8.5 /10 26

Control: Ultimate Edition represents the definitive version of Remedy Entertainment’s supernatural action title, combining the base game with both expansion packs (The Foundation and AWE) and next-generation console optimizations. Originally released in 2019 before its Ultimate Edition launch in August 2020, Control establishes itself as a technical showcase for real-time ray-tracing and environmental destruction on contemporary hardware. The narrative follows Jesse Faden, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, navigating a Kafkaesque government agency invaded by supernatural forces called the Hiss. With Metacritic scores reaching 85 and critical consensus emphasizing visceral combat paired with world-building depth, Control appeals to action gamers seeking narrative substance alongside mechanical sophistication. This edition arrived simultaneously on Steam, marking the franchise’s first PC platform entry.

How to Play Control: Ultimate Edition

Control demands mastery of supernatural abilities layered atop conventional third-person shooter mechanics. Players combat supernatural threats using a modifiable Service Weapon paired with telekinetic abilities, environmental destruction, and time-manipulation powers. The game emphasizes ability rotation and reactive environmental interaction, punishing static playstyles while rewarding dynamic combat approaches that leverage environmental hazards.

1. Controls – Standard twin-stick shooter scheme with contextual ability mapping; gamepad support remains superior to mouse-keyboard configuration due to aim-assist necessity; controller vibration integration enhances feedback responsiveness
2. Progression – Completing missions awards material resources and ability points; upgrading Jesse’s Skills Tree unlocks new supernatural powers and passive enhancements; mandatory boss encounters punctuate campaign progression
3. Combat Mechanics – Service Weapon transforms between gun configurations; Telekinesis launches environmental debris as projectiles; Launch ability propels enemies across environment; Shield generates defensive barriers; Evade enables brief invulnerability repositioning; combining abilities creates emergent combat scenarios
4. Tips – Master ability chaining rather than isolated power usage; recognize enemy weakness patterns and exploit environment layouts; collect mandatory upgrades from defeated bosses; side missions provide substantial rewards despite optional status

Who Should Play Control: Ultimate Edition

This action-adventure targets players seeking satisfying combat mechanics embedded within compelling narrative and visual presentation. The game bridges mainstream appeal through accessibility features while maintaining depth for hardcore action enthusiasts. Fans of Remedy’s narrative-driven approach will appreciate layered lore revealed through optional audio logs and documents.

• Action Purists – Telekinetic-focused combat creates distinctive mechanical identity; frequent boss battles and escalating difficulty tiers satisfy challenge-oriented players seeking combat mastery
• Narrative Enthusiasts – Remedy’s signature storytelling weaves government conspiracy with supernatural intrigue; environmental storytelling and optional collectibles reward thorough exploration
• Visual Technology Enthusiasts – Real-time ray-tracing, environmental destruction, and next-generation console optimization showcase technical artistry; PC version delivers 4K/144fps potential with appropriate hardware
• Skip if – Puzzle-focused players will find minimal environmental puzzle requirements; narrative-first audiences uncomfortable with action intensity should note combat comprises 60% of gameplay loop

Control: Ultimate Edition Platform Performance

Control showcases dramatic performance variance across platforms reflecting target hardware capabilities. PC implementation enables 4K resolution with unlimited frame rate potential; PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X deliver native 4K/60fps or 1440p/120fps depending on selected mode. Previous-generation consoles maintain 1080p/60fps stability with ray-tracing disabled. Performance mode prioritizes frame rate stability over visual fidelity across all platforms; quality mode emphasizes visual presentation at 60fps expense.

Control: Ultimate Edition System Requirements

PC requirements span broad hardware tiers; minimum specifications support older gaming systems while maintaining 1440p/60fps baseline performance. Recommended configuration enables 4K gaming with ray-tracing support. Storage allocation reaches 42GB necessitating SSD installation; mechanical drives introduce significant load time penalties. DirectX 12 support ensures modern GPU utilization while maintaining older hardware compatibility through fallback implementations.

Similar Games to Control: Ultimate Edition

Action-adventure titles combining supernatural powers with third-person shooting mechanics share DNA with Control. These games emphasize environmental destruction, ability-based combat, and lore-rich worlds. Each distinguishes itself through unique power sets while maintaining emphasis on combat mastery paired with narrative exploration. Players valuing visceral action mechanics alongside science-fiction worldbuilding find thematic resonance across this category.

• Quantum Break – Remedy Entertainment’s spiritual predecessor featuring time-manipulation combat; television series integration; similar visual presentation and narrative ambition
• Alan Wake 2 – Remedy’s direct sequel universe entry; horror-oriented narrative; shares Federal Bureau of Control mythology; features combat mechanics evolution and psychological depth
• Infamous: Second Son – Sucker Punch’s open-world action game with elemental powers; parkour movement options; destruction-focused combat similar to Control’s environmental interaction
• Destiny 2 – Bungie’s live-service shooter featuring supernatural abilities; cooperative campaign; loot-driven progression mechanics; sustained post-launch support

Control: Ultimate Edition vs Competitors

Control competes against contemporary action-adventure releases on mechanical innovation, visual presentation, and narrative depth. Compared to peer titles, Control distinguishes itself through telekinesis-centric combat mechanics and Remedy’s distinctive visual storytelling approach. Price positioning reflects inclusion of both DLC expansions bundled into the Ultimate Edition. Campaign length metrics show Control offers substantial single-player value exceeding typical action-adventure completion times, though side content remains optional for focused players.

Control: Ultimate Edition Story and World

Set within the Federal Bureau of Control, a secret government agency headquartered in the Oldest House (a labyrinthine brutalist structure existing outside normal space), Control explores themes of institutional control, power corruption, and individual agency against bureaucratic systems. Jesse Faden’s narrative begins with her desperate search for her missing brother Dylan, leading her into the Bureau during an invasion by the Hiss—a sentient supernatural force transforming personnel into hostile entities. The game incorporates real-life footage of actual locations seamlessly into in-game cinematics, creating deliberately disorienting atmosphere. World-building reveals multiple secret histories through optional audio logs and documents; completing these collectibles unveils deeper mythology connecting Control to Alan Wake universe. Environmental storytelling through the Oldest House’s ever-shifting architecture communicates narrative themes; the building itself becomes antagonistic force as Jesse consolidates control. Tone balances cosmic horror with bureaucratic absurdism, creating darkly humorous atmosphere preventing narrative fatigue despite twelve-hour runtime.

Control: Ultimate Edition Multiplayer and Online

Control: Ultimate Edition operates exclusively as single-player narrative experience with zero multiplayer, cooperative, or competitive modes. The game prioritizes solitary supernatural action and story-driven exploration. Online features remain absent; no leaderboards, live events, seasonal content, or multiplayer matchmaking systems exist. Connection requirements limited to initial download and optional telemetry; the game functions completely offline after installation completion. This design choice prioritizes intimate narrative experience and balanced single-player difficulty tuning.

• Single-Player Campaign – Fifteen-hour story campaign structured around ascending Federal Bureau hierarchy; no cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes available
• Expeditions Mode – Optional roguelike-style encounters introducing randomized combat scenarios; available through DLC expansion content; supports only single-player participation
• Challenge Modes – Time-based combat scenarios testing combat proficiency; no leaderboard integration or online ranking systems; offline statistical tracking only
• Online Connectivity – Zero multiplayer infrastructure; the game operates entirely offline after initial Steam/console installation; optional crash reporting represents sole online communication

Control: Ultimate Edition DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content for Control comprises two substantial narrative DLC packs expanding the base game’s mythology and introducing gameplay variations. The Foundation expansion (approximately four hours) reveals secrets of the Bureau’s architecture while introducing environmental puzzle mechanics. The AWE expansion (approximately four hours) connects Control directly to the Alan Wake universe, featuring the protagonist of that franchise in supporting role. Both expansions maintain the original’s combat mechanics while expanding supernatural power applications. Additional cosmetic DLC introduces alternate Jesse Faden costumes. Ultimate Edition bundles both expansions alongside the base game, providing superior value compared to separate purchases.

• The Foundation DLC – Four-hour expansion featuring underground Bureau sections; introduces structural powers gameplay; reveals Oldest House origin lore; price: $9.99 standalone
• AWE DLC – Four-hour expansion featuring Alan Wake narrative integration; introduces expeditions roguelike mode; explores thaumaturgic science concepts; price: $9.99 standalone
• Costume Packs – Cosmetic skins for Jesse Faden including tactical outfit variants; purely aesthetic with zero gameplay impact; pricing $2.99-$4.99 per pack
• Free Updates – Remedy released stability patches, bug fixes, and balance adjustments addressing launch-period performance issues and exploit exploitations

Control: Ultimate Edition Community and Support

The Control community maintains active engagement across Reddit, Discord, and fan wikis documenting combat strategies, lore theories, and collectible locations. Official Remedy Entertainment channels provide periodic developer communication regarding patch status and design philosophy. Community enthusiasm sustains detailed wiki documentation of all Environmental interaction possibilities and optimal combat ability combinations. Modding support remains limited due to technical architecture; fan communities focus instead on discovery documentation and speedrun communities pursuing optimal play strategies. Developer engagement occurs regularly through interviews and postmortems discussing design decisions; post-launch support has concluded as development focus shifted toward Alan Wake 2 and future projects.

• Official Community – Remedy Games maintains official Discord server with regular developer participation and community event hosting
• Reddit Community – r/Control consolidates strategy discussion, speedrun videos, and lore speculation; community managers monitor official announcements
• Fan Wikis – Comprehensive documentation of all collectibles, side missions, lore documents, and combat ability interactions; community-maintained with high accuracy standards
• Update Roadmap – Post-launch support concluded in 2021; future patches unlikely as developer resources prioritize new franchises and sequels