Gravity-bending platforming in NYC

Control Resonant lets you flip, twist, and fly through a twisted version of New York City with gravity manipulation. The game blends meta storytelling with inventive platforming that feels unlike anything else.

Sequel to 2019's Control

Resonant follows Dylan, brother of the original game's protagonist Jesse Faden, as he fights supernatural threats invading Manhattan. The two games can be played in any order.

Open world replaces confined setting

Unlike the original Control set in the Oldest House, Resonant takes place in a large open world warped by invading forces. Buildings twist impossibly and gravity behaves strangely throughout.

Melee combat replaces shooting

Dylan wields a shapeshifting weapon that can mimic a whip or hammer, making Resonant melee-focused instead of the original's shooter gameplay. This fundamentally changes how you approach combat.

Abilities unlock movement mastery

As you gather abilities like flying, wall-walking, and warping, you unlock thrilling ways to navigate. Combining these abilities lets you zip around New York like a strange superhero.

Weird fiction storytelling shines

The game draws from Severance, the SCP Foundation, and Twin Peaks to create a sci-fi universe perfect for video games. Supplementary materials like field recordings and documents bring the world to life.

Side quests reveal strange secrets

Even mundane tasks like replacing light bulbs reveal fascinating things. You'll hail ghost taxis and talk to sentient light bulbs in quests that get genuinely weird.

Visual and audio design excels

The game features harsh industrial sound design, platforming sequences like interactive art, and an opening title sequence that looks like prestige television. Every element reinforces Remedy's distinct style.

Dylan lacks personality early on

The protagonist feels dull at first, with little personality beyond having superpowers and being close to his sister. Spending dozens of hours with him makes this absence of character noticeable.

Combat becomes overwhelming late

While enjoyable, combat gets tedious toward the end when bombarded with large numbers of enemies that take forever to kill. The assist mode helps tone down difficulty.

Navigation can be confusing

The folded world makes it easy to get lost, and a minimap doesn't help much when geometry itself is impossible. This is a minor flaw in an otherwise exceptional game.

Remedy stands apart from peers

At a time when blockbuster games feel similar, Remedy joins FromSoftware and Kojima Productions in retaining a distinct vision. Resonant proves the studio's creative ambition after last year's failed spinoff.

“At a time when blockbuster games can feel increasingly similar, the Finnish developer is part of a small group of studios, like FromSoftware and Kojima Productions, that have retained a distinct vision”