Control

 Xbox One
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 479 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 345 out of 479
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 479
  3. Negative: 74 out of 479
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  1. WarkKnight
    Sep 7, 2019
    6
    Control is a good 3D Metroidvania with a likable protagonist, an enjoyable setup, interesting setting, and great music. However, it comes across as a somewhat unpolished and will probably peter-out at the halfway mark for most people. The game has a plethora of bugs and performance issues on the base Xbox One. I don't see this game really being fixed on base PS4 or Xbox One. TheControl is a good 3D Metroidvania with a likable protagonist, an enjoyable setup, interesting setting, and great music. However, it comes across as a somewhat unpolished and will probably peter-out at the halfway mark for most people. The game has a plethora of bugs and performance issues on the base Xbox One. I don't see this game really being fixed on base PS4 or Xbox One. The gameplay is awesome and the weapon mod variety has great balance and progression, but the objectives in the game are few and shallow. If the game were one-third shorter it would still feel like some gameplay content is being reused. The Metroidvania elements do create some interesting gameplay encounters but ultimately the small hallways make backtracking through the world a chore. Unfortunately, I found myself using fast travel a lot which is telling of most open-world games with a lot of padding. I won't spoil it but I found the story had a good set up but ultimately goes nowhere leaving the ending feeling unplanned. It's a good concept and I think a director cut with better performance and an alternate ending would be an easy 8/10 and Xbox Scarlett and PS5.… Expand
  2. guiletheguiles
    Jan 29, 2020
    7
    Control's very unique story, environments, battle system and atmosphere build an incredible game. This is a game that I can easily recommend to any action game fan. Even if you don't pay attention to it's ominous weird story and characters, you'll still get the most out of its gameplay and presentation. AND MY GOD, THE ART DIRECTION HERE IS JAW DROPPING!
    Control's only mistakes are found    Control's very unique story, environments, battle system and atmosphere build an incredible game. This is a game that I can easily recommend to any action game fan. Even if you don't pay attention to it's ominous weird story and characters, you'll still get the most out of its gameplay and presentation. AND MY GOD, THE ART DIRECTION HERE IS JAW DROPPING!
    Control's only mistakes are found in its unforgiving checkpoints, poor performance issues, lack of variety towards the ending and the shallow story conclusion. Nothing game breaking, but I felt like its faults kept it from being epic or even more memorable than it is.    … Expand
  3. Coldams
    Sep 16, 2019
    6
    Honestly, it pains me to write this down. I love Remedy and the games they have made over the last two decades now. I was part of the minority that actually enjoyed Quantum Break. Unfortunately, Control will be seating at the end of the podium for me. One thing to clear out, the game is beautiful, the light, the physics, the paranoia of wandering in the hallway of a forever changingHonestly, it pains me to write this down. I love Remedy and the games they have made over the last two decades now. I was part of the minority that actually enjoyed Quantum Break. Unfortunately, Control will be seating at the end of the podium for me. One thing to clear out, the game is beautiful, the light, the physics, the paranoia of wandering in the hallway of a forever changing environnement that really put you into a David Lynch nightmare. The big let down for me, the story... I have put 20+ hours in the game and I still do not CARE about what is happening or why do I do what I do. Which is one of the main reason a solo narrative game should be pushing “why should I care”. The characters are flat most of the time dull, completely oblivious about the events surrounding them, most of the time you feel like having a casual conversation with Suzan at the coffee machine behind your cubicle on a Monday morning. The only character that has a minimum of substance would be the janitor (played by Sam Lake I believe), who is colorful and mysterious enough for me to appreciate my encounter with him. But the rest is really dull and boring.

    And it pains me because I know how good of a storyteller and worldbuilder Remedy can be. The gameplay is most of the time very satisfying. But the checkpoint system coming straight from the PS2 era is a grind I’m not willing to waste time on. You die, you go back, wayyy back where you started, find the room again, run, fight again and die again to then repeat.

    The game doesn’t have a difficulty mode, so most of the time some levels can really, really be grinding. So dying and trying again will be a hell of a routine in this game. To note that the gun you’ll be using doesn’t have much “punch” to it. It doesn’t feel like a special weapon, the shooting moment aren’t that fun or dynamic, what save the fighting moment are the actual powers that you have and will enhance thorough the game.

    Now, I understand the critical response the game had, and I truly support the people who love it. I truly believe that my gamer expectation where not satisfied. Won’t be in my top games of 2019, and won’t probably give it another try.    … Expand
  4. aljirik1992
    Sep 2, 2019
    7
    Control'ьный в голову Remedy?

    Многие иронично ругаются на Valve, и на Габена в частности, что тот не знает цифры три. У Remedy всё куда "хуже"! Начиная с винтажного Alan Wake, оба их проекта не получили продолжения, и похоже Control не хочет нарушать традицию. Игра не потеряла в стиле присущем разработчикам, но на этот раз пострадала технически. Кривой липсинк и просадки даже на XBOX    Control'ьный в голову Remedy?

    Многие иронично ругаются на Valve, и на Габена в частности, что тот не знает цифры три. У Remedy всё куда "хуже"! Начиная с винтажного Alan Wake, оба их проекта не получили продолжения, и похоже Control не хочет нарушать традицию. Игра не потеряла в стиле присущем разработчикам, но на этот раз пострадала технически. Кривой липсинк и просадки даже на XBOX ONE X раздражают. Стоит ли оправдывать последнее, если геймеры могут взаимодействовать со всем окружением? Нет! Что и не даёт рекомендовать "Контроль" каждому, однако не спешите выписывать Сёме Лэйку контрольный в голову. Все остальные раздражители — намеренное желание сбить игроков с толку и дезориентировать в пространстве. Ярчайший пример — карта, что ОБЯЗАНА запутывать, ведь сделана она по лекалам ЦРУ времён холодной войны в пяти слоях. "Бессмысленный риск" - скажет большинство, "дотошный подход к мат. части" - единицы! Геймплей, история и подача изменились лишь структурно, оставив суть в пристальном самокопании не тронутой.    … Expand
  5. danderso
    Oct 25, 2019
    6
    I was absolutely torn with this game. I was a massive fan of Alan Wake and enjoyed Quantum Break but I could never really decide if I was enjoying this game or not before it abruptly ended.

    The story is gibberish for the most part. Characters are poorly written and the dialogue was terrible. Some of the game mechanics were awful which were exasperated in the really poor boss fights.    I was absolutely torn with this game. I was a massive fan of Alan Wake and enjoyed Quantum Break but I could never really decide if I was enjoying this game or not before it abruptly ended.

    The story is gibberish for the most part. Characters are poorly written and the dialogue was terrible.
    Some of the game mechanics were awful which were exasperated in the really poor boss fights.
    Graphically it was average on XBOX X, although the frame rate and performance for me seemed better than many have experienced.

    Despite that, I did play it through to the end and enjoyed some of the later powers that you were given, however, again as it was towards the end of the game before you achieved many of them, the time using them was ultimately quite brief.

    There are moments of genius scattered throughout such as the ashtray maze but my overall feeling was probably disappointment or apathy.

    Probably a 6.5 but as I expected so much more, I am dropping it a little.    … Expand
  6. kingzardoz
    Sep 6, 2019
    6
    I've seen a thread where people complain that the game is too difficult, I thought the game was way too easy. All those issues could be solved with a difficulty setting. It's very strange they decided to omit that feature considering Remedy are veterans in game development. Maybe they were over budget. The gameplay starts very strong but never evolves past using your telekinetic abilityI've seen a thread where people complain that the game is too difficult, I thought the game was way too easy. All those issues could be solved with a difficulty setting. It's very strange they decided to omit that feature considering Remedy are veterans in game development. Maybe they were over budget. The gameplay starts very strong but never evolves past using your telekinetic ability (launch) to attack everybody. They created a variety of enemies with different abilities and all of them can be easily dispatched with launch. Of the five guns, one is completely useless and another is useful in rare situations. If you only have five guns in the whole game it would be nice if all of them could be useful and fun. The level design is very well done with metroid type discovery and plenty of hidden secrets. Visually the game is stunning and the animations look very fluid and natural. I can only recommend this game if purchased on sale.… Expand
  7. ozzsoffy
    Aug 14, 2023
    7
    Finished the main story of the game 10 chapters ( I finished 14), the game looks great. Sounds awesome. The fighting mechanics is good. There are 2 main boss in the game, that are super hard. Just because of that, I will not recommend this game. The main story is not that interesting, you do it but for the reason of finishing the game. Not to finish the story. You collect stuff. I didn’tFinished the main story of the game 10 chapters ( I finished 14), the game looks great. Sounds awesome. The fighting mechanics is good. There are 2 main boss in the game, that are super hard. Just because of that, I will not recommend this game. The main story is not that interesting, you do it but for the reason of finishing the game. Not to finish the story. You collect stuff. I didn’t bother with all the reading. And it’s a lot.… Expand
  8. Joellemm
    Oct 22, 2020
    6
    I feel Remedy always let their concept artists down. The game is so stylish but misses the mark in most other areas.

    Its incredibly fun once you get to hurl objects everywhere. The physics, overall, are just fun to mess with. Sadly though, the puzzles are either incredibly easy or can be solved by just brute force. The setting is a brilliant concept. The plot offers an immediate sense    I feel Remedy always let their concept artists down. The game is so stylish but misses the mark in most other areas.

    Its incredibly fun once you get to hurl objects everywhere. The physics, overall, are just fun to mess with. Sadly though, the puzzles are either incredibly easy or can be solved by just brute force. The setting is a brilliant concept. The plot offers an immediate sense of mystery. However, the level design is never particularly accommodating to interesting discoveries or exploration and the plot quickly solves its mysteries only to give you new ones. I quickly found myself confused over what i was working towards. It certainly wasn't the protagonist's story, who is boring and uninspired to play as. The enemies have some variety, but they almost all look the same. The game even re-uses the same boss fight twice. The game's framerate drops for about 3 seconds whenever you un-pause or bring up the map, which suggests the game isn't as well optimised as it should be; especially considering i've played over 12 months after its release. The sound design and soundtrack is pretty good though!

    I'm not convinced Remedy want to make games. I feel they dream of making a "Twin Peaks"-style TV show. They'd need to figure how to write interesting characters first though. In fairness, Control is their best game to date. Its stylish and the physics are endlessly enjoyable.    … Expand
  9. brainstream
    Jan 17, 2021
    6
    A terrible map turns this game into a f*ing maze. Too many bugs! The map is often not displayed. Some dialogs lack a voice audio (some do not have subtitles).
  10. PajamaDad
    Dec 11, 2020
    5
    Painfully mediocre in many areas. Graphically flawed... Its beautiful and stylish, but grainy and muddy on base consoles.

    Level design is complex, but navigation is needlessly obtuse. Voice acting is decent, but the story is contrived drivel. Gameplay is novel, but encounters are poorly paced. I dont think Remedy really got a handle on the great ideas behind the game. I’m upset I    Painfully mediocre in many areas. Graphically flawed... Its beautiful and stylish, but grainy and muddy on base consoles.

    Level design is complex, but navigation is needlessly obtuse. Voice acting is decent, but the story is contrived drivel. Gameplay is novel, but encounters are poorly paced.

    I dont think Remedy really got a handle on the great ideas behind the game. I’m upset I paid $19.99 for this game, moreso once it was released on gamepass about a week later.    … Expand
  11. samkaz
    Dec 12, 2019
    6
    Had high expectations for this game. After Alan Wake (which was awesome years ago) I expected something new and exciting from Remedy. Annnnnd, it's not. Crazy long load times, floaty controls and a weird difficulty setting (it goes from super easy to suddenly extremely challenging) are not entirely fun. This feels like a game I played on the Gamecube (Psi-Ops) in 2004, only I had a lotHad high expectations for this game. After Alan Wake (which was awesome years ago) I expected something new and exciting from Remedy. Annnnnd, it's not. Crazy long load times, floaty controls and a weird difficulty setting (it goes from super easy to suddenly extremely challenging) are not entirely fun. This feels like a game I played on the Gamecube (Psi-Ops) in 2004, only I had a lot more fun with that game. I gave it a 6 because saying all that, it's not a terrible game; it's just not a terribly original or innovative title. And I paid the $80 bucks so I have to see it through now. The same amount for Gears of War 5, which I find myself going back to over and over again. Way more polish and fine tuning!… Expand
  12. Broyax
    May 25, 2022
    6
    Il suffit parfois de peu de choses pour transformer une citrouille en carrosse… ou presque ! ainsi un an après sa sortie initiale, Control a reçu une mise-à-jour en août 2020 qui a proposé des options d’accessibilité… à la manière d’ailleurs d’un AC Valhalla qui a fait la même chose de son côté (et davantage d’éditeurs devraient faire pareil !).

    On peut donc régler quelques paramètres    Il suffit parfois de peu de choses pour transformer une citrouille en carrosse… ou presque ! ainsi un an après sa sortie initiale, Control a reçu une mise-à-jour en août 2020 qui a proposé des options d’accessibilité… à la manière d’ailleurs d’un AC Valhalla qui a fait la même chose de son côté (et davantage d’éditeurs devraient faire pareil !).

    On peut donc régler quelques paramètres concernant la difficulté… de façon à ce que le jeu devienne (enfin) agréable à cet égard ! le jeu peut alors s’avérér beaucoup moins punitif, voire carrément une simple promenade de santé ! parce qu’après tout, je ne sais pas pour vous, mais moi, j’aime pas me faire chier dans un jeu, je veux de l’amusement avant tout ! d’autant que Quantum break proposait lui, en son temps, des niveaux de difficulté, bordel de merde !

    On peut du coup apprécier les idées (qui font penser à Prey et Half-Life… et aux films de David Lynch !) de ce jeu très intrigant et bizarre mais indéniablement dépaysant. Les combats expurgés de leur difficulté lourdingue (plus besoin de récupérer les **** pics bleus laissés par les macabés au risque de se prendre une roquette ou n’importe quoi d’autre !) font la part belle à ce mélange de télékinésie à outrance et de super flingues ; les niveaux à l’architecture étrange sont chiadés et participent à cette ambiance unique.

    Rappelons que par défaut, les ennemis sont décidément costauds et nombreux, et que la confusion permanente des combats les rendent souvent illisibles (du coup, on se fait crever la paillasse un peu trop souvent). Remedy a toujours été un développeur prétentieux qui passe et repasse plusieurs couches d’effets spéciaux et de post-traitement à n’en plus pouvoir, des particules, des transparences, de la fumée, des explosions, et du flou en veux-tu en voilà avec parfois des pièces mal éclairées ou toutes rouges, ce qui aggrave le carpharnaüm des affrontements (y compris les boss, évidemment).

    C’est que les ennemis nous balancent des machins à la gueule eux aussi et qu’en même temps, on leur balance tant qu’on peut tout ce qu’on trouve sous la main : tous ces objets en rajoutent encore au côté quasi-épileptogène des combats. A cela, on doit rajouter (encore) les nombreux ralentissements d’un jeu qui ne maintient quasiment pas vraiment ses 30 im/s… y compris sur la Xbox One X !

    Alors, quand dans un énième combat où c’est le bordel, on se fait one-shot (et pourquoi donc au fait ?) et que le « point de contrôle » où l’on est téléporté n’est pas tout près (après un long chargement évidemment) on a de la fumée… qui sort par les oreilles. Car Control ne permet de sauvegarder qu’aux « points de contrôle » débloqués et nous rebalance sans honte les mêmes ennemis sur le chemin. Une zone déjà explorée et nettoyée entraînera elle aussi de nouvelles vagues d’ennemis de toute façon ! et ce, quoi qu’il arrive.

    Mais les nouveaux réglages de difficulté permettent de lisser à sa guise tout cela, de même que le Quick Resume de la series X qui permet de court-circuiter ces points de sauvegarde limités aux points de contrôle ; d’ailleurs sur Series X, le jeu maintient ses 30 im/s imperturbablement (encore heureux !) et le jeu charge beaucoup plus vite. Par contre, pour le patch X|S, il faut repasser à la caisse… pour l’Ultimate Edition !

    Néanmoins, ayant pu finir le jeu confortablement (enfin), on apprend à l’apprécier pour son ambiance bien tarée et sa beauté intrinsèque (en dehors des combats bordéliques bien sûr). Même si l’histoire… est globalement claquée au sol. Mais l’un des DLC corrigera sans doute cela… wait & see.    … Expand
  13. BradMorgan
    Oct 22, 2020
    6
    Control is a very special game with deep storytelling and good action. However, it also fell short in terms of gameplay and worlddesign. Precisely because the developer made very clear design choices, it quickly felt repetitive and sometimes even boring to me. Along with the plot which is already very difficult, I had a hard time getting through the game and lost the fun. However, do youControl is a very special game with deep storytelling and good action. However, it also fell short in terms of gameplay and worlddesign. Precisely because the developer made very clear design choices, it quickly felt repetitive and sometimes even boring to me. Along with the plot which is already very difficult, I had a hard time getting through the game and lost the fun. However, do you like the horror/thriller vibe and do you like to piece together the story with a lot of collectables? Then this is your type of game.… Expand
  14. xxFTWxxOregon
    Dec 20, 2020
    7
    All this game does is lag all the time. I haven’t had a game lag on me this bad since who knows when. Decent game but every time I pause it lags and I wait 20 seconds for the game to catch up. Also the map never loads what the hell is wrong with this game. I want to finish it but with all the lag and lack of map. I don’t think it’s worth it. Wait one more complaint. Have the time there isAll this game does is lag all the time. I haven’t had a game lag on me this bad since who knows when. Decent game but every time I pause it lags and I wait 20 seconds for the game to catch up. Also the map never loads what the hell is wrong with this game. I want to finish it but with all the lag and lack of map. I don’t think it’s worth it. Wait one more complaint. Have the time there is no sound when they tell the story. Don’t waste your money on playing this.… Expand
  15. churros
    Jan 31, 2021
    6
    Pros:
    + interesting power-ups
    + good art direction
    + destructible environment

    Cons:
    - confusing story
    - confusing map
    - boring environments
    - boring enemies
  16. d3uzZ
    May 28, 2022
    7
    Мистическая история, окружение, боевая система и атмосфера Control создают хорошую игру. Игра которую я могу легко порекомендовать любому любителю экшенов. Если не обращать внимания на его зловещую странную историю и персонажей, вы все равно получите максимум удовольствия от игрового процесса.Мистическая история, окружение, боевая система и атмосфера Control создают хорошую игру. Игра которую я могу легко порекомендовать любому любителю экшенов. Если не обращать внимания на его зловещую странную историю и персонажей, вы все равно получите максимум удовольствия от игрового процесса.
  17. bad_taste
    May 4, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Mal etwas neues, aber mit der Zeit doch etwas eintönig geworden. Im großen und ganzen aber nicht schlecht.… Expand
  18. zezeljmare
    Jun 21, 2021
    6
    EN:
    A new game from the Remedy studio, the story has a lot of potential, but unfortunately very little is used in the main story. Too many side subjects, texts that contain the background of the main story and require a lot of time to read. Even if you read everything, the whole story will not be complete again. There are two additional DLCs, which explain a little about all the events in    EN:
    A new game from the Remedy studio, the story has a lot of potential, but unfortunately very little is used in the main story. Too many side subjects, texts that contain the background of the main story and require a lot of time to read. Even if you read everything, the whole story will not be complete again. There are two additional DLCs, which explain a little about all the events in the agency, but they are paid. Frequent repetitions of exactly the same opponents, as well as going through the same areas of the agency over and over again, are extremely frustrating. As for physics and shooting, short, brilliant! Remedy is the absolute champion in that segment. The best and most realistic shooting feeling in gaming history. The gameplay is exceptional, with many abilities providing unlimited ways to interact with objects and enemies. The design of the game is great, but at times the graphics look extremely bad, pale and blurry. There is a lack of budget. Minus the charge for the next-gen update.

    SRB:
    Nova igra iz Remedy studija, priča ima mnogo potencijala, ali nažalost veoma malo toga je iskorišćeno u main priči. Previše sporednih predmeta, tekstova koji sadrže pozadinu glavne priče i zahtevaju mnogo vremena za čitanje. Čak i ako pročitate sve, celokupna priča ponovo neće biti kompletna. Postoje dodatna dva DLC-a, koja malo objašnjavaju sva dešavanja u agenciji, ali se plaćaju. Česta ponavljanja potpuno istih protivnika, kao i prolaženje kroz iste oblasti agencije iznova i iznova, izuzetno frustriraju.Što se tiče fizike i napucavanja, kratko, brilijantno! Remedy je apsolutni šampion u tom segmentu. Najbolji i najrealističniji osećaj pucanja u gaming istoriji. Gejmplej je izuzetan, uz mnogo abilitya pruža neograničene načine interakcije sa predmetima i neprijateljima. Dizajn igre je odličan, ali na momente grafika izgleda izuzetno loše, bledo i mutno. Vidi se nedostatak budžeta. Minus za naplatu next-gen update-a.    … Expand
  19. Vishal99
    Feb 6, 2022
    6
    It had emphasis on story rather than gameplay. I didn't like few of the puzzles. I was excited at only one moment of game when the Take Control song started playing in Ashtray maze. Rest of the game was fine.
  20. Kingkaszii13
    Jan 4, 2022
    6
    Ciekawa fabuła i trzyma w napięciu, lecz po pewnym czasie zaczyna się robić lekko nudna
  21. LeicesterCityFC
    Jul 3, 2022
    7
    7.1
    게임 초반엔 기괴하고 섬뜩한 분위기가 굉장히 흥미로웠으나
    너무나 많은 텍스트 정보에 지쳤고 , 게임을 하면서 피로감까지 느꼈다.
    그나마 좋았던 점은 전투 중 타격감은 나쁘지 않았다.
  22. amandil
    Aug 13, 2023
    5
    Episode designs and story didn't appeal to me. I left without seeing the ending. Maybe I'll give it another chance in the future

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Xbox One Game of 2019
19
#19 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2019
38
#38 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 12, 2019
    80
    A stylish shooter that subverts and surprises at every turn. A little glitchy, though. [Issue#182, p.79]
  2. XboxAddict
    Sep 16, 2019
    88
    Control has that signature Remedy feel to it, from its unique combat to its completely out there narrative, something only Sam Lake could be a part of. Although the story is Control’s strongest asset, it will take a lot of concentration and thought to piece it all together, as I’ve still got many questions even after the credits have rolled. Luckily you can continue Jesse’s journey once completed, allowing you to finish up any sidequests and other activities as we wait on the upcoming DLC that will hopefully answer more questions. Welcome to the FBC Director.
    Read full review
  3. 3DJuegos
    Sep 11, 2019
    80
    Control is Remedy's most daring work. A courageous level design that encourages exploration and limits visual guides is mixed with fierce combat. In the second half, this combate can be somewhat monotonous and repetitive. Its story is neither the best nor is it told in the best way. Quite the opposite of its setting, which seduces the player with shocking scenarios and situations.
    Read full review
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