Home NewsControl 2: Resonant – Remedy Explains Its Entirely Different Approach

Control 2: Resonant – Remedy Explains Its Entirely Different Approach

by Jonathan Dubinski

Key Takeaways

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  • Control Resonant, the upcoming sequel to Control (2019), aims for immediate commercial success by focusing on improved storytelling and gameplay.
  • The game features more complex and diverse enemies with distinct combat roles, including evolved Mold and Hiss factions, some of which can be defeated to unlock new abilities.
  • Combat system shifts towards action hack-and-slash gameplay, featuring a modular weapon called Aberrant that morphs based on player needs and choices.
  • Remedy is striving for a more open level design compared to the original, incorporating outdoor environments with verticality and mobility, and offering endgame activities like SHUM mode.

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Remedy Entertainment plans to return to the spotlight in 2026 with Control Resonant, the highly anticipated sequel to their 2019 game, Control. While the first game earned critical acclaim, it didn’t achieve the commercial success that its most ardent fans felt it deserved. With this sequel, Remedy aims to combine top-notch storytelling with stellar core gameplay to achieve immediate commercial success. In their latest dev diary, Remedy outlines plans to dedicate more resources to the gameplay team during the development of Control Resonant. The sequel will feature more complex and diverse enemies, with evolved Mold and Hiss factions. Enemies now have distinct combat roles and vary greatly in shape and size. Players can acquire new abilities by defeating these “Resonants.” The game is also shifting towards a more open level design compared to the original.

The dev diary also compares Dylan’s combat style to Jesse’s. The weapon, called Aberrant, only appears during use and morphs based on the player’s needs and choices. Endgame activities will include the return of SHUM mode. Enemy factions are said to have more complex and varied playstyles than in the first game. The game is described as shifting from a third-person shooter to an action hack-and-slash game, reminiscent of beat ’em ups like Devil May Cry. With its largest dedicated team for this domain, Remedy aims to deepen its formula by integrating more RPG mechanics while staying true to its narrative identity. This shift, which Remedy has been exploring since the first Control, is explained in a detailed, seven-minute video. The developers aimed to envision what could be a “Remedy-style RPG.”

One major evolution in Control Resonant is the combat system. Enemies are more intricate and varied. The Hiss and Mold factions have evolved, giving enemies clear combat roles and diverse shapes and sizes. By defeating Resonants, players can unlock new abilities by returning to a mystical spot within Dylan’s mind. In combat, the player can wield the Aberrant, a weapon that only appears during use and morphs based on player needs. Unlike the gun from the first game, the Aberrant can change shape according to player needs and choices, starting with a selected initial form that will evolve further. This modularity posed a significant technical challenge for Remedy’s teams, especially regarding animation, since some forms appear briefly onscreen. The developers claim to have overcome this challenge by focusing on transitions and visual effects tailored to these changes. Also, unlike the first game, which confined players to closed arenas, the sequel adopts a more open approach with outdoor environments, encouraging players to exploit level verticality and mobility by chaining ground attacks, quick movements to high points, and aerial strikes. The opposing factions, including the Hiss and Mold, have also undergone an in-depth overhaul and are now influenced by the real world, becoming more aggressive and unpredictable.

Enhanced Player Experiences and Narrative Focus in Control Resonant (2026)

Remedy stated that they had considered player feedback from the first game, including the addition of multiple save slots, allowing players to start several games simultaneously and experiment with different approaches. The game will also offer endgame activities, including the return of SHUM mode, an arcade cabinet from the first Control that offered challenging challenges accompanied by online rankings. However, Remedy emphasizes that narrative remains central to the experience. The studio aims to better balance its priorities, paying more attention to the quality of interactions at every stage of the game and player progression. Control Resonant is slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, macOS (via Steam and the Mac App Store), and PC (available on Steam and the Epic Games Store).

In Case You Missed It

While you’re here, don’t miss out on Jonathan Dubinski’s recent post from February 18th, “Last Chance: Epic Games Store Gives Away ‘Nobody Wants to Die’ and ‘The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark’ for Free”. In this piece, Dubinski alerts us to two must-play games available gratis on the Epic Games Store until Thursday. So, hurry up and grab these fantastic titles before time runs out! Last Chance: Epic Games Store Gives Away “Nobody Wants to Die” and “The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark” for Free

But that’s not all, gamers! Bruno Pferd has published an exclusive digital presentation on March 5th, revealing more about Remedy Entertainment’s upcoming title, Control Resonant. This insightful piece delves into the game’s shift from its predecessor, focusing now on Manhattan and introducing a fresh protagonist, Dylan. Unlike Jesse Faden, Dylan will be the sole playable character, with combat emphasizing aggressive melee attacks over firearms, and no parry mechanics to set it apart from soulslike games. Intrigued? Dive into this comprehensive sneak peek here Remedy Confirms Jesse Won’t Be Playable in Control Resonant

And speaking of Control, Sophie Laurent’s recent piece on “Control 2: Resonant”, published February 17th, has got us even more excited for this sci-fi thriller. The article dives into the supernatural gameplay and unstable gravity promised in Remedy Entertainment’s upcoming sequel, featuring an innovative Aberration weapon that transforms instantaneously into various forms. With its unique evolving zones filled with secrets and a new character, Zoe de Vera, this game is shaping up to be a groundbreaking experience across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. Read all about it here Control 2 Resonant Reveals Its Supernatural Gameplay and Unstable Gravity

Control 2: Resonant - Remedy Explains Its Entirely Different Approach show 6

Specification
Official NameControl Resonant
Brief SummaryAfter years in confinement at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), Dylan Faden’s former captors are deploying him at the peak of a supernatural crisis.

Charged with combating a mysterious cosmic entity as it alters fundamental aspects of our reality, Dylan must harness his new-found powers to take the fight to the myriad threats overwhelming Manhattan.

Join Dylan in this sequel to the multi-award-winning CONTROL to explore the expansive zones of a city overrun by the corrupting influences of the chaotic Hiss and invasive micro-organism, the Mold, and other twisted paranatural threats.

On the path to unlocking the full potential of his supernatural abilities Dylan will also seek out his sister, FBC Director Jesse Faden, as he bids to comprehend and contain the dangers that have spilled beyond the confines of the Oldest House to tear our world apart.

Explore a warped Manhattan on the brink of paranatural annihilation in this thrilling action-adventure RPG. Unleash the extraordinary powers of Dylan Faden as he fights for his humanity and survival against a reality-bending cosmic threat.

PlatformsPlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Mac
ReleasedJune 30, 2026
GenreRole-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Play ModesSingle player
Content RatingM
LanguagesChinese (Simplified), English, Korean
GenreRemedy Entertainment
GenreRemedy Entertainment

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