If the previous trailers are anything to go by, Control combat is deep and fun. Remedy’s years of experience with third-person shooters and physics-based action sequences culminated in a highly anticipated game that is likely to become another hit for the Finnish developer.
Following on Quantum Break isn’t an enviable task, but Remedy seems to be on the right track, according to the official PlayStation blog. Speaking with game director Mikael Kasurinen, several points of Control were covered in detail, including the sophisticated sci-fi aesthetic, combat, the setting, and its non-linear nature.
ALSO: Control Spanish dub has ‘amateur-level’ acting and sound quality
Jesse Faden is the main protagonist in Control. She is drawn to a mysterious New York building that is home to the sinister government agency called the Federal Bureau of Control. Soon she finds herself involved in an unfathomable tale, filled with supernatural powers and an arresting look inspired by some popular movies and books, with Twin Peaks being cited as one of the inspirations:
“We’ve been looking at movies that demonstrate elements that are bizarre and beyond our understanding, but somehow connect with the human condition. Movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stalker and Annihilation,” says Mikael.
The article goes on to say that Control combat is deep and fun—far from your basic shooter. Jesse begins as your standard action shooter heroine, taking cover and gunning down the opposition, but things quickly evolve thanks to her supernatural abilities. The first one, Launch, allows Jesse to lift a piece of furniture in the air and throw it at her enemies. Evade is a dodge ability where Jesse travels a short distance to avoid an enemy attack.
As Control unfolds, additional abilities are unlocked and turn the game into a sandbox of destruction. No room feels linear, you never feel confined to a single strategy or ability. Mastering the abilities and the weapon will result in different and unpredictable scenarios. Control combat is deep, but the game isn’t just about shooting, with some puzzles to be solved along the way. Some of the puzzles focus on narrative elements, while others are physics or mechanics based.
“This game has more puzzles than what we’ve ever done before,” says Mikael. “It’s about us wanting to create an adventure for the player, a world filled with mystery and wonder, with rewards to find and lore to discover.”
Control isn’t a linear game, encouraging exploration in order to understand more about Jesse’s past and why she is experiencing this adventure. There are several side quests, limited-time events and boss battles that will take players away from the main campaign, which takes roughly around 10-15 hours to beat.
Control launches for PC, PS4 and Xbox One on August 27.
