Mikael Kasurinen Discusses World-Building in Control at Gamescom Latam by Julyana Barradas

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Mikael Kasurinen, a pivotal creative force at Remedy Entertainment, has shaped the studio’s modern identity. As director, he guided foundational titles like Alan Wake and Quantum Break, culminating in his leadership of Control. This latter project epitomized his approach to fragmented storytelling through in-game documents, and dense, atmospheric environments. Kasurinen is recognized for seamlessly integrating complex gameplay mechanics with a brutalist visual style, making the environment an active participant that reacts dynamically to player actions. Control marked a significant maturation of Kasurinen’s authorial voice, moving away from traditional linear structures in favor of a 3D Metroidvania approach that allowed for unconventional exploration of the Oldest House, the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). The announcement of Control Resonant sees Kasurinen expanding this narrative universe. The game centers on Dylan Faden’s story, offering a perspective from a different side of the ongoing saga. In a developer diary released at Gamescom Latin America, Kasurinen detailed the reimagined setting of Manhattan, a twisted metropolis sculpted by paranatural forces.

In Control Resonant, players embody Dylan Faden, navigating a warped Manhattan where a cosmic entity distorts gravity and reality. This new installment introduces a level-up system where abilities evolve based on player choices. Combat incorporates environmental manipulation, elemental powers, and a transforming melee weapon known as the Aberrant. Mikael Kasurinen, Creative Director for Control Resonant, described the game’s Manhattan as a “wild playground that twists reality,” teeming with paranatural action and offering players significant agency, power, and consequences. Art Director Elmeri Raitanen noted that Control Resonant provides a departure from the FBC’s Oldest House, inviting players to mold Dylan’s powers, explore mysterious realms, confront ever-changing threats, and uncover the FBC’s secrets.

Dylan Faden is dispatched by his former captors at the FBC to combat a strange cosmic phenomenon that is warping reality and twisting Manhattan. Players will explore various parts of this vast, altered city as the invading cosmic force reshapes the environment. The game features a system for developing Dylan’s powers, with players facing dynamic threats through elemental abilities, environmental interaction, and the Aberrant melee weapon. The narrative aims to explore the motivations of characters within this fractured Manhattan, delve into Dylan’s identity, reveal more about the FBC, and expose terrors threatening humanity. Raitanen highlighted that Control Resonant offers a refreshing change from the “boring concrete walls of the Oldest House” from the first Control. Kasurinen’s work on the original Control established a surrealistic aesthetic inspired by the New Weird movement, where the mundane intersects with the impossible within a bureaucratic setting. That game featured a combat system centered on Jesse Faden’s telekinetic abilities.

Duality Unraveled: Dylan’s Ascent in Control Resonant Explores Moral Ambiguity

According to Kasurinen’s Gamescom Latin America presentation, the core concept of Control Resonant is to explore the duality between the Faden brothers, treating Jesse and Dylan as fundamental forces akin to Yin and Yang. While Jesse embodies order, containment, and leadership of the FBC, Dylan represents chaos, influence, and a profound connection to the astral plane. This creates a narrative balance where each brother’s existence is intrinsically linked to understanding the other. The gameplay in Control Resonant will also diverge from the first title, focusing more on close-quarters combat, resembling titles like Devil May Cry. By elevating Dylan to the protagonist role, Kasurinen aims to explore the morally ambiguous spaces between morality and paranormality. In Control’s universe, worldbuilding is not merely a backdrop but forms the foundation of gameplay, reinforcing the narrative and further intertwining Control’s events with the broader shared universe developed by Remedy Entertainment. Control Resonant is slated for release in 2026, with a specific date yet to be announced. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

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