Ao contrário de AWE, a DLC The Foundation entrega bastante conteúdo, uma área nova original e alguns inimigos interessantes.

O ponto principal aqui é a expansão da mitologia da Antiga Casa e do Conselho, além de fornecer uma explicação sobre a fundação do Departamento e sua integração à Antiga Casa.

O único aspecto ponto da DLC é que ela se torna um tanto massante devido à várias e longas seções de plataforma.

É a DLC definitiva para quem gostou do jogo e quer saber mais sobre toda a mitologia envolvida.

It’s a pretty good extension to the base game's playtime and I like the new crystal creation/destruction mechanics. They’re implemented really well in combat and puzzle solving. The new axe wielding enemies suck ass tho.

I think I like it more than the base game cause it has more fleshed out mechanics and doesn't overstay its welcome. Seriously, I really love the implementation of the crystals, I kinda wish it was longer, even the final boss uses them in an interesting way for environmental damage.

This is a review of the first DLC for Control. As such spoilers will be discussed for the vanilla game

For my critique of the base game, see https://backloggd.com/u/RedBackLoggd/review/1311820/

For my critique of the second expansion pack, AWE, see https://backloggd.com/u/RedBackLoggd/review/1311826/

The Foundation is an appropriate title, taking place in the bottomest rung of the Oldest House whilst Jesse uncovers the origins of the FBC HQ. Is it worth tackling? Well, considering it’s basically a post-story main mission, there’s no reason not to, even as the gameplay starts to feel repetitive.

Story-wise, Foundation plays like a glorified sidequest wherein an extradimensional threat is wreaking havoc on the Oldest House. This time around, the threat is an actual part of the Astral Plane, but functionally it doesn’t play out any differently from the myriad of Altered Items Jesse has had to quell before. It is a little nice learning more about The Board; however, unless you were really into the lore of the vanilla game, I don’t see that being a selling point for casual gamers. Regarding the discovery of the Oldest House’s past, that’s unfortunately divulged via more good old-fashioned tape recordings which somehow drag on longer than anything you’ll hear in the base game.

From a gameplay-perspective, Foundation adds two new powers to Jesse’s repertoire you’ll learn at different points of the game (no doubt done in a vain attempt at preserving the pseudo-Metroidvania framing of the DLC): one which allows her to summon forth crystals at marked locations, and one which allows her Service Weapon to shatter said crystals. Neither can be used outside of the new areas, nor are they utilized for intricate puzzle-platforming in spite of their potential.

A couple new enemy archetypes have been concocted, though only one really stood-out: pickaxe-wielding Hiss with deeper health bars. While they are a bit of a challenge when placed alongside other foes, they ultimately couldn’t help feeling like reskinned axmen from the first Alan Wake.

Visually, Foundation takes place in a similar setting to the base game’s quarry area, albeit one caked with iron oxide dust ala Mars. As a sucker for all things red, I considered it beautiful, the addition of dust plumes and footprints adding to the aesthetic.

But yeah, those are about the only fresh facets here. Foundation is a fine enough diversion to pass the time, and I did appreciate seeing a more confident Jesse, however I can’t say you’ll be recalling its contents anytime in the future.

NOTES
-There’s a side mission that presumably sets-up the events of Control 2.

-No new music tracks.

If AWE was Remedy's way of setting up Alan Wake II, The Foundation seems to be their attempt at setting the stage for Control 2, whenever that comes out. I liked the story in this DLC, particularly for how it directly addresses the Bureau's relationship with the Board and the astral plane, something that is mainly taken as a given in the base game. Other than that I would say this was a slight let down. The Foundation itself is just a series of very similar looking caves covered in red sand, nowhere near as fun to explore (or just look at) as the Oldest House. This also doesn't really add much to the gameplay, other than the Hiss Sharpened enemies, who provide a bit of a new challenge. You get the new Fracture and Shape abilities, but they don't have any utility at all outside of the DLC. At least AWE gave us a new Service Weapon form, even if it was kind of lame.

It's another few hours of Control, a game that I like, so it's not bad, but it doesn't quite live up to the standards of the base game for me.

Juzgar a un par de DLCs despues de varios años de jugar al juego base es medio dudoso sin duda, pero qsyo. Estan piola, The Foundation me aburrió un poco y no me interesó tanto pero el de Alan Wake está entretenido, sobre todo sabiendo maome que onda la historia del juego. Tiene gameplay divertido con lo de evitar la oscuridad pero tampoco nada excepcional. Que haya pasado tanto tiempo de jugar Control hizo que esté re frío con los controles (cuack) y el gameplay loop en general. Igual, están piola qsyo. Control me gusta mucho.

Don’t really have all that much to say about this without just repeating most of what I said in my review of the main game.

It’s more Control, it’s good!

Liked the new powers and thought the level design was pretty good, story doesn’t really make the ending of the original game feel less rushed or abrupt but there’s some interesting enough sequel bait stuff here involving The Board & The Former that I liked. Final boss was fun too