Control

One part David Fincher, one part Chris Carter, one part David Lynch, all thrilling supernatural experience! Respect the Janitor!

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In Control Ultimate Edition, you must stop a corruptive presence that has infiltrated the Federal Bureau of Control, using your powers and the world as your weapon. Uncover dark secrets and experience an intense, supernatural struggle in this award-winning, third-person action-adventure game. Explore open-ended environments and enjoy a deeply satisfying gameplay experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 37,426 reviews

story9,672 positive mentions

grinding705 negative mentions

story
23,456 mentions
41 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Control" is a complex and intriguing narrative that blends elements of supernatural horror and psychological thriller, drawing inspiration from the SCP Foundation and other surreal sources. While many players find the atmosphere and world-building captivating, the storytelling can be convoluted and requires significant engagement with collectibles and lore to fully grasp the plot, leading to mixed feelings about its coherence and emotional impact. Overall, the game is praised for its unique storytelling approach, but some players feel it lacks a satisfying resolution and character development, making it a polarizing experience.
- “Control is an incredible game that excels in all facets: superb gameplay, fantastic looks, and a solid story and sound design.”
- “The story is creative, well written, and interesting.”
- “The story is engaging, original, and well done.”
- “While Control has a bit of a charm of being a Stephen King novel, the X-Files type story of this game wasn't really doing it for me, and I often found myself disinterested in any of the main or side plots.”
- “I get it, they want to make us curious and dig for the backstory by reading and collecting all these collectibles, but nah, that’s just too much.”
- “The story is a convoluted mess with little reward in the end, a comeback of Alan Wake-like storytelling but lower quality, and what's worse, delivered through collectibles, forcing you to basically pause the game for minutes to read or listen to a tape, if you happen to give a damn about the plot.”
gameplay
10,073 mentions
52 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Control" is characterized by a blend of third-person shooting mechanics and supernatural abilities, allowing for a dynamic and engaging combat experience. While many players appreciate the fluidity and creativity of the mechanics, some criticize the repetitiveness of combat encounters and the lack of enemy variety, which can lead to a monotonous gameplay loop over time. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative mechanics and immersive atmosphere, though opinions vary on the depth and enjoyment of the gameplay as it progresses.
- “Control is an incredible game that excels in all facets: superb gameplay, fantastic looks, and a solid story and sound design.”
- “The absolutely tight gameplay combined with unique atmosphere and awesome world building make this a game that will stick with you for a very long time with tons of replayability.”
- “The gameplay is great and using the various powers and versions of the service weapon all feel good and that they serve specific purposes.”
- “Gameplay quickly becomes tiresome, and devolves into a collectathon for achievements.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty barebones, although it does expand way later into the game, it doesn't have enough to really feel like I'm gaining power as a player.”
- “The gameplay itself got AAAed up and gets ridiculously repetitive the further along you go.”
graphics
6,558 mentions
64 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Control" are widely praised for their stunning quality, particularly when utilizing ray tracing technology, which enhances reflections, lighting, and overall visual fidelity. Many players highlight the game's unique aesthetic, combining brutalist architecture with surreal elements, creating an immersive atmosphere that captivates throughout the gameplay. However, some users report performance issues, such as texture loading problems and frame rate drops, especially on lower-end systems, which can detract from the otherwise impressive graphical experience.
- “The visuals are absolutely breathtaking, even sort of on minimum settings.”
- “The visuals, sound design, cinematography, acting, and so on were all top-notch throughout the game.”
- “It is fun to play as you find different entities to combat or avoid, while the graphics are beautiful, especially when maxed out and using ray tracing.”
- “Despite having a GeForce RTX 4080 Super, I couldn’t run the game on more than high graphics settings.”
- “The only gripe I have is the game's problem of cache and memory allocation, since it uses up a minuscule amount of memory to render posters and other visuals, which leads to players noticing how blurry they are most of the time.”
- “The environments are supposed to be liminal and like this 70s wood-grain office/power facility/scifi containment center/mindscape dreamscape/brutalist mix, but nothing really stands out to me visually or aesthetically.”
atmosphere
2,477 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Control" is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality, effectively blending elements of horror, mystery, and surrealism. Players appreciate the meticulous attention to detail in the game's environments, sound design, and lighting, which together create a haunting and captivating experience reminiscent of the SCP Foundation and Lovecraftian themes. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative clarity, the overall atmospheric presentation is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's storytelling and player engagement.
- “The meticulous attention to detail in the design of the oldest house, with its brutalist architecture and surreal, shifting interiors, contributes to an eerie and captivating atmosphere that keeps players on edge.”
- “The atmosphere is both eerie and intriguing, keeping players hooked as they explore the ever-shifting environment of the bureau.”
- “The atmosphere, aesthetic, and writing can be really excellent, but the game itself is extremely mid.”
- “Atmosphere was dull and gray and boring.”
- “But here it ends up honestly ruining the atmosphere because you get sick of seeing the same grey aesthetic everywhere you go.”
- “I saw many people liked the atmosphere in this game, but for me, it just feels empty.”
music
1,452 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Control" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and haunting qualities, particularly during key sequences like the "ashtray maze," where the song "Take Control" by the in-game band Old Gods of Asgard enhances the experience. While some players found the soundtrack to be memorable and fitting, others criticized it for being sparse or forgettable, noting that much of the game features minimal music, which can detract from the overall immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point in certain moments, but many felt it could have been more consistently impactful throughout the game.
- “The music, composed by Petri Alanko and Martin Stig Andersen, is haunting and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game's mysterious and eerie tone.”
- “The ashtray maze is like being in a music video.”
- “From ambient drones to pulsating electronic beats, the music sets the tone for Jesse's journey and adds to the game's sense of mystery and dread.”
- “The music is non-existent and forgettable.”
- “The thunder song distorts you.”
- “The soundtrack is a missed opportunity here.”
optimization
817 mentions
37 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Control" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its graphical quality and performance on high-end systems, particularly with ray tracing and DLSS enabled. However, numerous users reported significant performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and inconsistent frame rates, especially on mid-range hardware. While some found the game well-optimized for their setups, others experienced frustrating technical problems that detracted from the overall experience.
- “The game is well optimized with minimal game-breaking glitches and provides ample settings to cater to everyone's preference.”
- “This game is beautifully optimized and takes full advantage of NVIDIA's DLSS technology.”
- “The graphics themselves are really great even on minimal settings, and the game is optimized in such a great way that this game looks and plays really great even on a trash PC like mine.”
- “Unfortunately, I experienced significant performance issues while playing.”
- “This is the worst optimized game I've ever played.”
- “It's an amazing game, but it's held back by horrible game engine performance and an anticlimactic ending.”
grinding
787 mentions
1 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the combat and gameplay repetitive and tedious, especially as the game progresses. While some appreciate the initial excitement and unique abilities, they often feel that the need for grinding—whether for resources, upgrades, or to overcome difficulty spikes—detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Additionally, the frequent respawning of enemies and backtracking contribute to a feeling of tedium, making the gameplay feel like a chore rather than an engaging adventure.
- “It's really not tedious at all in my opinion and just gives me a slight bit more pressure when trying to defeat a boss, which is great.”
- “It's not too grindy though, and that is a very good choice in my opinion.”
- “It's not too tedious but it's a bit immersion breaking.”
- “Combat is extremely repetitive which is super tedious after a while.”
- “The issue is the pacing, and the pacing sucks because every part of this game is tedious.”
- “I liked this game at first, it was interesting, but it gets tedious and ridiculous fast.”
humor
520 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, blending dark comedy with surreal elements reminiscent of SCP and X-Files themes. Players appreciate the quirky dialogue, entertaining lore, and the absurdity of certain situations, often leading to genuine laughter. The character interactions, particularly those involving the protagonist Jesse and the Finnish janitor, add a layer of charm and relatability, making the overall experience both engaging and amusing.
- “The dialogue is funny, the story is compelling, and the general concept is amazing.”
- “The narration is surprisingly funny at times, to the point I found myself laughing out loud in a few places.”
- “The game is a perfect balance of epic, creepy, strange, and funny.”
- “The story is absolute nonsense (i.e. Looney Tunes level nonsense, but not funny), and much of it is told through notes or videos that you pick up and read or watch when you choose.”
- “The dialogue is pretty relatable to real life; the animations when characters are talking can be a bit jarring, if not funny to watch.”
- “The story is absolute nonsense (i.e. Looney Tunes level nonsense, but not funny), and much of it is told through notes or videos that you pick up and read or watch when you choose.”
stability
292 mentions
18 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its optimization and lack of major bugs, while others report frequent crashes, freezes, and game-breaking glitches. Many users experienced intermittent issues, particularly with achievements and specific gameplay mechanics, leading to frustration. Overall, while some players found the game to run smoothly, a significant number encountered stability problems that detracted from their experience.
- “Game was bug free for me using Proton Experimental and DX12, and ray tracing works well.”
- “Love how clean it is - no glitches, runs like a dream.”
- “Great port, well optimized, bug free.”
- “I am also fuming that the game’s achievements are so buggy and do not pop even when completed, that I cannot attain 100% completion.”
- “Unplayable on Steam Deck due to frequent freezes and stutters.”
- “This game is a buggy mess; just after the Steam return period ended, I died and the game tells me it can't load my save and restarts the campaign.”
replayability
220 mentions
20 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag, with some players noting a lack of incentive to replay after completing the main storyline, which lasts around 8-15 hours. While there are side missions and collectibles that can enhance replay value, many reviewers feel that the absence of a New Game+ mode and repetitive gameplay diminish the overall replayability. However, some players appreciate the RPG elements and hidden secrets that encourage exploration, suggesting that there is potential for replayability, particularly for completionists.
- “The absolutely tight gameplay combined with unique atmosphere and awesome world building make this a game that will stick with you for a very long time with tons of replayability.”
- “Infinite replayability, tons of content, easter eggs and lore, this is so damn good!”
- “The game has immense replay value as you can rediscover the collectibles and realize the complex connections the story crafts.”
- “Other than beating the main game, there is no reason to replay the game, so the replayability of this title could be higher.”
- “Unfortunately, bugs, a short story, and no replayability bring it down too much to recommend at full price.”
- “The game does not really offer some replayability.”
emotional
188 mentions
82 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a lack of connection to the protagonist and the story. While some appreciated the game's atmosphere and intriguing lore, they found the narrative execution lacking, resulting in an emotional detachment from key plot points and character arcs. Overall, the game struggles to create a meaningful emotional experience, often overshadowed by its gameplay mechanics and storytelling shortcomings.
- “The narrative is complemented by outstanding performances, especially from the protagonist, adding emotional depth to the already engaging plot.”
- “Control is absurd at just the right times, bouncing between grim humor in the face of otherworldly malice and genuinely serious, emotional moments in a universe that follows an insane rulebook, of which you can only read a few pages.”
- “I have just finished the game and I am speechless, exhausted, emotional and confused, not to mention dissociated.”
- “But its promising premise is overshadowed by lackluster execution, boring storytelling, and uninspired gameplay mechanics.”
- “Incredibly boring story, never takes full advantage of the setting.”
- “Wonderfully atmospheric setting, and possessing excellent lore, but dragged down by middling gameplay and a boring story.”
character development
122 mentions
33 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and intricacies of the characters and their backgrounds, while others criticize the protagonist, Jesse Faden, for being superficial and lacking significant growth throughout the story. Many players feel that important character moments and revelations are missing, leading to a sense of disconnection from the characters. Overall, while there are highlights in character design and storytelling, the execution of character development appears inconsistent, leaving some players wanting more.
- “The skill tree for character development, the pacing, the unfolding story, and the endearing characters—even with their dark, mysterious, and eerie styles—were all superbly crafted.”
- “The character development is, in my opinion, among the best of all time.”
- “Furthermore, you can feel that a lot of time/effort was spent on the intricacies, both characters, missions, lore, environment, and the character development of the protagonist.”
- “Jesse Faden is a very superficial protagonist and she undergoes no major character development over the entire course of the game.”
- “Worst of all is the outright poorly written protagonist with no character development whatsoever.”
- “More importantly, the story lacks enough character development to make the protagonist relatable and justify why she decided to take on the role of director, which she previously refused.”
monetization
22 mentions
9 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
64 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, loot boxes, and unnecessary online features, focusing instead on delivering a solid standalone single-player experience. However, some users express disappointment over the inclusion of advertisements and feel that the developers may have misled players regarding the absence of monetization practices. Overall, the game offers a fulfilling experience without the typical modern monetization pitfalls.
- “No microtransactions, no weird online functionality, just a cool single-player story in a weird, interesting world with fantastic action gameplay.”
- “It doesn't have a place to buy stuff, neither in-game nor through microtransactions.”
- “They promised not to add microtransactions or loot boxes, but they seemingly couldn't help but add the same sort of dumb mechanics without the actual money.”
- “It doesn't have a place to buy stuff, neither in-game nor microtransactions.”
- “Oh but at least you get to play an Alan Wake advertisement.”