CONTROL Resonant sequel: how it connects to Control
Remedy answers the sequel question in its own FAQ, and the answer comes with a place in the timeline, a new lead character and a new setting.
The studio’s answer
Yes, it is a full sequel. The developer’s pinned FAQ carries the exact question, “Is CONTROL Resonant a true sequel to CONTROL, or is it a spin-off?” and answers “CONTROL Resonant is a full sequel.” The same answer says the new title reflects “the ambition behind this next chapter”, with Dylan Faden as “the new playable protagonist.” Stated in Steam discussions: the developer's pinned FAQ
Remedy’s worldwide launch announcement uses the same word, describing the game as “the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning CONTROL”. Written in Remedy: the worldwide launch announcement
When it takes place
A developer reply in the FAQ thread puts it in one line: “CONTROL Resonant takes place after Control.” Replied in Steam discussions: the developer's pinned FAQ The studio’s Emily Pope article gives a distance: “It's been seven years since the Federal Bureau of Control established the lockdown in the Oldest House.” Written in Steam announcement: Paranatural Manhattan Trailer Out Now
The Steam description picks the thread up from there: “FBC Director Jesse Faden's lockdown is no longer holding.” Listed on Steam store page (appdetails API) The premise itself is laid out on the story page.
What carries over, what is new
Carries over
- The Faden siblings. Creative Director Mikael Kasurinen says “The stories in both games have the Faden siblings at the center”. Said in Xbox Wire: Control Resonant, self-publishing and Xbox Play Anywhere
- Emily Pope returns “in a slightly different role”. Written in Steam announcement: Paranatural Manhattan Trailer Out Now
- Parts of the first game’s setting: players will find areas of the Oldest House that “haven't been seen in CONTROL”. Written in Steam announcement: Paranatural Manhattan Trailer Out Now
- The Hiss and the Mold, both named among the threats in the Steam description. Listed on Steam store page (appdetails API)
What is new
- A new lead: Dylan Faden, the only playable character. Stated in Steam announcement: the release date announcement
- Manhattan in place of the Oldest House, built as zones and not as an open world. Explained in PlayStation Blog: New gameplay details on Control Resonant's supernatural action More on that at open world.
- A shapeshifting melee weapon where the first game had gunplay: the full comparison. Said in Steam announcement: How We Built CONTROL Resonant's Expanded Assist Mode
Standing on its own
Kasurinen: “I look at these two games as siblings, each standing on their own feet, with their own attitude and approach to the world.” Said in Xbox Wire: Control Resonant, self-publishing and Xbox Play Anywhere
Whether that means you can skip the first game is answered on Play Control first?
The Control 2 name
Press called the project Control 2 before the title was public. Rock Paper Shotgun’s report on the reveal ran under a headline saying that Control 2 is Control Resonant, so a search for either name is about the same game. Reported by Rock Paper Shotgun: It's official: Control 2 is Control Resonant
The studio explained the name in its first gameplay announcement: “it's called CONTROL Resonant because Resonants will be the biggest, toughest enemies Dylan will encounter on his quest to save Manhattan.” Written in Steam announcement: First CONTROL Resonant gameplay revealed
Sequel or spin-off
The FAQ carries the spin-off question as its own entry, and the answer is direct. The studio’s Creative Director adds: “But it’s still the same shared world, in the middle of a new crisis.” Said in Xbox Wire: Control Resonant, self-publishing and Xbox Play Anywhere The Steam page says the same thing in its own words: “Join Dylan in this sequel to the multi-award-winning CONTROL”. Listed on Steam store page (appdetails API)
Related
- Play Control first? for the studio’s answer on the entry point
- Resonant vs Control for a side-by-side of the two games
- The premise, spoiler-free and Jesse Faden
- Trailers for the official videos