Control Game Review: Story, Powers & Gameplay Explained

Control is a supernatural action-adventure game that instantly stands out thanks to its eerie atmosphere, shifting environments, and powerful psychic abilities. In Control, players step into a mysterious world where reality is unstable and nothing is quite what it seems.

Developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games, the game launched in 2019 and quickly gained attention for its unique storytelling style and cinematic gameplay. It combines third-person shooting mechanics with supernatural powers, creating a hybrid experience that feels both grounded and surreal.

Unlike traditional action games, Control focuses heavily on exploration and environmental storytelling. The world constantly transforms, forcing players to adapt while uncovering hidden secrets inside a strange government building known as the Oldest House.

The game is part of Remedy’s connected narrative universe, meaning it shares thematic links with other titles by the studio, even though it stands firmly as its own original experience rather than belonging to Marvel or DC-style universes.

Story and Setting

The story of Control follows Jesse Faden, a woman searching for answers about her past who ends up inside the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). This secret government organization investigates paranormal phenomena and objects that defy logic.

Once Jesse enters the Oldest House, she becomes the new Director of the FBC almost immediately after a mysterious takeover by an unknown force called the Hiss. From there, the story unfolds into a psychological journey filled with shifting realities, altered dimensions, and cryptic clues.

The Oldest House itself is one of the most fascinating parts of the game. It is a brutalist, ever-changing building that behaves like a living entity. Rooms shift, corridors transform, and entire sections of the structure rearrange themselves without warning.

As players progress, they uncover documents, audio logs, and strange events that slowly piece together the truth behind the Hiss invasion. The narrative blends science fiction, horror, and surreal mystery, keeping players constantly questioning what is real.

The setting also introduces powerful paranormal objects known as Altered Items and Objects of Power. These items play a major role in both the story and gameplay, often granting Jesse new abilities or triggering strange events.

Publisher and Development Details

Control was developed by Remedy Entertainment, a Finnish studio known for story-driven games with strong cinematic direction. The studio has a reputation for blending gameplay with narrative in creative ways, and Control is one of its most ambitious projects.

The game was published by 505 Games, which helped bring the title to a global audience across multiple platforms. Their support allowed Remedy to expand the game post-launch with additional content and technical enhancements.

Control belongs to an original supernatural universe created by Remedy. It is not connected to Marvel, DC, or any licensed comic universe. Instead, it builds its own mythology centered around paranormal science, hidden agencies, and unexplained phenomena.

During development, the team focused heavily on environmental design and physics-based gameplay. The result is a world that feels reactive and unpredictable, where objects can float, collapse, or shift as a result of supernatural forces.

The game also became known for its strong visual identity, using brutalist architecture and shifting lighting to create a tense, immersive atmosphere.

Gameplay Features

Gameplay in Control is a mix of third-person shooting, exploration, and supernatural abilities. Players use both conventional firearms and powerful psychic skills to defeat enemies known as the Hiss.

One of the standout mechanics is Jesse’s telekinetic powers. She can throw objects, create protective shields, levitate, and manipulate the environment during combat. These abilities make battles feel dynamic and highly interactive.

The Service Weapon, Jesse’s primary firearm, is also unique. It transforms into different weapon forms, such as a pistol, shotgun, or energy-based launcher, depending on the situation. This allows for flexible combat styles without switching traditional weapons.

Combat in Control is fast-paced and encourages constant movement. Players must dodge attacks, use cover creatively, and combine psychic abilities with gunfire to survive increasingly challenging encounters.

Exploration plays a major role as well. The Oldest House is filled with interconnected areas, hidden rooms, and optional missions. As players unlock new abilities, previously inaccessible areas become available, encouraging backtracking and discovery.

Another important feature is the progression system. Jesse gains new abilities by completing missions and interacting with Objects of Power. These abilities can be upgraded to enhance combat effectiveness and survivability.

The game also includes:

• Side missions involving paranormal cases
• Hidden collectibles that expand the story
• Challenging enemy encounters with unique mechanics
• Puzzle-like environmental interactions
• Optional difficulty scaling for replay value

Visually, Control is highly impressive. Its use of lighting, particle effects, and destructible environments creates a constant sense of tension. Every fight feels chaotic, with debris flying across rooms and objects levitating mid-combat.

Sound design also plays a major role. The eerie audio effects, combined with minimalist music, enhance the feeling of isolation and uncertainty throughout the experience.

Release Date and Platforms

Control officially released on August 27, 2019. The game launched across several platforms, making it widely accessible to players around the world.

Available platforms include:

• PlayStation 4
• Xbox One
• Windows PC

Later, enhanced versions were released for newer systems, including:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X/S
• Nintendo Switch (cloud version)

These updated versions improved performance, graphics, and loading times, allowing the game’s surreal environments to look even more detailed and immersive.

The multi-platform availability helped Control reach a broad audience, especially fans of narrative-driven action games and supernatural storytelling.