CONTROL Resonant: first look at gameplay at State of Play

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 2 hours ago

Remedy Entertainment pulled back the curtain on its next major project during yesterday's State of Play broadcast, unveiling an extended gameplay demonstration of CONTROL Resonant. The presentation offers a substantial look at combat, traversal, and world design, positioning the title as a bold structural and mechanical evolution of the studio's 2019 breakout hit, Control.

A different take on Control's universe

The footage centers on Dylan Faden, now stepping into the protagonist role. Set in a Manhattan twisted by paranatural forces, the game trades the confined brutalism of the Oldest House for a sprawling urban environment fractured by gravitational anomalies. Streets bend skyward, skyscrapers tilt at impossible angles, and entire blocks appear suspended in midair. Remedy's signature environmental storytelling remains intact, but the scale is notably broader, with large interconnected zones replacing the prior game's tightly layered interior spaces.

Traversal appears to be a defining pillar of the sequel. Dylan can manipulate spatial distortions to move across walls and ceilings, turning gravity into a navigational tool rather than an obstacle. These shifts are not merely cosmetic; they actively reshape combat zones, altering sightlines and enemy positioning in real time. The design suggests a deliberate move toward systemic encounters, where mobility and verticality are core to survival rather than secondary abilities unlocked late in progression.

Combat, meanwhile, looks more kinetic and customizable. Dylan wields a morphing weapon known as the Aberrant, capable of transforming between multiple melee-focused configurations. Instead of relying primarily on telekinetic throws as in the previous installment, the sequel emphasizes aggressive close-quarters engagements layered with supernatural powers. Abilities are earned by defeating entities known as Resonants—distorted, powerful figures whose defeat expands Dylan’s skill set. This progression loop appears designed to reward mastery and experimentation, giving players the flexibility to tailor loadouts before entering high-risk encounters.

Narratively, the trailer hints at a deepening of the Faden family arc. Zoe De Vera is introduced as a key supporting figure, providing guidance and context as the crisis escalates. While story details remain closely guarded, the tone remains unmistakably Remedy: cryptic, atmospheric, and steeped in metaphysical intrigue.

From a technical standpoint, the gameplay shown demonstrates enhanced lighting, physics-driven destruction, and denser environmental detail. The warped Manhattan setting allows for larger combat sandboxes while preserving the studio’s focus on controlled, cinematic pacing. Rather than transitioning to a fully open-world model, Remedy appears to be refining a hub-based structure with optional side activities and hidden encounters embedded throughout each district.

CONTROL Resonant is slated to launch later this year for current-generation platforms and PC, including distribution through Steam and the Epic Games Store. If the State of Play reveal is any indication, Remedy is aiming not simply to repeat Control's formula, but to expand both its physical scale and mechanical depth while preserving the series' distinct supernatural identity. Of course, you can keep track of the cheapest deals to pre-order CONTROL Resonant with our comparator if you can't wait to jump into this new adventure.