Note: The game was beaten on Series X, then played some on PC.

Control is a third-person action game in the universe of the Alan Wake series, a popular supernatural thriller game. It focuses on Jesse Faden, a woman who finds herself in the FBC (Federal Bureau of Control) as she searches for her missing brother. As the Bureau is under a lockdown due to supernatural phenomena and the FBC is in dire straits, Faden will have to embark on a paranormal adventure to find her brother and discover the FBC's secrets and their involvement in her life.

The game is an action shooter game; the player moves around, dodges projectiles, and shoots the enemy. What makes Control cool is that it puts a big emphasis on the surroundings for all battles. Faden can control objects with telekinesis, launching them at enemies at will. The ability is functional because it can, for example, throw giant boulders at foes to shred through their armor, and you can even catch rocket launchers and reverse their direction to the enemy.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3301606590

Control also has more variations in its dynamic combat. Weapons can change forms, Faden can equip mods to enhance her stats, abilities, or weapons, and enemies feature unique behaviors and tactics. Combine that with an ever-changing maze, The FBC, which constantly shifts and rearranges its layout, and you have exciting combat that requires creativity and a strategic approach to its core. The environments can also have multiple floors, so using cover or attacking from different altitude levels influences the game.

The game's strong points are the graphics and gameplay. It is fun to play as you find different entities to combat or avoid, while the graphics are beautiful, especially when maxed out and using Ray Tracing. Control environments use a lot of gray and red to dictate whether a space is safe or dangerous as corruption spreads across the FBC, resulting in the player's association of color and areas.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3301607108

The story is also solid and exciting, as expected from the developer Remedy. The characters are interesting, and the lore of the FBC is even more. There are expositions to the nature of the experiments, which involve bizarre and often humorous videos created by Dr. Darling, the FBC's head of research. These videos and the extra information files are a treasure trove for those who want to delve deeper into the lore. Alan Wake as a series and a continuity is explored to a lesser degree, but it still shows up in the game to set up events for Alan Wake 2.

The sound of Control emphasizes its eeriness, suggesting that something is very wrong with the FBC. Disturbing sounds, industrial noises, and enemies can be heard in the background. Faden's abilities also boast impressive sound effects, resulting in a more immersive experience. The music can change from creepy ambient noises to dynamic pump action, depending on what is going on the screen. Lastly, the voice acting is excellent, as the characters sound authentic.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3301606886

Regarding replayability, the game is on the short end of the spectrum, with 8-11 hours for the main storyline and 13-15 if you do the side missions. Adding the DLC can increase the playtime to 14-18 hours. Other than beating the main game, there is no reason to replay the game, so the replayability of this title could be higher.

With its stunning graphics and immersive gameplay, Control demands the best from your setup to run everything at max. While the Ray Tracing feature enhances the visual experience, it can be quite taxing on computers, necessitating a powerful PC.

Control is an incredible game that excels in all facets: superb gameplay, fantastic looks, and a solid story and sound design. The title is a love letter to those who love the supernatural and enjoy abnormalities such as SCP. The environments can always be used creatively to take down enemies, and the exploration requires careful analysis of the layout of the FBC to navigate it. Few games can be as perfect as Control to deliver fantastic quality for the player.

9/10 AMAZING

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3rd person SCP-inspired action shooter with telekinetic power-dream fantasy goodness.

Such a dark place, am I trapped in here? Is this real I cannot remember? There was a manuscript that held the key; a vicious cycle I must not surrender to.