Control Resonant’s Manhattan feels empty compared to the original’s iconic office

Key points

• Control Resonant moves the action from the brutalist The Oldest House to a distorted, open-world version of Manhattan.
• Critics note that the new city feels generic and repetitive, lacking the unique architectural identity and escalating weirdness of the original game’s office.
• The game’s combat balance was adjusted via a day-one hotfix to address early complaints about excessive enemy health.
• The Verge highlights that the game’s extensive readable documents, including enemy logs and memos, offer deep character development and humor.
• Remedy Entertainment has confirmed post-launch updates, including a New Game++ mode in October and a Photo Mode in November.

Background

Control Resonant launched on September 24, 2026, following a strong early review period with Metacritic scores of 84 on PS5 and 83 on PC. The game features a protagonist switch from Jesse to Dylan Faden and utilizes melee combat and gravity anomalies. A day-one hotfix was deployed to address combat balance issues, and Remedy has outlined a post-launch roadmap including a New Game++ mode and Photo Mode.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku’s Garrett Martin argues that Control Resonant’s open-world Manhattan setting is a 'slog' compared to the original’s The Oldest House, which he praises for its tight, liminal design that gradually introduces weirdness. In contrast, The Verge’s Kallie Plagge emphasizes the game’s depth in its readable documents, highlighting how enemy logs and memos reveal character personalities and humor, such as a workplace romance between two FBC employees. While Kotaku focuses on the visual and structural repetition of the city, The Verge highlights the narrative and character depth found in the game’s text.

Why it matters

Control Resonant’s shift to an open-world setting raises questions about how Remedy can maintain the tight, liminal design that made the original Control a standout. The game’s reliance on readable documents for character development and lore suggests that depth and engagement can be achieved through text, even if the visual setting feels repetitive. This highlights the importance of balancing open-world design with tight, narrative-driven experiences in action-RPGs.

What to watch

Remedy Entertainment has confirmed a New Game++ mode for October and a Photo Mode for November, alongside additional cosmetic items. These updates aim to extend the game’s lifespan and provide new ways for players to engage with the content. The day-one hotfix has already addressed combat balance issues, and further updates may continue to refine the game’s difficulty and features.