Control Resonant review leaks before release date, praising performance and combat

The Control Resonant review embargo expires on September 18th at 9 AM EST/3 PM CEST. However, the Argentinian website Cultura Geek submitted a now-deleted score to Metacritic early. Although it came with only a synopsis, there are encouraging signs ahead of the game’s September 24th release date (some spoilers may follow).

A radically different Resonant

Before commenting on combat and performance, the journalist describes how Remedy Entertainment has reshuffled the prequel’s formula. Players will guide Dylan Faden, Jesse’s younger brother, throughout a haunted Manhattan. The open-ended setting is a departure, and Dylan confronts enemies directly rather than from afar. Melee attacks involve the versatile shapeshifting Aberrant weapon.

In the summary of the leaked Control Resonant review posted on Metacritic, it compares the “entertaining” battles to those in Devil May Cry. At the same time, the faster-paced combat doesn’t disturb the unnerving atmosphere.

Control Resonant performance was another concern for some followers leading up to the game’s release date. Control had its own issues, and the follow-up's more open-world design could strain hardware. On consoles, PS5 owners can choose a 1440p/60 fps mode or a 4K/30 fps alternative. It’s unclear which platform Cultura Geek tested the title on, but it noted “solid technical performance.”

The saga of Dylan Faden

With Remedy Entertainment’s Control, players expressed mixed impressions of the narrative. While the paranormal-afflicted environments were engaging, the dialogue wasn't always as convincing. The leaked review suggests the repetitive story of Resonant may be a weak point, at least early on.

The developers have also added RPG elements, including skill customization for Dylan. The average Metacritic rating will reflect how well they have executed these changes. Cultura Geek believes the title deserves an 80/100, similar to the 82 mark of the original.

Regardless of the critical consensus, the Alan Wake studio can take comfort in reportedly strong Control Resonant pre-orders. As of August 11, the company claimed it appeared on over 1.5 million wishlists across multiple platforms. One update that made PS5 and Xbox buyers hesitate is the delay of the physical version's release date to October 15th.