Controlling the Narrative: A Supernatural Powerhouse
Dive into the Oldest House and experience an action-adventure that blurs the lines of reality.
last updated Dec 18, 2023
Control is a superhero's day job, except the office is haunted and the coffee machine might be plotting your demise.
Mastery of Mayhem
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: Control is like stepping into a pair of shoes that instantly make you feel more powerful—and maybe a touch more deranged. The telekinetic combat system is a riot, where you're not just gun-slinging but literally throwing the kitchen sink at interdimensional baddies. Each ability feels rewarding, and with progression, you transform into a force to be reckoned with. In true SCP fashion, it's like being a high-powered agent of chaos trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare—complete with paperwork flying everywhere. The exploration and combat are so engaging it's almost addictive, even if at times it feels like you're just shooting and hurling chunks of concrete around willy-nilly.
An Earful of Eerie
Control’s sonic landscape is as twisted as its otherworldly setting. The ambient noise is enough to send a shiver down your spine, and the dynamic soundtrack amplifies every paranormal encounter. You'll hear whispers that make you question your sanity and gunshots that have weight, echoing off brutalist walls. It's a clinic in audio design that complements the gameplay like peanut butter does jelly. The music's not just a background player; it's a main character that deserves a curtain call all its own.
A Feast for the Eyes
Graphically, Control Ultimate Edition is akin to an all-you-can-eat buffet—if that buffet was an array of stunning, destructible environments laden with supernatural phenoms. The game's performance is mostly smooth, save for some reported hiccups here and there (like the in-game equivalent of finding a fly in your soup). It's worth mentioning that while some players might get lucky and avoid technical kerfuffles, others have experienced bothersome bugs and crashes. If you're one of the fortunate ones, the visual treat of this game is pure eye candy, and let's not forget the ray-tracing that’s just showing off at this point.
Narrative Neurons
The narrative in Control is a thing of beauty, a tapestry woven with threads of SCP-inspired spookiness. It can be as confusing as trying to solve a Rubik's cube in the dark, but as the pieces fall into place, the overall picture is something exceptional. However, let's address the astral elephant in the room—side missions and bugs. Some players have reported glitches that deny the joy of additional content, and that’s like buying a ticket to Disneyland and finding out Space Mountain is closed for repairs. When the machinery of the game runs without a hitch, immersing yourself in the story feels like a trip through an eerily fascinating funhouse.
Pinnacle of Power Plays
In essence, Control is a superhero's day job, except here the office is haunted and the coffee machine might be plotting your demise. The gameplay delivers power fantasies that make you feel like you're in the X-Men minus the spandex. Levitating and smashing through enemy defenses feels satisfying on almost a primal level. And for lore lovers, Remedy peppers the world with collectibles that aren't just Easter eggs—they're whole egg hunts that add layers to the story.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Remedy Entertainment
Publisher
505 Games
Release Date
August 27, 2020
The Verdict
Control Ultimate Edition is an ambitious, sometimes-spectacular adventure seeping with originality. Yes, its office-space odyssey might have the occasional hiccup in performance, and the steep learning curve and complexity aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of paranormal tea. But for those willing to brave its depths, Control offers a robust blend of narrative and combat excellence that's well worth the price of admission. The title isn't just a clever name—it’s a claim this game makes on your attention.
