# Control Resonant's hidden love story

> Remedy's sequel hides a workplace romance in its enemy logs, rewarding players who read the optional documents.
- Title: Control Resonant's hidden love story · The Verge | Shortify
- Summary: Remedy's sequel hides a workplace romance in its enemy logs, rewarding players who read the optional documents. Control Resonant contains a love story…
- Keywords: control resonant, remedy entertainment, video games, narrative design, optional content, enemy logs, workplace romance, technology, culture, Control, Resonant's, hidden
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/games/1000818/control-resonant-reading-collectibles-documents-logs
- Author: Kallie Plagge
- Published: 2026-09-26T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: control resonant, remedy entertainment, video games, narrative design, optional content, enemy logs, workplace romance, technology, culture
## A bureaucracy fighting the otherworldly
In Control Resonant, the Federal Bureau of Control battles mysterious entities that defy explanation. But the FBC remains a traditional bureaucratic agency, filing reams of paperwork about everything.
## Reading is optional but rewarding
The game contains tons of optional documents, reports and memos. Reading them is not required to play, but reveals some of the game's best details and even love stories.
## Enemy logs hide practical help
The Threat Assessment Team compiles enemy logs that unlock after fighting each enemy type. These logs detail attack patterns and weaknesses, helping players understand how to fight them effectively.
## Meet Rick and Lydia
Rick Patel documents the Hiss enemies with serious, straightforward notes. Lydia M.B. McPierce documents the mold and later enemies, finding time to talk shit about them between regular notes.
## Lydia teases Rick about motherhood
Rick describes a corrupted bus and its drones as motherly. Lydia calls him out in her own log, writing: For the record, I was not the one who named this one mother, that was Rick.

> (For the record, I was not the one who named this one 'mother,' that was Rick. I went to therapy and did the work precisely so I wouldn't feel the urge to do that)
## Rick shows he cares
Rick learns Lydia has emetophobia and offers to trade responsibilities so she can avoid the vomit-like attacks of mold enemies. He also teases her about chess and calls her Ricky.
## Rick confesses his feelings
After a dangerous encounter, Rick writes to Lydia: I don't want to go without taking a chance on us, Lydia. It doesn't have to be just a joke. I think we could have something real together.

> I don't want to go without taking a chance on us, Lydia. I think we could have something real together, you and I.
## Lydia responds in kind
In a late-game document as the world looks doomed, Lydia adds a note: Hey Ricky, this is out of left field, but if we actually survive this, wanna grab a coffee sometime?

> (Hey Ricky, this is out of left field, but if we actually survive this, wanna grab a coffee sometime?)
## Reading enriches the whole experience
Remedy seeds little stories and fun details throughout Resonant, not just in documents. Reading reveals everything from influencer views of Manhattan to the FBC's ethics violations.
## One log remains unfound
The author is still missing one singular enemy log and is determined to track down and kill that last enemy type to read Lydia's final log and discover other missed documents.
## Key takeaway

Control Resonant contains a love story between two FBC employees hidden in optional enemy logs, enriching the game for players who read everything.