Control Review: Is It Worth Playing?

What is Control?

Control is a supernatural action-adventure game released in 2019. It was developed by Remedy Entertainment, the studio known for the Max Payne series and Alan Wake. The game is published by 505 Games. The player takes on the role of Jesse Faden, who arrives at the Federal Bureau of Control, a secretive United States government agency that investigates and contains paranormal phenomena. The Bureau is housed in the Oldest House, a brutalist skyscraper in New York City that serves as the game's primary setting.

The narrative opens with Jesse searching for her brother, who disappeared years earlier after a paranormal event in their hometown. Upon entering the Oldest House, she becomes the new Director of the Bureau after the previous director is killed. The building itself is in chaos, overrun by an otherworldly force known as the Hiss. The plot unfolds through a mix of live-action cutscenes, in-game dialogue, and collectible documents. The story draws heavily on surrealist and conspiratorial themes, with influences from the works of authors such as Jorge Luis Borges and the television series The X-Files. Critic consensus at release praised the narrative ambition and the world-building, though some reviews noted that the story's resolution left several threads open for future expansions.

Gameplay

Control is a third-person shooter with a strong emphasis on telekinetic powers. The core combat loop involves using a service weapon, a shape-shifting firearm that can take multiple forms, alongside a set of supernatural abilities. The primary powers include telekinesis, which allows the player to tear chunks of the environment and hurl them at enemies; a dodge that can be upgraded to a short-range teleport; and a shield generated from debris. Later abilities include launching the player into the air and a mind-control attack that can temporarily turn enemies against each other.

The game's structure is a connected world, often described as a "Metroidvania" style of design. The player gains access to new areas of the Oldest House by unlocking abilities and finding clearance-level keycards. This encourages backtracking and exploration, with many optional side missions and hidden areas. The combat is fast-paced and often chaotic, with enemies that teleport, fly, and use ranged attacks. User reviews on platforms such as Steam consistently highlight the fluidity of the movement and the satisfaction of combining gunfire with telekinetic throws. However, a recurring criticism in both critic and player feedback is the difficulty spike in certain boss encounters and the occasional frustration of the checkpoint system, which can force lengthy re-runs through cleared areas.

The game also features a light RPG element in the form of a skill tree. Points earned from completing missions and side objectives can be spent on upgrading health, energy, and the effectiveness of each power. Weapon mods and personal mods can be equipped to further tailor the playstyle. The upgrade system is straightforward, and most builds remain viable, but it does not offer the depth seen in dedicated RPGs.

Who is Control for?

Control is best suited to players who enjoy narrative-driven action games with a strong atmosphere and a willingness to engage with abstract storytelling. The game does not hold the player's hand when it comes to lore; much of the backstory is delivered through optional documents, audio recordings, and environmental storytelling. Players who prefer a linear, straightforward plot may find the fragmented delivery frustrating.

The combat system rewards experimentation and quick reflexes. Players who enjoy games like the recent Doom titles or the combat of Remedy's earlier work will find familiar ground, but the telekinetic mechanics add a distinct layer of strategy. The difficulty is generally moderate, but it assumes a baseline competence with third-person shooters. Those who are looking for a relaxed or exploration-only experience will not find it here, as combat is frequent and unavoidable.

The game's tone is serious and often eerie, with occasional moments of dark humour. It is not a horror game in the traditional sense, but it uses suspense and uncanny imagery extensively. Players who are sensitive to jump scares or disturbing visual content should be aware that the game contains several such moments. The setting, a brutalist office building, is intentionally drab and oppressive, which suits the tone but may not appeal to those who prefer colourful or varied environments.

Graphics and performance

Control was praised at release for its technical presentation, particularly its use of real-time ray tracing on compatible hardware. The game was one of the early showcases for this technology, and official documentation from Remedy and NVIDIA highlighted the implementation of ray-traced reflections and indirect diffuse lighting. On high-end PCs of the era, the game could produce visually striking results, with realistic glass reflections and dynamic lighting that contributed to the eerie atmosphere.

The art direction is a major strength. The Oldest House is a maze of concrete corridors, office cubicles, and maintenance shafts, but the game frequently shifts into surreal, shifting spaces that defy physics. These sequences are visually memorable and have been widely cited in reviews as a highlight. The character models and facial animations are competent but not exceptional by modern standards.

Performance, however, was a point of contention at launch. Aggregated player reviews on Steam and other platforms reported significant frame rate drops, stuttering, and occasional crashes, particularly on PC. Many of these issues were addressed in subsequent patches, and the game now runs acceptably on a range of hardware. On consoles, the base versions of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ran at lower resolutions and frame rates, but the game was later updated for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, offering improved performance and visual fidelity. The current generation versions are widely regarded as the definitive way to play, though the game was also released on the Nintendo Switch via cloud streaming, which has received mixed feedback due to the inherent limitations of that approach.

Value for money

Control is a moderately sized game. A typical playthrough of the main story takes between ten and fifteen hours, depending on how much side content the player pursues. The game includes a substantial number of side missions, many of which are well-designed and expand the lore. There are also two major story expansions, titled The Foundation and AWE, which add several hours of additional content. These are sold separately or included in the Ultimate Edition, which bundles the base game and both expansions.

The pricing structure has been consistent with industry norms. The base game launched at the standard full price, and the Ultimate Edition has been offered at a premium. However, the game is frequently discounted during sales events, and it has been included in subscription services such as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass at various points. For players who are willing to wait for a sale or use a subscription, the value proposition is strong. The game offers a complete, self-contained narrative, and the expansions add meaningful content rather than simple filler. User reviews generally indicate that the length and content justify the asking price, particularly when purchased at a discount.

Verdict

Control is a distinctive and ambitious action-adventure game that succeeds in creating a memorable atmosphere and a satisfying combat system. The telekinetic powers are a genuine highlight, and the combat remains engaging throughout the campaign. The narrative is intriguing and well-acted, though it requires patience and a tolerance for ambiguity. The technical presentation, particularly with ray tracing, was ahead of its time, and the art direction remains striking.

The game is not without flaws. The difficulty curve can be uneven, and the checkpoint system can lead to frustration. The performance issues at launch were a legitimate concern, though they have largely been resolved. The story's conclusion may disappoint those who prefer clear answers, as it deliberately leaves many questions open. The Metascore for the game reflects a strong critical reception, and the general consensus across user reviews is positive, with the caveat that the game is not for everyone. It is a recommended purchase for fans of action games with a supernatural bent, provided they are comfortable with a heavy dose of surrealism and a willingness to piece together the narrative themselves.