Control Resonant beats its rivals but can’t touch RE Requiem and Pokopia
The sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s celebrated action RPG, Control Resonant, is poised to drop on September 24th, and the critical chatter surrounding its launch is as volatile and fascinating as the game itself. While the anticipation is high, the reviews are painting a complex picture: a stunning, ambitious experience that manages to be both breathtakingly spectacular and frustratingly inconsistent.
Metacritic scores reflect this divided reception, with the game currently sitting at an 84 based on 56 reviews, edging out the original Control’s score. This suggests that while players acknowledge the magnitude of the sequel, there is a significant debate about whether the experience delivers the focused intensity that defined its predecessor.
Critics are grappling with the game’s design philosophy. Some reviewers acknowledge the sheer visual delight, highlighting environments that are some of the best seen on the console generation. Reviewers on platforms like Push Square specifically lauded the mechanics, noting how fluid and engaging elements like double jumps, light forms of flight, and gravity-shifting abilities made traversing the world a true delight.
However, this visual spectacle doesn’t soothe every critic. Some find the experience perfectly serviceable, yet that very lack of intensity is identified as a major sticking point. GamesRadar+ offered a more reserved take, suggesting that while Remedy continues to deliver unexpected games, the sequel sometimes sacrifices the tightness and restraint found in the original.
The polarized opinions extend to the combat itself. While some reviewers delivered high praise, others noted a lack of focus. Vice awarded the title a full 10/10, hailing the combat as an absolute thrill, a seamless mix of levitation maneuvers, air dashes, telekinetic powers, and fast-paced melee attacks that define one of the best action RPGs released this year.
Yet, not all voices are uniformly enthusiastic. Other critics found the experience imperfect, but undeniably interesting. Kotaku described it as imperfect, but relentlessly, characteristically interesting, suggesting that the flaws are part of its unique appeal rather than simple shortcomings. IGN offered a balanced view, recognizing that while some stretches may feel dull, the game features significant swings that land alongside the studio’s best work.
Ultimately, Control Resonant stands as a monument to ambitious design. It forces players to confront the fine line between visual artistry and mechanical precision, proving that sometimes, creating a masterpiece means embracing the beautiful, chaotic swings of imperfection. Whether you embrace the spectacle or demand the tightest gameplay, the journey through Control Resonant promises to be one for the ages.
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