Control

Control is a supernatural third-person action-adventure shooter where you play as Jesse Faden, the new Director of a secretive agency invaded by an otherworldly threat. The core gameplay involves mastering a blend of modifiable weaponry and powerful supernatural abilities, like telekinesis, within a constantly shifting, highly reactive environment called the Oldest House. Fans of narrative-driven exploration and physics-based combat will find the unique blend of brutalist architecture and paranormal mystery compelling. The game's current state is stable, supported by significant expansions that continue the story.

This is a third-person action-adventure title that challenges players to master a combination of supernatural abilities, modifiable weapon loadouts, and highly reactive environments. Released in 2019, the core experience places you in the role of Jesse Faden, who arrives at a secretive federal agency in New York only to find it invaded by an otherworldly, paranormal threat known as the Hiss. As the newly appointed Director, your objective is to fight back and regain control over the structure and its inhabitants.

Setting and Atmosphere

The game is defined by its unique setting: The Oldest House. This location is not merely a backdrop but a central character—a massive, ever-changing structure that defies conventional physics. The atmosphere blends mundane government bureaucracy with unsettling, high-concept science fiction and horror elements. Players will explore stark, concrete environments juxtaposed with bizarre, reality-bending phenomena as Jesse delves deeper into the secrets and strange experiments conducted by the Bureau.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay loop centers on exploration, narrative discovery, and intense, physics-based combat. Jesse utilizes a transforming service weapon, which can shift between several distinct forms, offering tactical variety in firefights. Beyond conventional weaponry, players unlock and upgrade a suite of supernatural abilities.

Mastering Supernatural Power

A defining feature is the acquisition and use of these powers. These include telekinesis—allowing players to rip chunks of the environment to use as projectiles—levitation, and psychic shielding. Success in combat often requires seamlessly integrating these powers with the service weapon, leveraging the game's highly reactive and destructible environments to gain an advantage over the Hiss-corrupted enemies.

What makes the combat unique?

The game distinguishes itself through its commitment to its internal logic and its focus on environmental interaction. Every piece of debris, every filing cabinet, and every piece of concrete can potentially become a weapon or a shield. Furthermore, the narrative unfolds non-linearly as Jesse pieces together the history of the Bureau and the nature of the invasion through found documents, environmental storytelling, and interactions with the few remaining Bureau agents.

Story Progression and Content

The central plot follows Jesse Faden’s personal search for answers as she grows into the demanding role of the Director. She works alongside other surviving Bureau agents, uncovering layers of conspiracy and strange occurrences within the shifting headquarters. While the main game provides the core narrative, there are two significant expansions available that continue Jesse Faden’s story and introduce new locations and challenges within this universe.

Platform Availability