Dylan Faden in CONTROL Resonant
Dylan is Jesse Faden’s brother, the face of the enemy in the first game by the studio’s own account, and the only character you play in Resonant.
Character file
- Relation
- Jesse Faden’s brother. The studio’s recap text says Jesse “finally found her long-lost brother, Dylan.” Written in Steam announcement: Previously on CONTROL
- In the first game
- “In CONTROL, Dylan was the face of the enemy”, in the studio’s words, corrupted and controlled by the Hiss. Stated in Steam announcement: the release date announcement
- Before Resonant starts
- Years in the Federal Bureau of Control’s confinement. Listed on Steam store page (appdetails API)
- Playable
- Yes, and alone: “Dylan Faden is at the center of the story, and our only playable character.” Stated in Steam announcement: the release date announcement
- Weapon
- The Aberrant, a shapeshifting melee weapon. See weapon forms.
- Powers
- New combat abilities, earned by defeating bosses called Resonants. Explained in PlayStation Blog: New gameplay details on Control Resonant's supernatural action
- Field contact
- Zoe De Vera, an FBC field agent who acts as his handler. Written in PlayStation Blog: New gameplay details on Control Resonant's supernatural action
Where he starts
The studio’s first gameplay announcement describes the opening premise: “you take on the mantle of Dylan Faden as he steps out of the Oldest House for the first time in his adult life”. Written in Steam announcement: First CONTROL Resonant gameplay revealed The Steam description gives the same starting point from the other side, that after years in confinement he “emerges into a warped Manhattan at the peak of a paranatural crisis.” Listed on Steam store page (appdetails API)
The story trailer announcement puts it in terms of who he is now: Dylan “taking control for the first time in his life, after years of imprisonment by the FBC.” Written in Steam announcement: the release date announcement The wider setup is on the premise page.
The weapon and the powers
The Lead Gameplay Designer’s post says “Dylan wields the Aberrant, an otherworldly, shapeshifting melee weapon that is a central element of the player’s combat arsenal.” It can transform into forms the post lists as Hammer, Blades, Scythe and Fists, and the same post says more forms exist that were not revealed yet. Written in PlayStation Blog: New gameplay details on Control Resonant's supernatural action
His abilities come from a different place. Each boss he defeats grants one, and the build space where he sets his loadout is the Gap, which the studio calls “a dreamlike space tied to Dylan’s psyche”. Described in PlayStation Blog: A deep dive into combat, buildcrafting and player choice
Dylan and Jesse
Dylan carries the story, but the studio says the siblings are tied together: “Jesse remains central to the story of CONTROL Resonant, but it’s Dylan moving the story forward.” Stated in Steam announcement: the release date announcement The store text says he will also seek out his sister, so her page has the rest: Jesse Faden.
Reviewers on the character
Rock Paper Shotgun’s reviewer describes a Dylan who takes to heroics with weary determination, driven by guilt over his past and concern for his sister. That is one reviewer’s reading and not a studio description. Reviewed by Rock Paper Shotgun: CONTROL Resonant review
The studio’s Meet the Cast development diary, the last in the series, is where the cast talk about the roles. Announced in Steam announcement: Meet the Cast
Related
- Jesse Faden for his sister
- The premise, spoiler-free and Is it a sequel?
- Weapon forms for the Aberrant
- Resonant vs Control for what changed with the lead