Control 2 Takes Players on a Mind-Bending Adventure Through a Distorted New York City
During the Game Awards 2025, Remedy Entertainment unveiled their highly anticipated title: Control Resonant, a direct sequel to the acclaimed 2019 game, Control. This upcoming open-ended character action RPG is slated for release in 2026 on consoles and PC, and an outlet had the chance to discuss it with Remedy prior to its official announcement.
Check out the mind-bending trailer for Control Resonant, previously known as Control 2, which premiered at the Game Awards:
In Control Resonant, players will step into the shoes of Dylan Faden, the brother of Control’s protagonist, Jesse. Set seven years after the original game, the narrative unfolds in a New York City where the Oldest House, the enigmatic headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control, is no longer sealed off. A terrifying force has escaped into the streets, and Dylan, who has awakened from a coma, must navigate this distorted version of NYC, now shrouded in a powerful supernatural barrier.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to preview Control Resonant’s trailer before its Game Awards debut, and I was taken aback by how distinct this sequel feels. While the first game was a third-person shooter with horror elements, Control Resonant shifts gears, resembling more of a blend between Jedi: Fallen Order, Ninja Gaiden, and even Bayonetta. During the digital event, Remedy developers emphasized that Resonant is “not a safe sequel” and touted it as the “deepest, most expansive game” they’ve created. They promised a genuine RPG experience filled with diverse build options and significant choices. Plus, it’s part of the Remedy Connected Universe, just like Alan Wake.
In contrast to Jesse’s shape-shifting handgun, Dylan wields a formidable melee weapon called the “Aberrant.” Remedy describes this weapon as capable of transforming into various forms, dubbing it a “paranormal weapon for a supernatural street fight.” Players will engage in close combat with enemies, using the Aberrant to dispatch foes while exploring an open Manhattan filled with side quests and hidden experiences. Remedy was careful to avoid labeling Resonant as an open-world game, instead likening it to the original Control’s open-ended map that provided players with choice and freedom without overwhelming them with a sprawling landscape cluttered with icons.
“Control Resonant pushes our paranatural action RPG series into an expansive, reality-warping playground of choice, power, and consequence,” stated Mikael Kasurinen, Creative Director of Control Resonant, in a press release. “You don’t have to know the first game to jump into the sequel. We’ve made this one easy to pick up and hard to put down. We’re pushing the scale beyond anything we’ve done before, elevating combat, exploration, and storytelling into a bigger, more memorable experience. It’s ambitious, a little wild, and we can’t wait for players to get lost in it.”
As a fan who thoroughly enjoyed Control and replayed it multiple times across different platforms, I’m genuinely excited about Control Resonant. While I didn’t anticipate the sequel to take the form of an action RPG, I’m not disappointed by the change. Remedy is known for their willingness to innovate and provide players with fresh experiences and narratives, and they often hit the mark. Here’s hoping that next year, Resonant becomes another success story for Remedy. Control Resonant is set to launch sometime in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Mac.
