“a visually impressive game with slick controls and a fun gameplay loop. However, it falls short in terms of story depth, boss quality, and mission variety."
HOW I PLAYED: I played Control Ultimate Edition on PC Via Steam. I played on my Alienware Aurora R12 with an i7 and 32GB RAM and RTX 3080. I was able to play on max settings + Ray Tracing at a locked 60fps.
STORY — 14/20
INTRO
Control has a very interesting premise, aiming for a modern-day Shining mixed with Scanners. I thought that the intro moments of the game do a good job of setting the atmosphere. It's very stylish and has a good blend of story telling and action moments.
CUTSCENES
The game smartly mixes live footage with in-game rendered cutscenes, which works well in its somewhat realistic setting. This approach is likely a huge time and resource saver for Remedy Entertainment. At some points I did find this a bit jarring when you were presented with a live action cutscene rather than in game rendered. Gamers who have played "Quantum Break" might be familiar.
WORLD BUILDING
The world-building is intriguing, with a unique setting that draws you in. However, the single main setting can start to blend together, reducing the overall impact of the environment's design. You learn more about Jesse and the situation surrounding her through documents left on desks and video files. I found it very effective and not too fatiguing.
OVERALL STORY
The overall story feels underwhelming due to its lack of strong character connections and overuse of sequential plot points. The premise is fascinating, but the execution falls short of its potential. I really think the story of Control could have used some polish and revisions, and had the potential to be a really great sci-fi horror experience with throwbacks to 70's and 80's classics.
GRAPHICS — 18/20
CHARACTER MODELS
The character models are outstanding, showcasing incredible detail and design. The game truly shines in this department, especially with the Ray Tracing Upgrade in the Ultimate Edition. Remedy has really refined this game engine since Quantum Break back in 2016.
ENVIRONMENTS
The environments look incredible, filled with intricate details and a cohesive design. However, the single main setting can make the areas feel repetitive over time. I was pleased that I can see my character reflection in glass windows and coffee pots though ... 🥴
SPECIAL FX
The special effects are top-notch, adding to the game's immersive experience. The use of lighting, particles, and other visual effects is impressive.
ANIMATIONS
The animations are smooth and well-executed, contributing to the game's overall polished look. Each movement and action feels fluid and natural. I was also very impressed during a boss fight when I was hit with a projectile. At first I thought it was a mistake, but when watching back the footage in slow motion I could see the projectile flew through a hole that was created due to environmental damage VERY COOL!
AUDIO — 13/20
AMBIENCE
The ambient noise fits the game's mood and setting perfectly, creating an eerie and immersive atmosphere. However, it tends to blend into one similar track, lacking variety.
BOSS MUSIC
There is one standout moment with an awesome DAD Metal track, but the rest of the boss music is forgettable. The tracks serve their purpose but don’t leave a lasting impression.
SOUND DESIGN
The sound design is effective, with clear and balanced audio throughout the game. However, the soundtrack as a whole is unremarkable, blending into the background without much distinction.
VARIETY
The variety in the audio department is limited, with most of the sound blending together. More diversity in music and ambient sounds would have enhanced the overall experience.
GAMEPLAY — 27/40
CONTROLS
The controls are slick and responsive, making the gameplay loop fun and engaging. The mechanics are well-designed, providing a satisfying experience. The gunplay was smooth and slick, and I felt the telekinetic abilities played well.
MECHANICS
The game features innovative mechanics that blend seamlessly with the overall gameplay. I thought the mix of telekinetic abilities and 3rd person fps combat worked exceptionally well together. I liked that you could do a mix of both or rely on one or the other and you wouldn't be punished in the game for doing so.
PACING
The pacing is generally good, but the game can become too fetch quest-heavy, which disrupts the flow and enjoyment.
UI/UE
The user interface is clean and intuitive, providing all necessary information without clutter. The user experience is smooth and user-friendly.
BOSS QUALITY
The boss fights are a major disappointment, lacking memorability and challenge. They mostly consist of regular enemies with a boss health bar, failing to stand out.
ENEMY VARIETY
The enemy variety is decent, keeping encounters interesting throughout the game. A lot of them are reskins but I felt the variety was good enough for this type of game.
GAMEPLAY VARIETY
The game is mostly a 3rd person shooter but there are moments of puzzle solving and exploration. But if you are not into the 3rd person shooter genre, then this will not be a great experience for you.
REPLAYABILITY
The replayability is limited due to the repetitive nature of the missions and lack of compelling bosses. There isn’t much incentive to replay the game once completed. There are some collectables to obtain, but unless you are a completionist, there isn't much to incentives you to do a repeat play though.
OVERALL — 72/100
Control: Ultimate Edition is a visually impressive game with slick controls and a fun gameplay loop. However, it falls short in terms of story depth, boss quality, and mission variety. Remedy Entertainment has landed on something special with its gameplay and effects, but there is room for improvement in future titles.
TLDR: 72/100 (GOOD) Control: Ultimate Edition offers stunning visuals and smooth controls but is let down by a lackluster story, repetitive missions, and uninspired boss fights. It's a good game with a lot of potential, but it could have been much more.
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