Control

 PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1505 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 995 out of 1505
  2. Mixed: 273 out of 1505
  3. Negative: 237 out of 1505

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  1. grungebob
    Mar 16, 2022
    9
    Show up late to the show, but this game is really good. Now I understand why people were giving it GOTY vibes for it. Some of the levels were above and beyond anything I had played before. Hopefully more the same comes from future development from Remedy.
  2. Deadpul
    Nov 17, 2019
    9
    I am yet to finish the game, but so far I have been enjoying it a lot and I can say it is exactly what I expected it to be.

    It is one of the most innovative games to be released this year in my opinion. I don't understand all the average or negative opinions, considering all the titles that got released so far, but anyway. It's got a lot of action, explorations, diversity, some    I am yet to finish the game, but so far I have been enjoying it a lot and I can say it is exactly what I expected it to be.

    It is one of the most innovative games to be released this year in my opinion. I don't understand all the average or negative opinions, considering all the titles that got released so far, but anyway.

    It's got a lot of action, explorations, diversity, some decent RPG elements. A lot of freedom which, if not available in the beginning of the game, is given to you at some point. The story is interesting and confusing. It is one of the prettiest games to be made and not only that, it contains complex scenes and surroundings that well present the spirit of the game. It is dark and almost scary, but up to a comfortable point. Which is the case with most of Remedy`s games.

    I think the game easily deserves at least a 8 out of 10. It may have issues when it comes to story, gameplay, its technical side etc, but it surely is unique enough to ignore its negatives.    … Expand
  3. strangermoon
    Sep 27, 2019
    9
    not the max Payne 1 level but closest one as intend to be. x files payne and story telling again shows with new techncs and most destructable crazy physcs on any game. it felt like akira movie style to when you get crazy ablties but still remains guns to 1st piorty have guns like dead space even. some times fees too lineer some time feels as portal level. enemies here msotly genericnot the max Payne 1 level but closest one as intend to be. x files payne and story telling again shows with new techncs and most destructable crazy physcs on any game. it felt like akira movie style to when you get crazy ablties but still remains guns to 1st piorty have guns like dead space even. some times fees too lineer some time feels as portal level. enemies here msotly generic solders with not best ai but have still enough to fun. story of course xfiles lost kinda even have tapes like lost but dialog not the best here.… Expand
  4. skeith
    Feb 8, 2020
    9
    The developers of Alan Wake once again surprised me with another masterpiece. Thanks. Love the weird story and awesome gameplay, but I really dislike the overly maze-like map.
  5. Umberto
    Nov 9, 2021
    9
    Not for everyone.
    Control is a great game, very clever writing, compelling and fascinating story and good acting. It is full of ideas and Remedy basically created a whole mythology. I realize that not everyone will like how the story is told: the first 3/4 hours are a continuos "WTF is happening here" and to get an understanding of the Bureau and the plot it is necessary to read and    Not for everyone.
    Control is a great game, very clever writing, compelling and fascinating story and good acting. It is full of ideas and Remedy basically created a whole mythology. I realize that not everyone will like how the story is told: the first 3/4 hours are a continuos "WTF is happening here" and to get an understanding of the Bureau and the plot it is necessary to read and listen to every document in-game. This is not a linear plot like most adventure games (e.g. the Last of Us or the Tomb Raiders).
    If you are not worried by a complicated plot and like movies like Tenet, Memento, A scanner Darkly... this is the game for you-    … Expand
  6. ultraviper
    Jul 3, 2020
    9
    The gameplay is good but it isn't anything special or revolutionary. The setting and the story however, are superb. I'm a fan of shows like The X-Files and Fringe and this game has a very similar feel. Usually in games I just pass over all the dumb little audio logs/journal pages/codex files etc. that are littered everywhere. But in this game I actually sought them out. The setting is justThe gameplay is good but it isn't anything special or revolutionary. The setting and the story however, are superb. I'm a fan of shows like The X-Files and Fringe and this game has a very similar feel. Usually in games I just pass over all the dumb little audio logs/journal pages/codex files etc. that are littered everywhere. But in this game I actually sought them out. The setting is just that good.… Expand
  7. bonzo
    Sep 19, 2019
    9
    If you enjoy X-Files, Alan Wake, SCP Foundation, or Legion, then this will be right up your alley. The story and the lore surrounding it are interesting and engaging, characters are unique, and there's tons of details strewn about within the game world. Navigating and combat can be a chore sometimes, but not a dealbreaker. A high-quality gem from Remedy.
  8. Karmazyn83
    Oct 7, 2019
    9
    Control....will take over all your free time so you could finish it and love it just like I did.

    I would lie if I said that I have even a brief idea of what is going on it this game. I am confused. I collect documents, tapes and try not to miss anything but I still do not have any clue of what is going on. I have decided not to collect any intel as it made game more confusing.    Control....will take over all your free time so you could finish it and love it just like I did.

    I would lie if I said that I have even a brief idea of what is going on it this game. I am confused. I collect documents, tapes and try not to miss anything but I still do not have any clue of what is going on.

    I have decided not to collect any intel as it made game more confusing. Unfortunately I do not own RTX card so can't marvel ray tracing at its best. I play game on GTX 1080 at 1080p at the downstairs 65 inch Sony 1080p TV (through STEAM link) and game looks superb. I cant even imagine how better it would looked like with RTX lightning effects.

    The environments, characters, soundtrack and all amazing particle effects. When you start shooting broken glass, documents, chunks of walls fly everywhere. When explosives goes off the are is lit and more amazing particle effects fall and bounce off the floor. I intentionally do not aim direct at the target but fire whole magazine everywhere just to create more havoc. It looks and sounds amazing.

    I also like all the special powers. With fully upgraded telekinesis skill I am able to throw forklifts, rip huge chunks of the concrete pillars and launch it towards enemies. The skill is great. The same can be said about levitation. Hermiona would be proud. The levitation looks so cool. Remedy has created something truly unique and special. Game is fabulous !

    I might have no idea what is going on for most of the time but OMG, do I enjoy every minute of it.

    Step into shoes of intriguing and wonderfully voiced Jesse Faden and try to make sense out of the story. Trapped inside Federal Bureau of Control you fight with Hiss and try to rescue your brother. All of this is a very confusing background to a spectacular third person shooter.

    Pros
    -Ray tracing support (so I have heard)
    - graphics
    - shooting
    - setting
    - telekinetic super powers

    Cons
    - confusing story
    -what is going on again    … Expand
  9. sft
    Feb 14, 2022
    9
    8.75 • A truly imaginative and creative game spoiled only by some poor choices regarding combat.
  10. Razark9
    Nov 28, 2020
    9
    This is by far one of the best of games 2019 in my opinion and it's a MUST-PLAY if you're into supernatural games or the SCP universe. It's very clear this game was inspired by the SCP universe and if you like delving into the anomalies of the SCPs you'll be very intrigued by Control. I'll be listing some Pros and Cons.
    Pros:
    + Super nice graphics + Awesome physics system and    This is by far one of the best of games 2019 in my opinion and it's a MUST-PLAY if you're into supernatural games or the SCP universe. It's very clear this game was inspired by the SCP universe and if you like delving into the anomalies of the SCPs you'll be very intrigued by Control. I'll be listing some Pros and Cons.
    Pros:
    + Super nice graphics
    + Awesome physics system and destructible environments
    + Fun gameplay, combat and abilities. I can't stress this one, enough.
    + Interesting environment and world and mysteries which actually leads me to delve into collectibles and what happens on the projectors and TVs inside the game
    + Some pretty surprising moments.

    Cons:
    - Useless and hard to navigate map.
    - Pacing
    - AI's being a little dumb at times.

    I still think this game was absolutely worth the price and a very solid game.    … Expand
  11. Sjalka
    Aug 28, 2019
    9
    In my opinion, this is a very good story .. i mean game. I love the style, the sound design, the amazing use of colour, lights and shadows. And for that .. this is an amazing game indeed.

    What i do not like so much is - at least on my end - very slow loading textures sometimes, resulting in extremely blurry graphics at times .. which makes the game look genuinely 2004. the VERY    In my opinion, this is a very good story .. i mean game. I love the style, the sound design, the amazing use of colour, lights and shadows. And for that .. this is an amazing game indeed.

    What i do not like so much is - at least on my end - very slow loading textures sometimes, resulting in extremely blurry graphics at times .. which makes the game look genuinely 2004.

    the VERY inconsistent character design .. wish some characters being amazing in both modelling, mimics and behaviour/animation .. others looking like they belong to another game, a much older one. Sadly, the protagonist herself is one of the models that (in my opinion) is rather one of the bad models (face design - she just looks very non emotional, static and lifeless) ... all the while Emily looks amazing with MUCH better facial structure and expression.

    Run/Jump courses ... this seriously breaks immersion with me. While i like the shiny marble surfaces and abstract design - it just takes me straight out of the creepy

    Some game mechanics are not well enough documented, especially the crafting part (if you can call it that) - in fact .. the crafting part feels very much like it was an afterthought.

    The AI - not very good. quality over quantity would be preferred, also better balancing. I would have MUCH preferred not to have enemies literally spawn on top of me sometimes .. and also .. some "bosses" seem to play dirty with spawning basic mobs all over the place.

    But since i value atmosphere and storytelling over almost anything in a game .. it still is a 9/10 for me .. for someone that looks more at the gameplay side and not the story ... well, it might just be average    … Expand
  12. KaaloFin
    Aug 30, 2019
    9
    Control is a beautiful game in terms of art direction and graphics. It is supernatural, but feels real. Grounded in to reality by the brutalistic architecture and other mundane aspects of the world. The story is wonderfully weird and there are some really fun characters (like Ahti) that make me smile. Loved exploring and finding weird stuff hidden from the beaten path. Can't control myControl is a beautiful game in terms of art direction and graphics. It is supernatural, but feels real. Grounded in to reality by the brutalistic architecture and other mundane aspects of the world. The story is wonderfully weird and there are some really fun characters (like Ahti) that make me smile. Loved exploring and finding weird stuff hidden from the beaten path. Can't control my excitement for more content (through DLC's).

    Played with 2070 Super - card, on an SSD and faced no serious frame rate dips or other visual glitches. RTX On.    … Expand
  13. CptAhnungslos
    Dec 11, 2020
    9
    Take Control!
    My Game of the Year (2020, I´m late to the Party).
    I came for the graphics, had to try out my new RTX Card.
    But I stayed for the fun gameplay, the "X-Files" vibe atmosphere and I completely lost it when Ahti gave me his Walkman. Take Control!
  14. Sin2x
    May 1, 2020
    9
    Old-school gaming at its finest, Remedy does not disappoint. I wish Resident Evil 3 remake was done by them, it woud have been so much better.
  15. tyr8338
    Feb 10, 2021
    9
    Good gameplay, descent graphics, terrible map and a somewhsat interesting but too convoluted story. Still a good shooter.
  16. Auger
    Aug 28, 2019
    9
    While everyone **** about rtx and egs, this game is actually pretty good.
    Don't expect very deep plot from it, but gameplay-wise it's awesome.
  17. VmsCritic
    Jan 26, 2020
    9
    I was constantly surprised by how original and immersive this game design, storytelling, landscape, cinematography this game has. This game took the immersive games and storytelling to another level, outperforming easily a lot of movies. I really hope REMEDY can bring more content and games like this, It's amazing. The combat was also great, balanced combat and difficulty, challengingI was constantly surprised by how original and immersive this game design, storytelling, landscape, cinematography this game has. This game took the immersive games and storytelling to another level, outperforming easily a lot of movies. I really hope REMEDY can bring more content and games like this, It's amazing. The combat was also great, balanced combat and difficulty, challenging bosses. The skills from Jesse are badass! You can basically fly, dash and throw anything at the enemies. I really wish the movie industry see the high potential of this game becoming a movie. Amazing surprise !!!… Expand
  18. 4ortik
    Sep 2, 2019
    9
    +
    Игра очень хорошо сделана со стороны окружения.
    Разрушаемость это красота. Мрачный геймплей. Приятная мимика лица. Главный персонаж, который не молчит!!! Сверхспособности в совокупности с левитацией превращают игру в наслаждение. Взмываешь в небо и раскидываешь ящики во врагов или врагов во врагов. Под конец оружием почти не пользовался. Огромное пространство для изучения, что    +
    Игра очень хорошо сделана со стороны окружения.
    Разрушаемость это красота.
    Мрачный геймплей.
    Приятная мимика лица.
    Главный персонаж, который не молчит!!!
    Сверхспособности в совокупности с левитацией превращают игру в наслаждение. Взмываешь в небо и раскидываешь ящики во врагов или врагов во врагов. Под конец оружием почти не пользовался.
    Огромное пространство для изучения, что вдоль горизонтальной плоскости но и вертикальной.

    -
    Мы играем не за спецназ а за "простого" человека, получаем низкий процент попадания в противников.
    Очень запутанный сюжет игры. Я прошел игру и Я не вкурсе кто это или что это внутри головы находится у персонажа.
    Очень много текстовых документов. По началу это радует. Когда половина текста скрыта, в голове дописываешь, додумываешь. Но, под конец идут разные отчеты, письма сумасшедших. И это уже начинает раздражать.
    Беготня по одним и тем же локациям, по причине поэтапного открытия доступов и возможностей персонажа.
    Скомканный конец игры.    … Expand
  19. Juniorsp
    Nov 4, 2020
    9
    Excelente história, principalmente para qu m gosta de ficção científica no estilo Arquivo X. Jogando com Ray Tracing ativado a sensação é que está se jogando um game de nova geração, gráficos sensacionais acompanhando de trilha sonora bem trabalhada.
  20. Kristoff_PL
    Sep 12, 2021
    9
    Overall great underrated game !!!
    Alan Wake taken to next Atmospheric level !!!
    Good gun fights, powers and levitation!
    Great to play on keyboard + mouse
  21. Soxwin7
    Aug 27, 2019
    9
    This game is simply amazing on a good pc setup. Just wow! This is game of the year material
    Right here. I’m the kind of person who gets bored with games easily and just moves on to trying the next new thing, but not with this one. This game grabs you and doesn’t let go. Not sure why some on here gave it anything below an 8. Maybe they are used to Fortnite?
  22. komplik
    Aug 28, 2019
    9
    It is really wierd place to explore, game have very specific feel and I like i a lot. It plays very well and lot of collectibles everywhere to learn about of location and story.
    Game looks really great, nice office building representation combined with abstract locations. I like all those paranormal abilities and game mechanics.
    Ray Tracing makes game absolutely different, full of    It is really wierd place to explore, game have very specific feel and I like i a lot. It plays very well and lot of collectibles everywhere to learn about of location and story.
    Game looks really great, nice office building representation combined with abstract locations. I like all those paranormal abilities and game mechanics.

    Ray Tracing makes game absolutely different, full of realistic details. Graphics with RT on is another level of player experience. It even perfroms very well with DLSS which do not make game too blurry. Only indirect diffuset lighting do some wierd artifacts especially on light colored surfaces.    … Expand
  23. MrSchipunov
    Jul 31, 2020
    9
    Control is a technical achievement as well as being a love letter to the oldschool games that don't hold your hand. The setting and gameplay mix perfectly to create an experience you will not forget.
  24. esfumato
    Nov 13, 2019
    9
    Bad performance unless you turn to mid graphics.
    Great Gameplay, Great Level Design, Great characters, One of the best action games of 2019.
  25. NanoThunderGod
    Mar 21, 2020
    9
    I played control because I got it on a sale. I wanted to play it since it was from the developers of Alan Wake, one of my favorite games for the Xbox 360. I was not disappointed, the game has a great story and characters since the beginning. It is a must have if you like Action Horror games.
  26. Skaamit
    Sep 5, 2020
    9
    Maybe it the Game of the Year for me.

    It's a good and interesting game with some problems. Visual and audio aspects are the most strong sides. An environment is wonderful, beautiful and fascinating to explore. I so like the general mood, the freaking atmosphere of tension, pressure, uncertainty and this new world created by «Remedy». The soundtrack is a pretty ambient, places that work    Maybe it the Game of the Year for me.

    It's a good and interesting game with some problems. Visual and audio aspects are the most strong sides. An environment is wonderful, beautiful and fascinating to explore. I so like the general mood, the freaking atmosphere of tension, pressure, uncertainty and this new world created by «Remedy». The soundtrack is a pretty ambient, places that work well with the pressure atmosphere of the game. A shooting is not very good, but a mix of fire and abilities is great gameplay with a pleasant dynamic. Well, I can describe the game like a stylish souls like game with a gun – the main character have not a lot of health and enemies kill her very fast, especially in close combat. And one more – extra materials (notes and other) is good here.

    I had a great pleasure on this week. Thank you my dear Finnish game developers.    … Expand
  27. Unforgiven99
    Nov 3, 2019
    9
    Sometimes missions take too long .
    but other than than this is a really worthy game . very well done by Remedy
  28. SilverOrlov
    Mar 5, 2020
    9
    This game is a "picture". Not an action movie, not a story book, but a picture, that shows us an unusual and mysterious place, with its secrets and changing environment. Some paranormal things and events and at the same time it does not forget to treat the visitor of this place with dangerous and unknown enemies. Often you can hear the complaints of players that there is no plot or that itThis game is a "picture". Not an action movie, not a story book, but a picture, that shows us an unusual and mysterious place, with its secrets and changing environment. Some paranormal things and events and at the same time it does not forget to treat the visitor of this place with dangerous and unknown enemies. Often you can hear the complaints of players that there is no plot or that it is excessively obscure, confused, paranormal. But the problem with these players is that they "only see the top of the iceberg." This game has a plot and a story that really has a very unstable shape like a simple long stick, this plot can be seen and almost completely understood if you are more attentive to the game than to a simple ordinary shooter. And even so, the cornerstone of the game is not in the plot, but in architecture, atmosphere, light design ... Control ... the situation in the building, key points, objects of power and so on.
    Well, for those who are especially persistent, they have notes, correspondence, recordings on a voice recorder, video tapes.
    I really want to see a sequel that would either put "all the points in place" or give an open but adequate ending to the whole story.
    This game for me is a "Magnum opus" of Remedi studio .    … Expand
  29. philzlz
    Sep 1, 2019
    9
    One of the best action games of this year with the most spectacular implementation of ray tracing yet. While the fighting mechanics with its same enemy types became repetitive near the end game the story will keep you on edge. I wasn't particularly impressed by the trailers of Control but couldnt stop playing once i started the game. The FBC and all of its secrets and collectible documentsOne of the best action games of this year with the most spectacular implementation of ray tracing yet. While the fighting mechanics with its same enemy types became repetitive near the end game the story will keep you on edge. I wasn't particularly impressed by the trailers of Control but couldnt stop playing once i started the game. The FBC and all of its secrets and collectible documents are one of the most interesting locations i have visited in a game. This is Remedy in its old form.… Expand
  30. sldbd
    Aug 30, 2019
    9
    Short:

    In my opinion Control can be a real piece of Art, if you are into these kind of Games. It manages to balance story and gameplay just right for its purposes and delivers a truly immersive experience, if you can attach yourself to its genre. If not leave it or refund it. its one of those games that you either love or hate, i believe. In either case a 6.6 at the time of writing    Short:

    In my opinion Control can be a real piece of Art, if you are into these kind of Games. It manages to balance story and gameplay just right for its purposes and delivers a truly immersive experience, if you can attach yourself to its genre. If not leave it or refund it. its one of those games that you either love or hate, i believe. In either case a 6.6 at the time of writing doesnt do it justice. its a well executed concept, although its hungry and will make your rig sweat.

    in Detail:

    Control is a Game with a weird Story. For the better part of your playthrough it will be confusing and thats what is was deliberately made to be. The plot line, the ever-shifting environment, the lack of evident explanation or guidance. Slowly you will learn more about the Bureau, your Characters purpose, motives and origin and what the **** is happening in this odd place.

    The Gameplay is enjoyable but not strong enough to carry the game, if youre not bringing an affinity for the Genre (Soft Sci-fi/Mystery). The telekinesis abilities remind me a lot of force unleashed just with a better physics engine. After completing the main plot I for my part am still fascinated by them, mainly because the more you progress the better you can rely on them. I rarely use the Gun anymore. The Gunplay is only on average maybe below, but thats not the reason im into this game. The bosses can be challenging when underestimated, but thats no competition to real boss fights, like in for example soulsbourne games. The Enemies are repetitive, but everything else wouldnt be story cohesive.

    The Atmosphere created is absolutely great, although from what i read you will need to have pretty good specs to fully taste how this game is meant to be played. I played it maxed out on 2k and found that through the exceptional use of lightning (even without ray tracing), particles, detailed mapdesign and physics i could really immerse myself into the environment.

    Additionally there has been put great effort into writing all those memos/audio tapes/Clips, that can be discovered around the map. In most games you get the feeling those were just placed as random fillers and didnt get much attention in the development process. Here they are mostly entertaining in addition of being a crucial part in understanding the story as a whole piece by piece a little bit better.

    What i dont get about reviewers ranting on this game, is the fact, that they are obviously not the targeted group of gamers this game was developed/written for. If youre not into exploration dont buy subnautica, if youre not into blunt Shooters dont buy DOOM, if youre not into story driven games and/or mystery as a genre dont buy Control.
    Remedy games have pretty much always been strongly story focused. Alan Wake, Quantum Break, Max Payne relied for the most part on an immersive Story. Those Games are "one time playthroughs" and thats it and only as that they deserve to be judged. At least in my opinion. A product is not to be judged as what you want or expect it to be, but what it was meant to be. You dont go into a Starbucks ordering coffee, only to go on a rant on how **** this kebab tastes.    … Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PC Game of 2019
14
#14 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019
82
#82 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 28, 2020
    80
    An audio-visual action banquet that will entertain you with physics and flirting with the supernatural. The story could have been better, the enemy line-up can be quite monotonous towards the end, but the great atmosphere overcomes these shortcomings. And most importantly, the gameplay is great. [Issue#298]
  2. Giant Bomb
    Oct 22, 2019
    100
    Control feels like Remedy firing on all cylinders, resulting in a smart and sensational action-adventure.
    Read full review
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 11, 2019
    83
    Control takes a while to get in gear, but overall it’s one of the most memorable experiences of the year. [Issue#240, p.36]
See all critic reviews »