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Should you play CONTROL before CONTROL Resonant?
CONTROL Resonant is a direct sequel to 2019’s CONTROL, following Dylan Faden seven years after the original game’s events. Although it is designed as a standalone story and offers a fresh entry point into Remedy’s Federal Bureau of Control universe, playing CONTROL first provides important emotional and narrative context, particularly for the relationship between Dylan and the original protagonist, Jesse Faden.
The sequel revisits ideas, characters and threats introduced in CONTROL, including the Hiss, Dr Emily Pope and Simon Arish. Resonant reportedly differs considerably in style, leaning closer to Devil May Cry than its predecessor, but both games received a score of nine out of 10 from Destructoid; the article also recommends playing both Alan Wake games because of their wider connections to Remedy’s universe.
In short
- CONTROL Resonant can be played on its own.
- Playing CONTROL first adds significant emotional context.
- Both games are highly praised and worth experiencing.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those favouring the original first argue that playing CONTROL provides essential emotional and narrative context, particularly for character relationships and the weight of revisiting familiar threats and locations. The developers have deliberately woven connective threads between the games, suggesting the richer experience comes from encountering them in sequence. Since both games achieved equal acclaim, the time investment yields quality storytelling that enhances the sequel's resonance.
The case against
Those arguing Resonant stands alone emphasise that the developers explicitly designed it as a fresh entry point precisely to avoid gatekeeping new players behind twenty hours of prerequisite gaming. Playing the sequel first respects that design choice and lets you enjoy it on its own merits; you can explore the original afterward if the universe captivates you. Time constraints are genuine, and requiring the prequel defeats the purpose of making a standalone story accessible.
Explained simply
CONTROL is a 2019 action game set around the Federal Bureau of Control, a secretive agency that investigates unusual events. Its central characters include Jesse Faden and her brother Dylan, whose relationship and past help shape the story.
CONTROL Resonant follows Dylan seven years after the first game. It is intended to welcome new players, but familiar characters and threats, including the Hiss, return, so the earlier game provides more context. Both games also connect to Remedy’s wider fictional universe, which includes the Alan Wake series.