I wasn't sold on Control when I first tried it years ago, but after finishing Alan Wake II I decided to give it another shot. Boy am I glad I did!
The main story isn't nearly as engaging as Alan Wake's (more X-Files than Twin Peaks this time around). Where Control's narrative really shines is in it's side-quests, the most interesting of which play out like SCP Foundation articles. With the variety of Altered Items you come across and have to cleanse I couldn't help but think 'Control is just a AAA SCP game' in the best way possible. Each time I'd complete one of these side-quests, I would eagerly look forward to the next just to see what kind of crazy Altered Item I'd encounter.
The gameplay was the real standout for me. It's blend of gunplay and supernatural abilities, with Launch being the obvious highlight, make every encounter a ton of fun even when they start feeling a bit repetitive. It's funny, the first game that came to mind when I was introduced to the combat was Doom in how it encourages the player to keep moving. By the end of the game you'll go from simply strafing around cover to jumping, hovering, and dashing bending the environment to your will. Control's power scaling is immensely satisfying. That being said it doesn't necessarily make the game easier. Some frustrating late and post-game encounters took me a handful of tries before I managed to complete them even with a fully decked out arsenal of powers.
My biggest complaint with Control is it's exploration. Endless corporate hallways that all look the same paired with a fairly inconvenient and confusing map make navigating the Oldest House feel like a chore. I was relieved whenever I came across a Control Point, the game's fast travel system, or an enemy encounter to break up the monotony.
Remedy are the masters of creating stylish set pieces. Look no further than the Ashtray Maze. Like "We Sing" from Alan Wake II, Remedy masterfully blend music, gameplay, and storytelling to craft one of the most memorable moments I've experienced in a video game.
The main story isn't nearly as engaging as Alan Wake's (more X-Files than Twin Peaks this time around). Where Control's narrative really shines is in it's side-quests, the most interesting of which play out like SCP Foundation articles. With the variety of Altered Items you come across and have to cleanse I couldn't help but think 'Control is just a AAA SCP game' in the best way possible. Each time I'd complete one of these side-quests, I would eagerly look forward to the next just to see what kind of crazy Altered Item I'd encounter.
The gameplay was the real standout for me. It's blend of gunplay and supernatural abilities, with Launch being the obvious highlight, make every encounter a ton of fun even when they start feeling a bit repetitive. It's funny, the first game that came to mind when I was introduced to the combat was Doom in how it encourages the player to keep moving. By the end of the game you'll go from simply strafing around cover to jumping, hovering, and dashing bending the environment to your will. Control's power scaling is immensely satisfying. That being said it doesn't necessarily make the game easier. Some frustrating late and post-game encounters took me a handful of tries before I managed to complete them even with a fully decked out arsenal of powers.
My biggest complaint with Control is it's exploration. Endless corporate hallways that all look the same paired with a fairly inconvenient and confusing map make navigating the Oldest House feel like a chore. I was relieved whenever I came across a Control Point, the game's fast travel system, or an enemy encounter to break up the monotony.
Remedy are the masters of creating stylish set pieces. Look no further than the Ashtray Maze. Like "We Sing" from Alan Wake II, Remedy masterfully blend music, gameplay, and storytelling to craft one of the most memorable moments I've experienced in a video game.