Control Preview: Why Remedy's newest thriller is better than your favourite Netflix series (Pic: REMEDY)
Control is a what would happen if you got Stephen King to make a Max Payne game. Its what would happen if David Lynch directed Hitman. All the beautiful weirdness of Twin Peaks entwined with the strong, rejuvenated third-person action gameplay weve seen flourish this generation.
Its said were going through a second golden age of television right now thanks to the quality of programming thats available – and we think thats true.
And what Control proves is that media does not exist in a vacuum and that games, TV and film are all lifting each other up right now, delivering some fascinating cinematic experiences – no matter what format you want to digest them in.
Control leverages the pedigree of dialogue, the pacing of the scripting, the feel of the world that we see in modern classics like True Detective, Hannibal, The Wire, Mad Men and more besides to make it feel like a game that's been directly influenced and shaped in the image of these shows. Complex themes, morally ambiguous characters and not being shy about flirting with violence are all elements that stack Control up against the best of modern TV – and when you factor in tight, intuitive gameplay on top of that… you're onto a winner.
But first thing's first: All good stories revolve around the characters in the middle of them, and Controls cast is immediately captivating.
Main character Jesse undulates between intense and vulnerable as her past trauma reveals itself in intriguing bytes, and the supporting cast of strangers all have something about them thats so unsettling that you feel like you dont just want to figure out their motivations, you need to.
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Can you get more Lynchian? (Pic: REMEDY)
Never is that clearer than with the Janitor that works at the Federal Bureau of Control – where the game is set. Ahti – an older Finnish gentleman with a penchant for talking in riddles and listening to music as he works – immediately baffled us with his friendly disposition and apparently addled mind.
Within two or three lines, we were captivated by him. Despite the clothing, the lived-in office adorned with Finnish travel posters and the remarkable voicework and acting of his character, we didnt trust him. This guy clearly isnt just a janitor.
He keeps talking about going on a vacation that isnt just some exotic jaunt, but clearly some sort of psychonaut experience or something. And he needs your help before he can do that. Between his casual way of talking, his slipping between Finnish and English, and is written like the friendliest uncle in your family, Ahti isnt just an NPC – hes a full-on character, a cast member, a part of the ensemble.
And hes just one other person we met. Theres Jesse herself – through whose internal monologue we learn about the occult goings-on in the world of Control – and theres Pope, Jesses colleague at the FBC.
Though we didnt hear Pope talk much, you can tell she's a stern, intelligent woman thanks to the fantastic facial capture and the incredible performance given by the actress.
Ahti is one of the most intriguing characters we've seen in games this gen (Pic: REMEDY)
The best stories in games control the tension at all times, ramping it up to keep you engaged and make the gameplay feel important, relaxing it on the offbeat to lull you into a false sense of security, establish the stakes for your next shootout, your next puzzle, your next dilemma.
The way Control paces the tension is artisanal – you can tell Remedy has been building up this game for generations. We only had chance to play about an hour of the title, but between the brutalist architecture of the games setting bearing down on you and the superhero-ish powers youre teased through the fights with, it does third-person action unlike anything else this generation (or last generation, for that matter).
Remedy leans more into combat in this game than, say, Alan Wake, but youd be forgiven for thinking theyd be honing the system since the studio was established back in 1995. The studio wantRead More – Source
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