Control: A Masterclass in Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Game Design

Let’s get one thing straight: Control is not the game you think it’s going to be.

It’s weirder, scarier, and more exhilarating than you could possibly imagine. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the minds behind Max Payne and Alan Wake, Control is a game that pushes boundaries.

From its mind-bending story to its chaotic, physics-driven combat, this is a game that demands your attention and refuses to let go. If you’re looking for a game that’s equal parts cerebral and chaotic, Control delivers in spades.

Let’s break it down: the design, the mechanics, and why it’s so damn enjoyable.

The Oldest House: A Setting Like No Other

The game takes place in The Oldest House, the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). The FBC is a secretive government agency tasked with investigating and containing supernatural phenomena.

Sounds straightforward, right? Wrong.

The Oldest House is a shifting, labyrinthine structure that defies logic. Hallways rearrange themselves, rooms stretch into impossible dimensions, and the laws of physics are more like suggestions.

The design of The Oldest House is a triumph in environmental storytelling. Every corridor, every office, every bizarre containment chamber feels alive.

The Brutalist architecture is cold and imposing, but it’s also strangely beautiful. The stark, minimalist design contrasts perfectly with the chaotic, otherworldly events that unfold within its walls.

What really sets the setting apart, though, is how it integrates with the story.

The Oldest House isn’t just a backdrop—it feels like a character. It’s hostile, unpredictable, and utterly fascinating. You’ll find yourself constantly on edge, not just because of the enemies, but because the environment itself feels like it’s out to get you.

You play as Jesse Faden, a woman searching for her missing brother.

Jesse is a compelling protagonist, not just because of her personal stakes, but because of how she evolves throughout the game.

Early on, she stumbles into the role of Director of the FBC, wielding the Service Weapon, a supernatural gun that’s as mysterious as it is deadly.

The Service Weapon is just the beginning. Jesse quickly gains access to a suite of supernatural abilities, each more satisfying to use than the last.

Telekinesis lets you hurl desks, chairs, and even chunks of concrete at enemies. Levitation gives you the freedom to soar through the air, raining destruction from above.

There’s even a rapid dash ability that lets you zip around the battlefield like a superhero.

The skill tree allows you to tailor Jesse’s abilities to your playstyle. Want to be a telekinetic powerhouse? Go for it.

Prefer to focus on health and melee? You can do that too. The flexibility ensures that combat never feels stale.

The Hiss: Enemies That Keep You on Your Toes

Of course, Jesse’s powers wouldn’t mean much without worthy adversaries.

Enter The Hiss, a hostile force that has invaded The Oldest House. These red, puppet-like creatures are the remnants of people who have been corrupted by The Hiss’s influence. They’re creepy, relentless, and surprisingly intelligent.

The Hiss aren’t your typical video game enemies.

They’re strategic, adaptable, and downright terrifying. Some fire heat-seeking rockets, others can cloak themselves, and a few can even levitate and hurl objects at you with telekinesis.

The variety keeps you on your toes, forcing you to constantly rethink your approach to combat.

What makes The Hiss even more unsettling is their design. They’re humanoid but distorted, their movements jerky and unnatural. The sound design amplifies the horror—their guttural chants and distorted voices create an atmosphere of constant dread.

The combat in Control is an absolute blast.

It’s fast, fluid, and incredibly destructive. The environment is almost entirely destructible, and battles often leave entire rooms in ruins.

There’s something deeply satisfying about using telekinesis to rip a forklift out of the ground and hurl it at an enemy at 500 miles per hour.

The game encourages creativity in combat. You can use objects as weapons, shields, or even distractions.

The Service Weapon’s multiple forms add another layer of strategy. Need to take out a group of enemies? Switch to the shotgun-like mode. Facing a heavily armored foe? The sniper form has you covered.

The destructible environments aren’t just for show—they’re integral to the gameplay. You can use debris to create cover, or destroy enemy shields by hurling heavy objects at them.

The chaos of combat is a visual treat, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the aftermath of a particularly intense battle.

The Weirdness Factor

Let’s talk about the weirdness. Control is unapologetically bizarre, and that’s part of what makes it so special.

The story is filled with surreal moments that will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s not.

One minute you’re fighting off waves of Hiss, the next you’re exploring a dimension that looks like it was ripped straight out of a Salvador Dalí painting.

The game’s use of files and videos to flesh out the world is brilliant. You’ll find countless documents scattered throughout The Oldest House, each offering a glimpse into the FBC’s operations and the strange phenomena they’ve encountered.

These collectibles are essential to understanding the world and its lore. And then there’s the music.

While it’s mostly understated, it kicks into high gear during combat, adding to the intensity. There’s even a room dedicated to researching the supernatural effects of a specific song—a nod to the game’s self-awareness and sense of humor.

At its core, Control is a game about power—both literal and metaphorical. Jesse’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to harness her abilities and confront the forces threatening her world.

The game’s mechanics reinforce this theme, giving you a sense of empowerment that’s rare in modern gaming.

It’s also about balance.

The game strikes a perfect balance between action and exploration, horror and humor, chaos and control (pun absolutely intended).

It’s a game that respects your intelligence, challenging you to piece together its mysteries while keeping you engaged with its thrilling gameplay.

Take Control

Control is a game that defies expectations.

It’s weird, it’s scary, and it’s an absolute joy to play. The combination of its mind-bending story, innovative mechanics, and stunning design makes it a standout title in the action-adventure genre.

If you’re looking for a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat while also making you feel like an unstoppable force of nature, Control is it.

Just be prepared for the occasional jump scare—and maybe keep the lights on while you play.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some post-game content to tackle. Wish me luck—I’m going to need it.