Bold claim: Remedy’s Control: Resonant reimagines the series in a bold new direction, expanding the universe rather than simply continuing it. And this is the part most people miss: the core experience shifts dramatically while keeping the series’ signature intensity and mystery.
Remedy Entertainment has unveiled Control: Resonant, the follow-up to IGN’s 2019 Game of the Year, at The Game Awards 2025. Scheduled to release in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this installment aims to redefine what a sequel can be.
Narrative shift first. You won’t step into Jesse Faden’s shoes this time. The story leaps forward seven years, placing you in the role of her younger brother, Dylan. Dylan was taken by the Federal Bureau of Control at age 10 and languished in a coma after exposure to The Hiss. The Hiss, in turn, has broken free from The Oldest House—where the first Control was set—and spilled into Manhattan, turning the city into an eerie, warped playground of supernatural forces. The trailer makes this chaos feel perilously tangible.
Combat also evolves. Instead of wielding Jesse’s transforming Service Weapon, players control Dylan armed with a rough, transforming melee tool called the Aberrant, enhanced by Dylan’s supernatural abilities. The vibe evokes a lightsaber and Force-like power set, similar to the Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor games, but with its own distinct rhythm.
Creative Director Mikael Kasurinen shared thoughts on the feel of Control: Resonant, saying: “Our combat is very much rooted in Control’s DNA—forward-pressing, fast, proactive. You’ll need to master weaving weapon strikes with supernatural powers while pursuing enemies. Dylan moves with agility, and movement is a key component of the combat loop.”
Preparation matters, too: building a playstyle that resonates with you, and embracing a tactical approach to blend shape-shifting melee with supernatural abilities on the fly. The game promises deep progression systems that let you tailor your character to become more versatile and powerful.
Customization remains a core feature. You’ll craft your own builds, tackle side quests, and contend with other factions. Meanwhile, enemies will employ paranatural attacks and can navigate the environment almost as swiftly as you can.
Remedy emphasizes that you don’t need to have played the original Control to follow Resonant’s story—the two games are more like siblings than direct succession. Kasurinen promises: “This is not a safe sequel.”
If you’re craving more details from The Game Awards 2025, IGN has a full rundown of announcements and a complete winners list worth checking out. And if you want a sense of who’s guiding this coverage, Ryan McCaffrey remains IGN’s executive editor of previews and hosts our Xbox-focused podcast, Podcast Unlocked, along with IGN Unfiltered. He’s a proud North Jersey native who stands by his Taylor ham allegiance—debate him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Would you be more excited by a battlefield where quick, melee-focused combat with shifting weapons defines the pace, or by a game that leans into the mystery and tactical depth of supernatural power customization? Share your take in the comments.
