Control Resonant review (Image: REMEDY)
Control Resonant is one of those games that really benefits from when players go in blind. Despite adoring Remedy’s critically-acclaimed 2019 action game Control, I hadn’t really engaged much with Resonant, which as it turns out was the best thing I could have done.
Fully expecting an open-world version of Control, Resonant blindsided me with its radically altered action and setting. Gone is the third-person shooting in favour of a melee focused combat system that’s both fast-paced and thrilling.
It’s also challenging enough to provide a sense of satisfaction when you do overcome a particularly aggressive group of enemies.
Crucially, however, Control Resonant retains its predecessor’s sense of personality, all the while changing up the way you explore the world and battle enemies.
It’s a brave move from Remedy, but one that absolutely pays off, resulting in what at the time of writing is tied with Mina the Hollower as the most enjoyable game I’ve played this year.
Perhaps it’s just me, but I’ve always found New York to be a rather dull setting for an open-world game, probably because everything just feels a bit samey. Control Resonant’s embracing of all things weird and paranormal expertly circumvents this admittedly personal criticism, crafting a version of the Big Apple that’s an absolute blast to explore.
With the Hiss outbreak escaping the confines of the Oldest House, New York is a city transformed into a visually unique paranormal playground where paths disappear into bottomless pits and roads fold in on each other. It’s a striking aesthetic that looks like something out of Doctor Strange or Inception.
Gravity-defying abilities allow players to explore the uniquely bizarre representation of New York, allowing lead character Dylan to speedily navigate the surrounding area in a satisfying manner that kind of reminded me of Arkham City.
Much like Control, however, it’s the small details that makes the world so engaging. While jumping and dashing through the city battling enemies makes up the bulk of the game, it’s the smaller side stories and missions where Resonant really shines.
A great example of this is a mission involving an Altered Karaoke Machine that has been killing revellers from exhaustion.
The overarching story revolves around the hunt for missing Federal Bureau of Control director Jesse Faden by her brother Dylan Faden. His quest sees him battle some fabulously designed bosses and an absolute boatload of Hiss enemies across various quarantined zones in New York, including a Central Park area that has been overtaken by Mold.
If there’s one criticism you can level at Control Resonant it’s that the relentless hacking and slashing can become a tad repetitive, although constant upgrades and new abilities definitely helps to keep things fresh.
If you put in the time in to really explore, engage with its characters, hunt down side quests and read everything you find, Control Resonant overcomes any flaws to become one of the most enjoyable and entertaining games of the year so far.
While GTA 6 is likely to consume players once its November release date rolls around, Control Resonant is the perfect game to keep you busy until Vice City welcomes visitors.
