Its been about a year since I played Control, and I am considering doing another play through. I've heard some people hated the game, and other people like it. Personally I really enjoyed it, mostly because I really liked the visual style and have always loved the SCP/warehouse 13 kind of fortean anomaly agencies kind of story. The telekinetic abilities, although kinda janky at the start, are really fun towards the end of the game. On the downside, the controls can be a bit confusing at times, and some of the lighting makes it hard to tell what I am supposed to be shooting or interacting with. Some of the gun modes are basically worthless, like the sniper. Also, if you don't complete some of the achievements before beating the game, it's basically impossible without completely replaying the game. What are your thoughts?
I do, I DO! I really enjoyed the game near the end after I learned flight. I got really annoyed at the constant fps drops, but given that they turned almost everything in the environment into a telepathic bullet, I couldn't complain. The inventory system was annoying, you ran out of space very quickly, but it kept me actively messing with builds and looking for upgrades amidst all the chaos.
The lore was a LOT of fun, it was really cool, and creepy. I really would spend most of the time just searching for more file memos and recordings. There was a fun mirror quest that freaked me the fuck out. They really did well with atmosphere.
The shifting maze house was so much fucking fun, especially with the death metal sound track.
I got it with psn plus subscription and I let that lapse but I managed to beat back the hiss and I was going further into the Old House at the time. I was stuck in a challenge island, that was meh.
Once you have all the powers, it's the best third person combat I've ever played. You're really squishy, even in the easier difficulties it only takes a few shots to put you down. So you've got a lot of mobility instead. The game gets you to move around, make your own cover, distract enemies, or make use of vertical spaces. It's amazing how fluid it is. The translation of where I wanted the character to go from the sequence of button presses became instant. I love how the enemies are all visually distinct and you can tell instantly from a distance who they are and what they're gonna shoot at you.
Also like other people have said, the game is structured like a creepypasta series or something. Not a lot of big concepts are addressed, rather you just gotta keep moving for the general mood. The grand mysteries stay that way, as it should be.
The inventory system is really lackluster though. I never liked how the weapon upgrades were just better versions of the same thing. Plus 4% rate of fire and -12% weapon spread and blah blah blah. Killed the pacing. It's a shooty shoot run cover jump fly telekinesis slam a fire extinguisher into a demon's face game and then it's like "no no do some fiddly math and inventory management with these 35 upgrades you picked up"
I eventually just stopped looking at the weapon upgrades unless it was a massive, marked increase from what I had before and usually only cared if it was an ammo or damage mod.
I'm just glad that it seems like we're out of the reboot/sequel/clone slump. It was a unique game that I hadn't seen done before really. Interesting setting, interesting gameplay, off the wall story. Better than "near futuristic military propaganda 305" or "cartooney 5v5 shmup with TF2 classes 23"
plus clearly SCP inspired without just being a ripoff of the setting. i never played it but became really interested in their worldbuilding.
The SCP stuff is more of an homage, they have some flavor quests that are pretty close and I feel like they might have actually added some to the wiki before the game was released lol.
It's got some Death Standing vibes but with a faster paced story.
Wait why don't you like the sniper? I see my partner shoot and scoot with it around corners a bunch
Takes too long to aim overall. I find just shooting charges at that distance more effective and fun.
I started it just this week! I'm enjoying it so far. The setting is pretty cool.
I like how everyone you meet just instantly accepts that you're the new director
Floating in the air throwing computers and concrete slabs at people rocks
Gameplay is pretty good but not my fave of all time. But of course Alan Wake is one of my fave games and it's gameplay is shhhh at best. Basically for me Remedy's games are all about the vibe. And control does that very well. I adore the "not quite right but recognizable" vibe of the setting.
I loved Control but I'm biased because I've been reading weird fiction, creepypastas, and scp stuff for years so seeing that stuff in a video game was exactly what I've always wanted. I thought the game did a great job of keeping the story going, I was always interested in what would happen next and all the different areas were really fun to explore. I've heard some people didn't really enjoy the combat? But I really liked it it felt like a good change of pace from your typical shooter as all the different abilities provide a lot of options in each encounter.
It's the only game I've gotten every achievement in and a part of that is how well the little secrets are interspersed into the game areas. Not to say too much but the secret with the Newton's Cradles was probably my favourite puzzle I've found in a game without having to look up what to do.
Your phone calls with The Board alone are worth it. Gameplay's fun too. The main character is a completely blank slate though.
