Control Resonant: The First Reviews Are In

Remedy's Control Resonant is set to release on September 24th for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC – and just in time for the weekend, the first international review scores have dropped. PC Gamer, Eurogamer, and Videogameschronicle published their reviews almost simultaneously, while the official PlayStation Blog provided a major developer feature. German publications like GameStar and GamePro also followed suit with their own assessments.

How Does Control Resonant Fare in the First Reviews?

The overall consensus across almost all publications ranges from positive to very positive. Praise is particularly directed at the bold genre shift away from the pure Metroidvania horror of the first installment towards more action-heavy third-person combat mechanics, as well as the new, denser setting in the heart of Manhattan. PC Gamer additionally highlights that lower graphics presets perform surprisingly well, and you by no means have to force the game onto maximum settings to achieve impressive visuals.

How Does Control Resonant Differ from the First Game?

Unlike the original, released in 2019, which took place entirely within the mysterious office complex known as the "Oldest House," Resonant shifts the action to the streets of Manhattan. The protagonist also changes: instead of Jesse Faden, her brother Dylan Faden now takes control of the Federal Bureau of Control's supernatural powers. For fans of the first game, this marks a noticeable departure from the previous area and puzzle structure in favor of a more direct, combat-oriented gameplay experience – a gamble that, according to initial reviews, seems to be paying off.

Are There Technical Issues with Control Resonant?

A recurring point of criticism concerns performance on the standard PS5: GamePro reports noticeable screen flickering in certain scenes, suggesting a need for optimization before release. Players with a PS5 Pro or a powerful PC are likely to be less affected, according to current reports. Important for buyers: Remedy could still make improvements here before the September 24th release; a Day One patch is not out of the question.