Tony Polanco’s Tom’s Guide review, published September 18, 2026, argues that CONTROL Resonant exceeds even high expectations. His case rests on a larger scope, a shift to melee-based combat, deep customization and an expanded story. His main complaint is confusing maps. That is one critic’s verdict, not a consensus. PC Gamer’s review praises the presentation but is sharply critical of the melee combat that Tom’s Guide likes. Below is what the game is, where the two reviews agree and split, and the practical facts you need before buying.
What CONTROL Resonant is
Remedy Entertainment describes the game as the sequel to Control: an action-adventure/action RPG set in a warped version of Manhattan. You play Dylan Faden during a paranatural crisis while his sister Jesse is missing. Remedy develops and publishes it, with Annapurna Pictures co-financing and co-producing under a strategic partnership, according to Remedy’s official game page. This article avoids story spoilers.
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Is it open world?
No. Remedy Lead Gameplay Designer Sergey Mohov put it this way: “Control Resonant isn’t an open-world game, but it is built around large, distinct, and expansive zones filled with side activities, hidden encounters, and optional discoveries.” A central narrative links the zones. Dylan’s traversal uses supernatural abilities and spaces where gravity and orientation shift.
This structure plausibly relates to the reviewer’s one big complaint: zones that are large, layered and sometimes disorienting are harder to read on a map than a continuous open world.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
The case for “it surpassed expectations”
Polanco’s verdict calls the game a larger sequel and singles out four things:
- the melee-based combat
- skill trees
- customization
- the expanded scope of the narrative and gameplay
He frames it as a good fit for fans of the original Control and for players who like action RPGs or hack-and-slash games. That audience framing is his own. The one flagged downside is confusing map layouts.
The counterpoint: PC Gamer
PC Gamer praises Remedy’s environmental art, lighting, bureaucratic lore collectibles and the performances. It also argues that melee combat is the weak point, and that the game demands a lot of it.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Aspect | Tom’s Guide (Polanco) | PC Gamer |
|---|---|---|
| Melee combat | Praised as a strength of the sequel | Criticized as a weak point |
| Scope and narrative | Praised as expanded | Lore and performances praised |
| Presentation | Not singled out in the verdict | Art direction and lighting praised |
| Customization | Skill trees and customization praised | Not stated |
| Navigation | Confusing maps flagged | Not stated |
Combat preference decides this one. Two reviews do not make an aggregate score, so check a wider spread of reviews if combat is your deciding factor.
How it differs from the original
According to the Tom’s Guide review, the sequel moves toward melee, whereas the original is remembered for shooting plus supernatural powers. The supernatural elements remain. Other changes are a more zone-based structure, deeper skill-tree customization and a bigger narrative.
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Story length
Remedy Communications Director Thomas Puha estimates the main story at 25 to 35 hours. That is a developer estimate, not a measured average.
Rank #4
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PS5 performance targets
Remedy lists two PS5 modes as targets:
- Performance: 60 fps at 1440p
- Quality: 30 fps at 2160p
Puha said: “Control Resonant is a gameplay-driven experience, built with 60fps performance in mind from the beginning, as feel and responsiveness take top priority.” Remedy also describes PS5 Pro modes, DualSense adaptive triggers and 3D Audio with a compatible headset. These are the developer’s targets, not independent benchmarks, and should not be assumed to apply to PC or Xbox.
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Platforms and release
The game launched worldwide on September 24, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, through Steam and the Epic Games Store, in digital and physical editions. Remedy’s game page also lists GeForce NOW and says Mac versions via Steam and the App Store will follow later in 2026, so check the storefront for current Mac availability. Tom’s Guide listed the game at $59 on its review page; treat that as the price at review time, not today’s price.
The soundtrack
TechRadar reports an official soundtrack of 13 tracks, available on music apps and YouTube. Composer Petri Alanko told the outlet “a delicate moment needed a delicate solution” and said, “Under the action, it is a story about devotion, dedication, and determination.”
Who it suits
- Likely a good fit: fans of the original who want a bigger, more customizable sequel, and players who enjoy melee-heavy action RPGs.
- Approach with caution: anyone who wants shooting-first combat, a seamless open world, or who gets frustrated by hard-to-read maps.
The Bottom Line
Polanco’s “surpassed expectations” verdict is credible for fans who want a bigger, melee-driven sequel. Its limits show in PC Gamer’s criticism of that same combat and in the confusing maps Tom’s Guide flags. Your reaction to the melee will likely decide whether you agree.
Quick Recap
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