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Control Resonant Review for PlayStation 5

CONTROL Resonant on PS5: a strong Remedy world and story, a melee-heavy combat loop, developer-stated performance targets and accessibility options.
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CONTROL Resonant is worth buying on PS5 if you want Remedy Entertainment’s atmosphere, story and performances in a larger, Manhattan-based setting, and you are willing to accept a melee-heavy combat loop. The strongest praise in the independent coverage we could check goes to the world and the people in it. The most frequent criticism goes to the fighting. Remedy’s PS5 frame-rate and resolution figures are developer targets, not independent measurements, so treat them as promises to test rather than results.

This assessment is built from Remedy’s and PlayStation’s published material from 2026 and one independent review, which was played on PC. It is not based on hands-on PS5 testing.

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What the game is and what has changed

CONTROL Resonant is a sequel to CONTROL, but it moves the action out of the Oldest House and into a paranaturally distorted Manhattan. Its protagonist is Dylan Faden rather than Jesse Faden. Jesse is his sister and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, and she is the reason Dylan is drawn back into the fight. Remedy’s sequel was launched worldwide on September 24, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Mac support was announced to follow later in 2026, so Mac buyers should check the launch timing before purchasing.

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The PlayStation Blog’s editorial preview says a recap trailer is available for players who have not played the first game. That helps newcomers get oriented, but it does not mean the sequel is fully self-contained. The story does assume some familiarity with the Bureau and its threats, and the sequel’s main gain is that it opens the series to a bigger city.

#1 Best Overall
CONTROL Resonant - PlayStation 5
  • STEP INTO A WARPED REALITY: Explore multiple areas of a ravaged Manhattan in an expansive, unfamiliar, and exciting world. Traverse perception-bending locations and grapple with gravity anomalies that distort the vertical and horizontal plane, adding additional dimensions to puzzles and new tactical decisions to combat. Meet faces old and new on a path fraught with risk but rich in opportunity as the cityscape is reshaped and reality is redefined by a godlike force.
  • MASTER THE PARANATURAL: Channel the raw experiences of Dylan’s past to help understand his present and dig deeper into the inner workings of the FBC and reveal the horrors threatening humankind. Tap into power he must learn to master and take choices to shape how his abilities manifest and grow. Explore a deep progression system to define how Dylan adapts to emerging dangers. Forge connections crucial to Dylan’s fight to retain his humanity as he journeys from former test subject to paranatural superweapon
  • THE FIGHT SHIFTS. YOUR WEAPON SHIFTS WITH IT: Meet constantly evolving threats head-on, utilising the environment, deploying elemental abilities and using the raw force Dylan’s shapeshifting melee weapon, the Aberrant. Wield the Aberrant in its many deadly forms. Deliver bone-crunching blows with a two-handed hammer and flow seamlessly into the swift precision of dual-wielded blades as this paranatural weapon morphs on demand to meet each new challenge.
  • SHARED LEGACY. NEW THREAT: FBC Director Jesse Faden's lockdown is no longer holding. A paranatural catastrophe has spilled beyond the Oldest House and onto the streets of Manhattan, and the Bureau's grip on containment is failing. Jesse Faden walked into the Oldest House to confront the threat within. Now Dylan must walk out of it to contain the threat beyond.

Story and whether you need to play CONTROL first

The PlayStation Store description frames the premise simply. Dylan’s former captors at the Federal Bureau of Control send him into a paranatural crisis, in which a cosmic entity is changing reality and threats are overwhelming Manhattan. His search for Jesse is the spine of the plot. The store text names the Hiss and the Mold among the threats he faces.

If you have not played the original, the recap trailer and the new setting make the sequel accessible. If you have played it, the sequel will feel most rewarding for the returning mysteries and the way Dylan’s story connects to the Bureau’s history. The independent review we checked praised the lore collectibles and the performances, which suggests that the writing is the game’s most reliable strength.

Combat and progression

The combat is the game’s most debated element. CONTROL Resonant puts melee combat at the centre of the loop, using Dylan’s shapeshifting weapon, the Aberrant, alongside paranormal abilities and build choices. Remedy says the Aberrant has several weapon forms and that talents can amplify the synergy between abilities and melee attacks.

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Rank #2
CONTROL Ultimate Edition - PlayStation 5
  • Uncover the mysteries - Can you handle the bureau’s dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here.
  • Everything is your weapon - Unleash destruction through transforming weaponry and telekinetic powers. Discover new ways to annihilate your enemies as you harness powerful abilities to turn everything around you into a lethal weapon.
  • Explore a hidden world - Delve deep into the ominous expanses of a secretive government agency. Explore the Bureau’s shifting environments only to discover that there is always more than meets the eye…
  • Fight for control - Battle a relentless enemy through exciting missions and challenging boss fights to earn powerful upgrades that maximize abilities and customize your weaponry.

The Aberrant and melee

The Aberrant is the core of the new combat identity. Because it can change form, players can switch between weapon styles rather than relying on a single gun. This is a change in emphasis from the first game’s shooter identity, not a claim that one style is objectively better. The trade-off is that melee is central, and the reviewer who played on PC found that the open-world structure makes players fight often. That repetition is where the criticism is concentrated.

Resonant bosses and unlocks

Remedy describes its major Resonant boss encounters as part of story progression. Defeating one grants a unique ability, and some encounters offer branching choices that support different playstyles. Remedy also says that not every system can be unlocked in a single playthrough, so a second run is likely to reveal abilities you missed the first time.

Zones, fast travel and the Gap

According to Remedy’s PS5 feature article, the city is divided into visually distinct Zones, and fast travel is near-instant. The Gap is a liminal space where players can unlock upgrades, test builds and craft Artifacts. These are developer descriptions of the design; the independent review did not confirm how well the travel and build-testing systems work in practice on PS5.

Rank #3
Control Resonant - PS5
  • The action RPG sequel to Control, developed and published by Remedy Entertainment.

How CONTROL Resonant runs on PS5 and PS5 Pro

Remedy says the game was designed with 60fps performance in mind from the beginning. Thomas Puha, Communications Director at Remedy Entertainment, wrote in the official PlayStation Blog feature on September 15, 2026: “Control Resonant is a gameplay-driven experience, built with 60fps performance in mind from the beginning, as feel and responsiveness take top priority.”

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The table below lists the mode targets Remedy has announced. These are developer targets. Independent frame-rate or resolution measurements were not available when this review was written.

Mode Target frame rate Target resolution Ray tracing Display requirement
PS5 Performance 60fps 1440p Not stated Not stated
PS5 Quality 30fps 2160p Not stated Not stated
PS5 Pro Performance 60fps 2160p Not stated Not stated
PS5 Pro Quality 30fps 2160p Yes Not stated
PS5 Pro Balanced 40fps 2160p Yes 120Hz-compatible display

The PlayStation Store lists the game as a one-player title with PS5 Pro Enhanced support and DualSense vibration and trigger effects. Remedy also says the game supports DualSense adaptive triggers and 3D Audio when used with a compatible headset. Neither accessory is required to play.

Rank #4
Control Ultimate Edition (PS5)
  • Uncover the mysteries. Can you handle the bureau's dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here
  • everything is your weapon. Unleash destruction through transforming weaponry and telekinetic powers. Discover New ways to annihilate your enemies as you harness powerful abilities to turn everything around you into a lethal weapon
  • explore a hidden world. Delve deep into the Ominous expanses of a secretive government Agency. Explore the bureau's shifting environments only to discover that there is always more than meets the eye
  • fight for control. Battle a relentless enemy through exciting missions and challenging boss fights to earn powerful upgrades that maximize abilities and customize your weaponry
  • experience true next-generation gaming with increased visual fidelity through 4K graphics, ray-tracing and a 60FPS performance mode

Choosing a mode

  • If combat responsiveness matters most, Performance mode’s 60fps target is the one Remedy emphasises.
  • If you want the highest resolution on a standard PS5, Quality mode’s 2160p target is a 30fps trade-off.
  • If you own a PS5 Pro and a 120Hz-compatible display, Balanced mode is the only listed option that targets 40fps with ray tracing at 2160p.
  • If you do not have a 120Hz display, Balanced mode is not the right choice even on a PS5 Pro, because its target depends on that display.

How long it takes

Remedy’s Communications Director, Thomas Puha, gave the developer’s estimate for the main story in 2026: 25 to 35 hours. That figure is a developer estimate, not an independently timed result, and it does not include the extra time players may spend on side content or completionist goals.

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Accessibility

The PlayStation Store listing is unusually detailed about accessibility options. Players can configure:

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  • Volume controls and mono audio.
  • Basic and large subtitles. Basic subtitles cover only the main story and main characters.
  • Full control remapping.
  • Adjustable stick sensitivity and inversion.
  • Adjustable difficulty, with individually configurable assists.
  • Pausing during gameplay or cinematics while offline.

Because subtitle coverage is limited to the main story and main characters, players who rely on subtitles for side content should check their options before committing.

Best Value
Mortal Shell II - PlayStation 5
  • THEIR FLESH IS YOUR WEAPON: The corpses of exceptional warriors are scattered throughout Mortal Shell 2’s destroyed world. Once discovered, each warrior can be possessed, awakening their innate strengths and mastered abilities. Evolve your own style of combat by harnessing the unique abilities of each warrior and unlock their secrets through the discovery of lost memories.
  • CLEANSE A RAVAGED WORLD: Mortal Shell 2’s compact open world connects over winding footpaths guarded by desperate and fanatical adversaries. Players who wander are rewarded with new warriors to possess, additional story elements, powerful and strange weaponry, upgrades, curiosities and more. Step through derelict temples of ancient deities, across forbidden forests and icy graves, into citadels carved out of bone. Scattered between these lost landmarks are more than 60 dungeons, each providing a challenging test of the talents and weaponry you have collected on your journey.
  • DETHRONE FALSE GODS: You control the Harbinger, a being that must reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs that are now ruthlessly guarded by grotesque, dangerous creatures. Mortal Shell 2’s combat system is agile and expressive. Stamina gauges are removed, and execution options have been enhanced, delivering a kinetic and chaotic dark power fantasy. Precision meets intensity in high-stakes combat.

Editions and price

Remedy announced both physical and digital editions for preorder. The PlayStation Store lists a PS5 Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition. At the time of our check, the US store listed the prices below. Regional pricing varies and changes over time, so confirm the current price before buying.

Edition US store price Listed extras
Standard Edition $59.99 Not stated
Digital Deluxe Edition $69.99 AWE Mission Outfit, Untapped Artifact (Wallet), Starter Resource Bundle, Digital Artbook, Original Soundtrack

Critical reception

PC Gamer’s review offers the one independent critical perspective we could check. It praises the uncanny environments, the lore collectibles and the performances. It argues that melee combat is the game’s weakness, and that the open-world structure makes that weakness more noticeable because players fight so often. The review was conducted on PC, so its comments about combat describe the PC experience, and they should not be read as a PS5 technical verdict or as consensus among players.

The Bottom Line

CONTROL Resonant is a strong PS5 purchase for players who value Remedy’s world, story and performances and do not mind a combat system built around melee. If the fighting is the main thing you care about, wait for more feedback before buying. Check the PS5 mode targets against your display once you have a copy, because the performance figures are announced targets rather than independent results.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
Control Resonant - PS5
Control Resonant - PS5
The action RPG sequel to Control, developed and published by Remedy Entertainment.
$97.53
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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