Partial Control

About

Partial Control is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Cavern Head and was released on June 14, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

Overcome the limitations of having a hacked brain and still survive. Most of the time you have no control, but at key moments you can take decisions that are vital: think them through very carefully. The rest of the time, watch your body act and hope you make it out alive...

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

The game features a unique and innovative gameplay mechanic that combines strategy and puzzle-solving, allowing for multiple approaches to each level.
The campaign offers a substantial amount of content with 81 levels, and additional modes like 'Chaotic Universe' and a level editor enhance replayability.
Despite its rough graphics, the game has a distinct charm and atmosphere, and the gameplay is engaging enough to keep players invested.

The technical implementation is poor, with unpolished graphics and animations that detract from the overall experience.
Some gameplay elements can feel random and lead to frustrating trial-and-error moments, making it difficult to strategize effectively.
The price point is considered steep for the quality and content offered, leading to concerns about its value compared to other games.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
68%
14%
The gameplay is the standout feature of the game, offering innovative mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and planning, particularly in its turn-based combat system. While the visuals and audio may be basic, the campaign effectively introduces players to the gameplay mechanics, making it accessible despite its complexity. Overall, players find the gameplay addictive and refreshing, though some feel the content may not justify the price.
- “The combat field generated is small, but it's the environment that decides how the slaughter is carried out, making the simplistic gameplay fresh every time.”
- “This has some interesting gameplay implications; you can't just try to grab the nearest weapon and go to town. You are forced to consider the possibilities, realize what your enemies are going to grab, who they are targeting, and make a plan with that information, all without even giving the first order, and that is great.”
- “Where this game really shines is in its gameplay.”
- “If you're looking for a more standard game in regards to visuals, themes, and gameplay, then skip over this strange little gem, since this one is all about weirdness!”
- “The story took some time to really get started and didn't have much impact on the actual gameplay; it felt more like something separate from the actual game that you discover as you progress through the levels.”
- “Some game mechanics take some time to understand.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The game's story is generally considered acceptable but not a primary focus, with many reviewers noting that it feels secondary to the gameplay. While some elements are intriguing and the narrative unfolds gradually, it often lacks depth and impact, with players primarily enjoying the gameplay mechanics. Overall, the story is described as simplistic and functional, serving more as a backdrop to the action rather than a driving force.
- “You could have a good time messing around and trying to kill cyborgs, jumping from decision to decision, or enjoying the weird and interesting story.”
- “Even the campaign mode helps to introduce the gameplay mechanics and lets in on its story with a dash of philosophy.”
- “Even though it was quite simplistic, it had me intrigued on some occasions wanting to know more about the backstory and learning about all the mysteries.”
- “The story has some obnoxiously dumb elements to it, but it's not all that important.”
- “The story took some time to really get started and didn't have much impact on the actual gameplay; it felt more like something separate from the actual game that you discover as you progress through the levels.”
- “The focus of the game is clearly directed on the gameplay, but it actually has a pretty decent storyline throughout the campaign.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's graphics are characterized by a minimalist, low-polygon style reminiscent of early 1990s 3D games, which some players find unappealing and indicative of a lack of effort. While the visuals may be rough and simplistic, they effectively convey gameplay information and contribute to a unique atmosphere, appealing to those who appreciate its quirky charm. However, players seeking polished graphics or a more conventional aesthetic may be disappointed.
- “The visuals can be a bit rough around the edges, for example, the UI doesn't look amazing, but the gameplay visuals are clear enough that you generally know exactly what's going on, and that's a boon in and of itself with this sort of game.”
- “Don't let the graphics scare you from playing this strategic puzzle masterpiece!”
- “The simple graphical style does help give a clear overview of the level without adding too much visual clutter.”
- “The lack of textures is a method that lazy developers often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly, trying to pass it off as 'art' or 'we made it look bad on purpose.' This is not something gamers should have to put up with.”
- “The story is presented bit by bit with short videos and images; it's nothing to write home about, and neither are the music or graphics. The graphics, in particular, are especially ugly and solely functional. Even so, it works for me, but if you cannot look past these things, then this game might not be for you.”
- “As you can see in the screenshots, the graphics are very rough around the edges and could use a bit more polish, but they get the job done for what is needed.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The music and sound effects in the game are described as basic and functional, serving primarily as tools for gameplay rather than enhancing the player's experience. Overall, they are considered unremarkable, similar to the game's graphics.
- “The music and sound effects are very basic, and are more used as a tool for the gameplay than to serve as a way to please the player.”
- “The story is given bit by bit with short videos and images; it's nothing to write home about, neither are the music or graphics. The latter being especially ugly and solely functional. Even so, it works for me, but if you cannot look past these things, then this game might not be for you.”
- “Like the graphics, the music and sound effects are very basic and are more used as a tool for the gameplay than to serve as a way to please the player.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting amusing moments such as unexpected behaviors and quirky default names, like a crude Polish slang term for their cyborg. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience.
- “I had a funny moment when the game's default name for my cyborg was some crude Polish slang - fjut2.”
- “There were many funny moments when unexpected behaviors occurred.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its innovative gameplay and unique tone, enhanced by simplistic graphics that evoke a cyberspace feel. While the visuals may be considered unremarkable, they effectively contribute to the overall ambiance.
- “Very innovative gameplay, with a great atmosphere and tone. Love it!”
- “The graphics in this game have a simplistic cyberspace feeling to them, which works well to give the game its unique atmosphere.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express uncertainty about the game's replayability, although they enjoyed their initial experience.