Control

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2611 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,692 out of 2611
  2. Mixed: 507 out of 2611
  3. Negative: 412 out of 2611
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ecliptically
    May 6, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (WARNING: LATER PARTS OF THE REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
    Control is the combination of story-driven writing, profound and creative controls and abilities, and suspense that keeps you always up on your feet. I can argue that the game wasn't all so stable during my play-through, but the game always makes up for those mistakes with with groundbreaking visuals and eerie atmosphere.

    Jesse Faden, while not the most empathic character or most likable, manages to add more tension to the story than most of the characters. On the contrary, each character actually seems to show a personality that can add to the feeling that the world is very much lively when the entire world is just in one location. Another thing I love about the game is its groundbreaking visuals and thoughts. The ever-so shapeshifting location of the Oldest House and the corrupted properties of the Hiss can make you ever so much ponder of the world and how to traverse it. With collectables that you may want to read, this game is near perfect in how it looks and feels in my opinion.

    The next thing I like about Control is its combat. While the variety of your enemies does leaves us wanting more and most of the boss fights seemingly too easy, the difficulty cap in this game can vary and sometimes can leave you raging as you try to figure out what is your next move and what can you do better in the fight while you wait for the game to load back to the previous checkpoint. Throughout the game, you can unlock many abilities that can help you fight your opponents in the many different and creative ways you can. I personally like to fly and throw anything I can get onto my enemies' faces. If that doesn't work well, I could just switch to the defensive side, protect myself with my shield, and use the Service Weapon as my tool to getting damage off my enemies and grab the health they drop. Speaking of the SW, this thing is a blast to use and with the 5 forms that it can possess, it allows for many more forms of fighting to become plausible. However, because of how long this game is and fast you get your abilities and weapon forms, around the last 4 hours of the game can get predictable and probably, stale.

    Finally, the story here in Control is overall brooding and powerful. The characters help the story to also retain some kind of feeling, even if our main character, Jesse, is often talking to herself all the time just to say a few sentences and do one thing. The Hiss incorporates into the story in a big way but is often lacking, resulting in some of the story to lack some value in it. The Hiss is also not that formidable or scary, or basically, memorable of being antagonists but manages to be creepy and chilling in any moment of the game and the addition of Jesse's brother to represent them allows them to appear even more eerie and "spooky".

    Control is definitely WAY better than the developer's previous game, Quantum Break, and even I thought that was a pretty good game. With breathtaking visuals, great combat, and an eerie atmosphere and story, Control manages to bring the unthinkable and the impossible into life and in one of the best ways the video game industry is able to provide, now becoming one of, if not, my most favorite games of all time.

    Story: 9.3/10
    Gameplay: 9.5/10
    Visuals: 10/10
    SERVICE WEAPON: 10/10
    Characters: 8.2/10
    Atmosphere: 9.3/10
    Enthusiasm: 7.8/10
    OVERALL: 9.3/10
    PERSONAL OPINION: 10/10    … Expand
  2. Duncs12345
    Jan 21, 2021
    8
    An interesting game however I have mixed feelings about this...
    The good; likeable protagonist, interesting concepts, puzzle orientated gameplay, can use any object in the map for battle, the real life acted videos
    The bad; the enemies and levels can be a little dull, lacks interesting boss battles, the mini map isn’t helpful in directing you. I’m not sure if the story is genius or in    An interesting game however I have mixed feelings about this...
    The good; likeable protagonist, interesting concepts, puzzle orientated gameplay, can use any object in the map for battle, the real life acted videos
    The bad; the enemies and levels can be a little dull, lacks interesting boss battles, the mini map isn’t helpful in directing you. I’m not sure if the story is genius or in trying hard to be mysterious becomes messy.    … Expand
  3. Moviegooner
    May 10, 2020
    10
    What a masterpice!!! Truly a game that I wil never forget. One the best games i ever played. Criminal that its only a 72 user rating.
  4. Nannerpus
    May 14, 2020
    9
    Fun an Amat concept for a video game. The story line was solid, had great twist and turns, and had a unique fun combat system. I only wish it was longer!!! I can’t wait for the DLC and see what it’s like. Practically perfect!
  5. Skurttish
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    If “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” had a baby, and that baby were a video game, it wouldn’t be Control, but it would smell like it when it farted.

    This game is at its best when absurdist influences make their way in—corridors are twisting, night skies are appearing in the middle of a New York building, a light switch takes you to a motel that does/doesn’t/happens to exist. These    If “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” had a baby, and that baby were a video game, it wouldn’t be Control, but it would smell like it when it farted.

    This game is at its best when absurdist influences make their way in—corridors are twisting, night skies are appearing in the middle of a New York building, a light switch takes you to a motel that does/doesn’t/happens to exist. These are memorable and unique experiences that have caused me to recommend the game to several friends.

    And the gameplay is fun, with several different strategies you can take to complete the story in terms of how you want to upgrade your Jesse. To stick it in a nutshell, it’s an FPS, except you’re a Jedi. Come on, smile. I know you can. It’s fun.

    The story was a bit too long, however. It seemed like they ran out of material, so a few of the later main story chapters are just filler. In addition, the side quests are really great when you’re tracking down some crazy item that is going to present you with a unique and innovative puzzle you have to solve in order to capture it, but not as great when it’s as simple as ‘Find the pouches of this dude’s missing squad mates.’

    Finally, the game is pretty easy. If you stay on top of upgrading your skill tree, you’re going to be just fine, and if you do what I did and max out your Jedi powers as soon as you can, you’ll one-shot most enemies until the game is 70% through.

    All in all, I give it a 9/10, and I do declare it to be one of the most memorable gaming experiences I’ve had. Remedy.........well played.

    EDIT after completing all DLC: I raised my score from a 9 to a perfect 10, and I mean it. The absurdist writing and unique level constructions combined with fun combat and great ambience outweigh the slow middle of the story, which was my only complaint. Fabulous game.    … Expand
  6. JesusRD
    May 26, 2020
    8
    Muy repetitivo el gameplays la historia no me gusta, lo bueno y que me encantó que se destruye literal todo el ambiente y lo usas como arma pero es decente para jugar no lo considero malo ni tan bueno
  7. KampCikat
    Jan 11, 2022
    7
    When I first saw this game I thought it would be a Half-Life-styled game with all the supernatural story included.
    But in the first 30 min, there were more cutscenes than actual gameplay.
    The game looks great and the locations are really realistic (in this lore) but every time when a cutscene starts the graphics look different. This kinda broke immersion for me even on max setting it was    When I first saw this game I thought it would be a Half-Life-styled game with all the supernatural story included.
    But in the first 30 min, there were more cutscenes than actual gameplay.
    The game looks great and the locations are really realistic (in this lore) but every time when a cutscene starts the graphics look different. This kinda broke immersion for me even on max setting it was really noticeable.
    Keep the controller in the player's hand or he will get bored, that's my problem with this game.    … Expand
  8. Honde
    Jul 4, 2020
    7
    Was good but nothing special. They could do so much more with the setting. At the end the story was ohhkay.
  9. CoraxReviews
    Jun 9, 2020
    8
    Control tries its best to combine an interesting story with fast-paced third-person action. For the most part, it does a really good job at making you feel like a badass with supernatural abilities. As you dig deeper into the game, however, the gameplay starts to become boring, transforming Control into a generic third-person wave shooter. Pair that with horrible frame rates and you have aControl tries its best to combine an interesting story with fast-paced third-person action. For the most part, it does a really good job at making you feel like a badass with supernatural abilities. As you dig deeper into the game, however, the gameplay starts to become boring, transforming Control into a generic third-person wave shooter. Pair that with horrible frame rates and you have a game with a promising concept that is never quite able to unleash its full potential. Control still is a lot of fun, despite the technical and mechanical issues. You have to be willing to accept a lot of frustrating moments, though.… Expand
  10. XionSoul
    May 21, 2022
    6
    La IA rompe no está balanceada y rompe toda la experiencia. Obligado a disparar como loco para que te toquen dos veces y debas comenzar de nuevo. La cámara es otro punto negativo. Tampoco ofrece nada nuevo y lo juego simplemente porque lo pagué.
  11. Sitheral
    Mar 3, 2023
    6
    I like the idea (but its not neccesarly original, its basically SPC foundation: the game) but I've got a lot of problems with the execution. Game is clunky, not always pleasant to look at, full of boring combat and just too sensational/emotional for my taste (It could use some more lowkey mystery feel/ logic behind it).
  12. tianfranto
    Jun 15, 2020
    5
    I purchased this game since it intrigued me. In addition I loved Quantum Break (even it does not have a proper ending) from Remedy and I supposed this game would be a great adventure. The first hours were intriguing even if the storytelling was very slow. After completing three areas of the game I gave up. Combat system is very tremendous for a game made in 2019. A third-person shooterI purchased this game since it intrigued me. In addition I loved Quantum Break (even it does not have a proper ending) from Remedy and I supposed this game would be a great adventure. The first hours were intriguing even if the storytelling was very slow. After completing three areas of the game I gave up. Combat system is very tremendous for a game made in 2019. A third-person shooter without a cover system does not have sense. IA is good but the fight balance is very bad. Some boss fight were almost impossible but they did not give you a sense of accomplisment when you win the fight. Spawn of enemies is too much larger and the power of the main protagonist cannot help you so much during the fights. You will always use the standard gun, since all the others aren't effective.
    Talking about graphics, the game is stunning but on my PC (Intel i7 9700K, 32 GB DDR4 2666 MHz ram, SSD M.2 and Geforce RTX 2060 Super, the loading of texture is very poor. To use ray tracing I have to lower graphical details. So much frustating.
    I played for hours but I think I will not finish the game. It's mediocre.    … Expand
  13. Veryt
    Jun 17, 2020
    10
    I love that bil lo lkek reruns you're not going to be a great day of school and I love you all for you to be a great day of school and I love you all
  14. KunderscoreKing
    May 29, 2022
    8
    I really enjoyed playing Control, it was so much fun, if I was to describe it as best as possible.

    It made me feel like a Force User in an X Files world
  15. Critiquo
    Jun 18, 2020
    8
    Remedy finally comes back with a great and intriguing experience in both story and gameplay, and creates one of the few great examples of what a great female protagonist can be when an agenda isn't behind it.
  16. Burattix54
    Jun 26, 2020
    8
    The gameplay and graphics are good, but not perfectly polished. Some sections are, however, absolutely perfect, and feel great to play through. If you played it, you know what I'm talking about...

    The story isn't that great, but the best thing about this game is definetly it's setting and lore, that you get to discover and explore piece by piece. Never have I been exited to find the    The gameplay and graphics are good, but not perfectly polished. Some sections are, however, absolutely perfect, and feel great to play through. If you played it, you know what I'm talking about...

    The story isn't that great, but the best thing about this game is definetly it's setting and lore, that you get to discover and explore piece by piece. Never have I been exited to find the next document or secret zone.    … Expand
  17. Pieckenhagen4
    Jun 19, 2020
    7
    Pro's:
    - Combats
    - Character powers
    - Maps well designed

    Con's:
    - Story a bit confusing
    - FPS dropping
  18. ADCT800
    Jul 1, 2020
    9
    Nice graphics (a bit dark), fluid gameplay, weird story. I enjoyed getting the Platinum for this game.
  19. garygreen
    Sep 13, 2020
    10
    the great game i play,the gracphic is great and beatuy and the great soundtrack
  20. MohammadBAghri
    Jun 27, 2020
    9
    This text does not contain spoilers
    And that's just a short review, not all parts of the film, and it's just a summary.
    The best title of 2019. Control game can be a game with a complete story, attractive gameplay, exemplary moments and anything that a game needs to be addressed as a unique game. The game controller is also good in terms of characterization and maximizes the appeal of    This text does not contain spoilers
    And that's just a short review, not all parts of the film, and it's just a summary.
    The best title of 2019.
    Control game can be a game with a complete story, attractive gameplay, exemplary moments and anything that a game needs to be addressed as a unique game.
    The game controller is also good in terms of characterization and maximizes the appeal of the game so that you will not get tired of experiencing this title at all.    … Expand
  21. Zaidanee
    Jul 19, 2020
    8
    Amazing gameplay. Confusing story that I cannot remember. But fun and challenging. I wish they added difficulty level control, because it was difficult form me to finish it
  22. Lotex
    Aug 28, 2022
    8
    I really enjoyed this game when I played it the first time at release and a few days ago I decided to finally play the two DLCs and what can I say: The first one felt a bit harder than the main game and the second DLC involves Alan Wake, another Remedy gam that I really enjoyed, so they're great in my book

    As for the cons, there weren't too many for me, mostly of cosmetical nature, but    I really enjoyed this game when I played it the first time at release and a few days ago I decided to finally play the two DLCs and what can I say: The first one felt a bit harder than the main game and the second DLC involves Alan Wake, another Remedy gam that I really enjoyed, so they're great in my book

    As for the cons, there weren't too many for me, mostly of cosmetical nature, but on thing that I noticed on both the PS4 as well das the PS5 version was that I almost always had half a second of lag when I closed the inventory/missions screen.
    The biggest flaws for me however were the lighting as well as some effects. Especially floodlights were way too bright while other parts of the game were way too dark plus the smoke screen effect of some enemies was pretty annoying, but other than that it was great.    … Expand
  23. Unkn
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Это рулвлввлыдыдыжфдфдыьыбцб просто крутая ишра клвлвлвллыдывдвбуцььцьцьцуву… Expand
  24. ZzjimbozZ
    Jun 22, 2020
    7
    Story 7/10
    Gameplay 8/10
    Graphics 8/10

    This game good overall, solid combat and visual style
  25. Kwrb1976
    Feb 9, 2021
    3
    This games boring and it tries to keep you motivated to keep playing but it fails at it to even start to understand what is going on you have to read collectibles, I know other games do that but they don’t make you read every single collectible to understand what is going on, the shooting is also terrible. But it is kinda cool to use telekinesis and fly around but that is it
  26. PapiChurro
    Feb 9, 2021
    7
    I tried Control out during its free release on PS+ and after playing through about 80% of it's content I think I'm finished with it. What started out as a really strong thiller/horror that had me hooked into the story, slowly eroded over time into a Weird Sci-Fi that I wasn't unsatisfied with but wasn't expecting. The story was great up until its abrupt end. The level design was reallyI tried Control out during its free release on PS+ and after playing through about 80% of it's content I think I'm finished with it. What started out as a really strong thiller/horror that had me hooked into the story, slowly eroded over time into a Weird Sci-Fi that I wasn't unsatisfied with but wasn't expecting. The story was great up until its abrupt end. The level design was really well crafted, I was constantly awestruck at how well the team took urban offices and pushed their architecture into something that shaped the mood perfectly. The soundtrack was masterfully done and had all the flavor that comes with Weird Sci-Fi cinema like Arrival. The combat design felt simple and engaging without feeling stale, and I am a personal fan of one-difficulty method as it makes me feel confident that the game is perfectly designed with intent.

    Where this all went wrong for me was the introduction of the levitation mechanic as it became painfully obvious that the grounded Thriller/Horror genre was gone and what I was playing was just another sci-fi shooter. What finally tipped me over the edge of no longer wanting to play was the inevitable platforming gameplay that arose in the Foundation DLC.

    Everything that the game had built was replaced with a bland environment filled with a platforming playstyle that the game can't support due to the tedious speed and nature of levitation. After a few hours of clearing through black Astral blocks in a void-world of slow Mary Poppins drifting I realized I haven't even finished 1 of the 4 objectives and I wasn't having fun at all. So I returned to the Old House and finished out my time in the Investigations DLC and then hung up my I.D. card. Overall I feel my playthroufh ends in mediocrity. I would celebrate the studio for the attempt as it was good but not great all the way through. I'm looking forward to more of their work.    … Expand
  27. RockHobbit
    Dec 2, 2020
    3
    I really tried to like this game but there are just so many times this game leaves me stuck with no clues or direction. For my first 20 hours it seems like 90% of my time is just wandering around looking for what I should be doing. The map is terribly confusing so even when I think I know where I should be I can't find it. If you like a game where you backtrack a ton and have to figureI really tried to like this game but there are just so many times this game leaves me stuck with no clues or direction. For my first 20 hours it seems like 90% of my time is just wandering around looking for what I should be doing. The map is terribly confusing so even when I think I know where I should be I can't find it. If you like a game where you backtrack a ton and have to figure things out without any bit of direction this is your thing. On a positive note, the graphics look great!… Expand
  28. Equevedo86
    Oct 4, 2020
    10
    GREAT GRAPHICS! Maybe ahead of it's current generation. Story is great and the odd play makes it awesome
  29. MohamedMzk
    Jun 22, 2020
    6
    This game has alot of good things in it but there are more things that spoil the fun for the players Idk if this is an "only ps4 game" am playing it with my ps4 slim. - The downframe is something u should get use to if you want to play it. Every time u pause the game and resume it starts to glitch and its very annoying and also when there is many enemies or action.
    - The quality and the    This game has alot of good things in it but there are more things that spoil the fun for the players Idk if this is an "only ps4 game" am playing it with my ps4 slim. - The downframe is something u should get use to if you want to play it. Every time u pause the game and resume it starts to glitch and its very annoying and also when there is many enemies or action.
    - The quality and the graphic is good but sometimes for some reason it become a ps2 quality. The game allow you to break and destroy many things around you but not the stupid lightness that **** ur eyes i really hate that.
    - The map. The most annoying thing in the game maybe im a retard and if i am, surely theres many like me that spend more time searching for the place of the quest than accually playing it The map dosnt show you anything not even the level you are in and in this type of desgin you really need it. - the difficulty is also a big problem there is no chosing every gets the same difficulty And sometimes the game become very hard in a very stupid way. And when that happend you will die alot and the checkpoint system doesnt help it one bit. If you played it you will understand me If you didnt trust me you will get very pissed from me like i did. - the story didnt intrest me i had a felling its **** but idk maybe its ok.
    - the game reminds me of infamous very much maybe the game didnt make it to be like infamous but the gameplay in it sure does.
    Its really good and the best thing in the game The abilities you get through the story and the quests keep you intrested in it become nothing else does. So there is no boring in combat. its very enjoyable.
    So Control is a good game truly ngl but the negatives in it makes u think of deleting the game at least one time in 1hr.
    Thats why i am giving its a 6 and i hated it.
    The sad thing is those problems can be fixed with a patch or something and idk why they didnt fix it.    … Expand
  30. kiropl
    Jul 21, 2020
    6
    A game with a lot of wasted potential. The first minutes are looking to be amazing; the game gives the feeling that the place we are in is not an ordinary office building and hides dark secrets.

    Unfortunately gameplay turns the game into the next "god of war". After receiving the first weapon and skill, the game is that we are thrown into arenas with opponents. Arenas appear in random    A game with a lot of wasted potential. The first minutes are looking to be amazing; the game gives the feeling that the place we are in is not an ordinary office building and hides dark secrets.

    Unfortunately gameplay turns the game into the next "god of war". After receiving the first weapon and skill, the game is that we are thrown into arenas with opponents. Arenas appear in random places on the map and if we haven't fought for too long, the game will force the player to fight in the next room. This brakes the atmosphere of mystery and becomes tiring after a while.    … Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best PS4 Game of 2019
8
#8 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
40
#40 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 63
  3. Negative: 1 out of 63
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 25, 2019
    90
    Impactful gunplay bolstered by a telekinetic twist, and a mystery you’ll be turning over for a long time afterwards. Welcome to the Oldest House, Director. [Issue#167, p.79]
  2. VG247
    Sep 18, 2019
    80
    The writing, direction, and performances are consistently brilliant. This is Remedy at the peak of its game. Control feels like a company rediscovering itself, waking from a long slumber. Remedy’s legs work as intended once more, the vestiges of sleep paralysis a distant memory.
    Read full review
  3. Quarter to Three
    Sep 17, 2019
    100
    I don’t want to use the word masterpiece lightly, but what else do you call the combination of gleefully chaotic gameplay with earnest storytelling in a setting as refreshingly unique as Bioshock? What else do you call a combat system that goes so far beyond the simple act of shooting a gun without drilling down into a set of intricate menus and complicated controls? What else do you call darkly malevolent horror that doesn’t feel like it was cribbed from someplace else? What else do you call the crowning achievement of a studio with a unique voice, an uneven track record, and 25 years of experience? If there’s a better word to describe what Remedy has achieved with Control, I can’t think of it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »