Control Resonant brings back the same fusion of weapons-based combat and telekinetic powers, but the overall application and tone are vastly different. As Dylan Faden, Jesse’s brother, players are encouraged to be aggressive, getting up close and personal with enemies. Because, as Remedy’s Miika Huttunen reveals on the PlayStation Blog, “aggression fuels power.”
Essentially, attacking enemies with your melee weapon, the Aberrant, will recharge your Combat Abilities, which can stun enemies. You can then execute them for increased melee damage, albeit for a period, and the cycle begins anew. The Aberrant has Primary and Secondary Forms with unique skills (like launching enemies in the air by attacking after a dodge), and you can also unlock Combo Enders for more damage.
However, if you’re looking for something a little different, then Remedy has you covered. “For example, you might lean into a heavy close-range build or opt for a more tactical setup using summons like Mold Turrets, which attack independently and apply harmful status effects,” says Huttunen. And since this is an action RPG, you can expect “detailed stat breakdowns” which “make build performance transparent and readable.”
As for Abilities, they’re obtained by defeating Resonants, the powerful bosses that await in Manhattan. For example, Seekers, which will summon an “increasingly volatile telekinetic entity” to attack enemies. You can also launch it at enemies for major damage.
By entering the Gap, “a dreamlike space tied to Dylan’s psyche, simply by pressing down on the directional pad of the DualSense controller,” players can customize them further. You also have Talents for improving the “synergy between abilities and melee attacks.”
Intriguingly enough, Huttunen says these “aren’t the only systems at play.” Furthermore, progression is designed in such a way that not everything is unlockable in one playthrough. While reinforcing real choices to tailor your build, it may also subtly hint at the presence of New Game Plus.
Control Resonant is available later this year for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out the extensive gameplay showcase from State of Play.
