Control Resonant is a standalone sequel to 2019’s Control. However, unlike the first game, this isn’t a third-person shooter, but rather an “action-adventure RPG” with fast-paced melee combat much like Devil May Cry.
It ditches the confines of the Oldest House for the sprawling, shape-shifting outskirts of a warped Manhattan. Jesse Faden is a looming presence in Resonant’s story, but her brother, Dylan Faden, takes center stage, this time around.
A lot is riding on Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment’s seven-year-in-the-making ambitious sequel. It’s a 30-50-hour, gameplay-heavy title with an in-depth progression system that offers plenty of room for buildcrafting. Simply put, it’s shaping up to be the studio’s biggest game to date.
Whether you’re a hardcore Remedy fan with adequate knowledge of Remedy’s connected universe or an RPG player simply looking to grasp this unique mind-bending adventure, there’s plenty to be excited about. Below, we break down everything you should know about Control Resonant.
Control Resonant release date countdown
Control Resonant arrives September 24, 2026, on PC (Steam, Epic Store, macOS), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S (Xbox Play Anywhere). There’s still time to pre-order Control Resonant and claim a few pre-order bonuses.
Control Resonant launch
Control Resonant story
Control Resonant puts you in the shoes of Dylan Faden, a parautilitarian who wakes from a years-long coma to find the streets of Manhattan overrun and corrupted by a mysterious supernatural entity called the Hiss.
Together with his newly acquired shape-shifting melee weapon, The Aberrant, Dylan ventures outside the confines of the Oldest House and into the warped Manhattan to overcome this new cosmic crisis and find her missing sister and FBC director, Jesse Faden.
At its core, however, Control Resonant is a story about what it means to be human in a reality-altering. In Control, Dylan was portrayed as a monster corrupted by the Hiss. In Control Resonant, he’s human, but much of his journey focuses on finding his humanity while navigating uncharted territories.
Remedy insists that 2019’s Control and Control Resonant are siblings, like the game’s protagonists, and each title stands firmly on its own. It means you don’t necessarily need to play Control before picking up Control Resonant, although it’s recommended as the latter picks up right after the events of the former.
That said, Control Resonant will feature a story recap for Control, which should give you an overview of the first game, in case you want to jump in directly.
Control Resonant gameplay
Control Resonant ditches the original’s stylish shooter roots for a brutal brawler route with Dylan. Remedy has emphasised consistently that buildcrafting is a vital aspect of gameplay in Control Resonant, a stark departure from the studio’s previous endeavours.
To that end, the first choice you have to make is to choose between one of Aberrant’s three weapon styles at the beginning of the game: Flurry, Slash, and Slice. Each encourages different playstyles.
Flurry, as the name suggests, consists of twin daggers capable of dealing a flurry of attacks in close range. Slash is a long Scythe that can damage multiple enemies in a single sweep. Slice is a hard-hitting hammer that deals slow but powerful attacks to anyone and everyone.
Each weapon style has its own upgrade path, which you can invest in to make it stronger. Like Jesse, Dylan has access to paranormal abilities. These include reitrations of the original such as the Rock Shield, and new additions like Ground Slam and Flame Wave.
While Control Resonant isn’t an open world game, it has multiple expansive explorable zones, which you can explore on your own accord. Each zone differs visually and structurally, and features platforming puzzles and varied enemy encounters.
Since it’s a gameplay-focused title, expect plenty of combat, including challenging boss battles with gigantic cosmic monsters called Resonant Entities.
That’s everything you should know about Control Resonant. Expect more in-depth coverage of the game, including our review, once it launches on September 24, 2026.
FAQs
Is Jesse Faden in Control Resonant?
Yes, Jesse Faden is a central figure in Control Resonant’s story.
Is Alan Wake in Control Resonant?
So far, there haven’t been any confirmation or indications that suggests the tormented writer will appear in Control Resonant.
Do I need to play Control before Control Resonant?
While it’s not needed, playing Control will give you a better understanding of some characters and plot points in Control Resonant.
Does Control Resonant have multiple endings?
No, there is a single ending to Control Resonant‘s story.
How long does it take to beat Control Resonant?
Control Resonant might take roughly 30-50 hours to complete.
Is Control Resonant coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Is Control Resonant coming to Xbox Game Pass?
No, Control Resonant is not coming to Xbox Game Pass at launch.
