Control Expansion 2 "AWE" stands out as an action expansion for the third-person action-adventure title Control, where players take on supernatural threats in a mysterious government bureau. This add-on introduces a fresh sector filled with sealed dangers now unleashed, blending intense combat with exploration and puzzle-solving elements rooted in otherworldly phenomena.
Gameplay
In AWE, the core mechanics build on Control's foundation of third-person shooting combined with telekinetic abilities. Jesse Faden uses her Service Weapon, which now includes the Surge form that functions as a sticky grenade launcher for area control against groups of enemies. Combat often requires managing light and darkness, as certain foes thrive in shadows, forcing players to interact with environmental switches to illuminate areas and weaken threats. Exploration involves navigating the Investigations Sector, collecting documents and recordings that reveal backstory, while side activities focus on containing Altered Items with unique powers. The expansion emphasizes adaptive strategies, such as upgrading mods to enhance weapon performance or abilities for better survival in breached zones.
Game Modes
AWE operates within a single-player framework, featuring a main storyline with several key missions centered on reclaiming the Investigations Sector from invasive forces. Side missions expand the experience, tasking players with investigating and neutralizing specific Altered World Events, like the Bright Falls incident. These optional quests provide additional challenges and rewards, including new mods and insights into the game's lore, without introducing competitive or cooperative elements.
Story and Enemies
The narrative follows Jesse as she confronts a long-sealed threat in the Oldest House, linking to events from Bright Falls and involving the Federal Bureau of Control's history with anomalous occurrences. Enemies include the persistent Hiss forces, corrupted agents that swarm in waves, and manifestations of the Dark Presence, a shadowy entity that demands careful light management to defeat. This setup creates tense encounters where positioning and resource use become crucial.
Is It Worth Playing?
For those who appreciated Control's mix of action and mystery, AWE delivers a solid extension with about four to five hours of new content, earning a Metacritic score of 73 based on 19 critic reviews and a user score of 7.1 from 51 ratings. It appeals to single-player enthusiasts interested in narrative crossovers, particularly with its ties to Alan Wake, offering fresh weapons and missions without overhauling the base formula. If you seek more supernatural bureau intrigue and don't mind some repeated combat patterns, this expansion justifies the time, especially on Xbox One or Xbox Series consoles where it's available. However, those looking for major innovations might find it more of a familiar revisit than a transformative addition.
