Control is a third-person action-adventure game available on PC that places players in control of Jesse Faden as she navigates the shifting corridors and hidden sectors of the Oldest House.
Gameplay
Combat centers on the Service Weapon, a modular firearm that switches between distinct forms including Grip for standard fire, Spin for area coverage, Shatter for close-range impact, Pierce for penetrating shots, Charge for charged blasts, and Surge for rapid volleys. Players equip two forms at once and alternate between them during encounters.
Jesse gains psychokinetic abilities through Objects of Power. These include Launch to hurl environmental objects as projectiles, Evade for quick dashes, Shield to raise protective barriers from rubble, Seize to temporarily convert enemies into allies, and Levitate to achieve flight for repositioning. Two separate cooldown systems govern weapon use and ability activation, encouraging players to cycle between ranged attacks, telekinetic throws, and movement options in each fight.
Enemies include armed human agents and mutated variants with their own powers, requiring adaptation based on available tools and positioning. Exploration involves navigating the Oldest House, a structure that rearranges itself, with players uncovering new paths and abilities that expand movement and interaction options.
Game Modes
The core experience follows a linear story campaign divided into named missions that guide progression through different sectors of the Oldest House. These missions combine combat encounters, environmental puzzles, and ability-gated exploration.
Expeditions mode offers additional standalone challenges that test combat efficiency and ability use outside the main narrative. Assist Mode provides adjustable options such as reduced enemy aggression or simplified controls, allowing players to tailor difficulty without altering the core systems.
The included Alan Wake titles feature their own campaign structures, with Alan Wake's American Nightmare adding a distinct arcade-style mode focused on survival waves and new enemy types in Arizona-inspired locations.
The Setting and Narrative Context
Control unfolds within the Federal Bureau of Control, where paranormal threats manifest through altered objects and hostile forces. The Oldest House serves as the central hub, featuring distinct areas like the Executive Sector, Research Sector, and Containment Sector that players access as abilities improve.
References to earlier events in the Alan Wake series appear through in-game documents and cameos, establishing shared elements in the Remedy universe without requiring prior play. The bundle pairs these origins with Control's expanded content, including the Foundation and AWE expansions that add new sectors and story threads.
Is It Worth Playing?
Control suits players who enjoy single-player action-adventure titles built around ability-driven combat and environmental interaction. The Ultimate Edition bundles the base campaign with its expansions, providing a complete package of missions and modes on PC.
Player feedback highlights the satisfying rhythm of switching between the Service Weapon and psychokinetic powers, along with the distinctive architecture and ability progression. The bundle also delivers the foundational Alan Wake experience and its American Nightmare expansion for those interested in the connected story elements.
Those seeking a focused third-person experience with modular combat tools and supernatural mechanics will find the package aligns with that preference, especially at current pricing for the combined content.
