery within a ravaged Manhattan.
To make the supernatural shine, Remedy juxtaposes familiar, everyday locations. Central serves as a more normal landmark on the map, while the strangest spaces are reserved for the most impactful moments. This blend of the familiar and the insane is one of the hallmarks of this bizarre New York.
The studio also mentioned that using a real city presented some challenges. For example, phone booths disappeared long ago in real New York, but they still exist in their fictional universe. They're not aiming for an exact replica, but rather a retro, cinematic version where objects and environments serve the gameplay.
The Breach, that gray and austere space linked to Dylan's psyche, also plays a key visual role. Its creators drew inspiration from film and iconic locations to depict a cold and oppressive place, closely tied to the protagonist's past in a concrete building. The idea is for the player to feel the weight of his captivity in the environments as well.
Another striking mission is the Sink, where gravity is distorted and combat can occur from walls and ceilings. Its origins lie in a prototype for exploring increasingly complex underground environments, drawing inspiration from cave diving, the deep sea, and subway tunnels. When the team determined that any walkable surface could be used, the gameplay changed completely.
The resonant bosses were conceived as tests of skill. Remedy solicited ideas from the entire team, selected those that best fit each encounter, and developed prototypes before finalizing their appearance. Each boss revolves around a theme, such as mycelium-inspired control of people or a hive mind, and seeks to convey majesty or divinity through medieval and ecclesiastical references.
Powers, abilities and equipment
Dylan's progression relies on movement powers and combat abilities. Movement powers include double jump, levitation, dash, reach, and dash. Some are unlocked during Jesse's search in the Rifts, such as reach in the Subway Rift or dash in the Raid Rift, while others depend on progressing through the main story. Exploration and combat go hand in hand.
As for offensive abilities, there are options like Discharge, Shield, Volatile Anomaly, Ignite, Conflagration, Push, Shockwave, Fungal Discharge, and Outbreak. Many are obtained by defeating bosses such as The Performer, The Fugitive, The Dancer, or The Collective, though not all of these encounters are mandatory. The player will have to choose which abilities to keep active and can change their configuration from the Breach using reset items.
Artifacts are another key piece of equipment. Dylan can carry up to three at a time , and each offers passive combat, survival, or special stats. They are crafted in the Breach by investing Origin and resources, and some can be purchased from shops for 1000 Origin. Others are awarded for completing side missions or defeating certain Resonants. Examples include the Amulet, Moldy Chocolate Bar, Star Bracelet, Wallet, Paint Spray, Stethoscope, Pill Bottle, Ornate Buckle, Carpenter's Hammer, Mask, Lighter, Mother's Medal, Practice Knot, 11-60 Badge, and Protector.
The main story is divided into three arcs and fourteen core missions , according to the guide. In addition, there are three rift missions focused on finding Jesse. The subway rift grants range, the raid rift unlocks transition, and the underpass rift doesn't add any new powers, though it remains relevant to completing the story.
Explore, upgrade, and collect
The world is filled with large resource crates, which function like special chests for obtaining health or energy upgrades. They appear scattered throughout areas such as the Center, the Base, the Evacuation Zone, the West Raid Zone, the Park, the Underground Passage, and the Unknown or Ignotus area. Finding them all helps Dylan become more resilient and gives him more leeway in combat.
There's also room for more relaxed collectibles, like the drawings in Dylan's notebook. There are eleven scenes scattered across specific locations, and completing them unlocks a trophy or achievement related to the theme "It's not all work." Some examples include a beach day, a cat picnic, a dream house, a one-man band, a Halloween party, a bird paradise, a dragon, and a spaceship landing. Each one requires placing objects in a specific position.
The published guide also covers side quests, boss fights, materials and resources, artifacts, powers, talents, outfits, secret hiding places, sketchbooks, and frequently asked questions. It's designed for those who want to get the most out of the game without missing a thing, from the toughest battles to Manhattan's deepest secrets .
PS5, DualSense and a bigger world
Remedy explained that they wanted to open up the game in terms of exploration, progression, and narrative. To achieve this, they increased the draw distance, the number of objects with physics, and the number of enemies on screen. In fact, the studio considers this their biggest game to date, with a single area potentially surpassing any of their previous titles. The scale is one of the most noticeable changes.
On PS5, the DualSense controller also plays a significant role. The built-in speaker can play radio messages, and the adaptive triggers provide resistance and subtle clicks when using certain abilities. This allows you to better feel the power of the abilities without relying so heavily on the interface, which is especially useful when the action gets intense , similar to how some users transfer a Discord call to their PS5 for better coordination.
Control Resonant presents itself as a sequel that expands the Control universe , changes the protagonist, and opts for a more open world without abandoning combat against strange creatures. With Dylan Faden at the helm, a warped Manhattan, unlockable powers, artifacts that change gameplay, and a fairly extensive structure of missions and collectibles, the title offers plenty of content to keep players engaged. Remedy has already set its sights on post-launch content, including New Game++, a photo mode, and more cosmetic items, while the guide helps answer any questions that may arise during gameplay.