Remedy’s critically acclaimed CONTROL Resonant took the top of the Steam best-selling list, and for good reason. The high-octane, mesmerizing masterpiece brings some of the studio’s finest work—including a lot of shared DNA with CONTROL.
The developer doesn’t shy away from connecting it to other titles such as Alan Wake—and, more importantly, the original CONTROL. In fact, CONTROL Resonant borrows a good chunk of its context from its sibling.
The older game tells the story of Jesse Faden, who ventures into the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) to find her brother, Dylan Faden, kidnapped after a paranatural event hit their hometown. Dylan is Resonant‘s protagonist, taking over the spotlight to face a new threat.
With the two titles so inextricably linked, it’s natural to wonder if you should dive into Remedy’s other games before moving onto Resonant. The answer depends on who you ask—but you should definitely play CONTROL and both Alan Wake games regardless, because they’re that good.
Is CONTROL Resonant a sequel to CONTROL?
Despite not having a number next to its name, Resonant is a direct sequel to 2019’s CONTROL, complete with a timeskip. It kicks off seven years after the events of the first game, but the story fills you in on what happens in that timeframe.
Resonant is very different from its sibling, however. It’s closer to Devil May Cry than to the first game, so there is some whiplash when going between the two. But it’s more than worth it: both are amazing in their own right. The original earned a nine out of 10 from us, a number Resonant matched.
Should you play CONTROL before CONTROL Resonant?
Technically, you don’t have to play CONTROL before Resonant. Remedy co-creative director Mikael Kasurinen said the new game is “a new story and a fresh entry point into Remedy’s world of the Federal Bureau of Control,” so you don’t need to dive into the first one.
“Both games stand firmly on their own, like two siblings, featuring distinctive and independent journeys through a strange, ever evolving paranatural universe,” Kasurinen added.
That said, you’ll benefit greatly from having the story knowledge from the first CONTROL. As we said in our review, the big emotional moments from the sequel almost hinge on having experienced the story from Jesse’s side as well. She goes after Dylan, who’s locked inside the FBC headquarters. The narrative also introduces the Hiss, plus some returning characters like Dr. Emily Pope and Simon Arish.
You should play CONTROL regardless, because it’s an incredible game and quite unlike anything out there. But playing it before Resonant is bound to make the sequel even better.
