Control Resonant: Shapeshifting Combat If You Play as Dylan Faden in 2026

Shapeshifting combat if you are looking for a shift in perspective arrives with the September 24, 2026, release of CONTROL Resonant, developed by Remedy Entertainment. Our team at In Game News attended Summer Game Fest: Play Days to experience the opening hour and a late-game combat arena, providing insight into the mechanical changes and narrative direction of this sequel.

CONTROL Resonant Gameplay Details from Summer Game Fest 2026

The narrative structure of CONTROL Resonant marks a clear departure from its predecessor. While the original title followed Jesse Faden entering the paranormal headquarters known as The Oldest House, this sequel begins with her brother, Dylan Faden. The opening sequence depicts Jesse visiting her sedated brother, who has been held as a prisoner and test subject within the facility. She initiates a process by plunging a vibrating dark metal rod into his chest, effectively granting him the Aberrant, a shapeshifting melee weapon provided by The Board. The Board, the extradimensional entity governing the Federal Bureau of Control, addresses Dylan directly, assigning him the role of the player character.

Upon waking, Dylan must navigate the immediate aftermath of his release. The Oldest House is shown to be on high alert with alarms active and no other personnel present. The Hiss, the alien force that threatened the Bureau in the first game, appears to have successfully breached the facility. Players encounter infected Bureau employees during the tutorial phase, which serves to introduce the core mechanics of movement, dodging, and melee engagement.

What Is the Combat System in CONTROL Resonant?

The combat system in CONTROL Resonant emphasizes player choice and mechanical specialization from the outset. Unlike the first game, where Jesse Faden’s kit evolved broadly, Dylan Faden’s progression requires mutually exclusive decisions regarding his weapon loadout. During our hands-on session, we were presented with three distinct options for the Aberrant weapon:

• Flurry: A pair of twin daggers designed for rapid attacks and high critical hit probability.
• Slash: A scythe-style weapon built for crowd control through wide-sweeping arcs.
• Slice: An axe that focuses on high single-target damage, specifically rewarding players for attacking from behind.

These choices force players to commit to specific playstyles early in the game. While other weapons can be unlocked later, the initial selection dictates how the player approaches the first encounters. This system is designed to encourage experimentation with different builds rather than relying on a singular, static approach to combat. You can find more updates on our Action Games coverage.

Remedy Entertainment CONTROL Resonant Hands-On Impressions

Moving beyond the confines of The Oldest House, the game shifts to the streets of Manhattan. The environmental design suggests that the Hiss infestation has expanded beyond the Bureau’s containment. Dylan finds the city in a state of crisis, mirroring the chaos found inside the paranormal facility. During this segment, we encountered larger enemy types characterized by oversized heads, which utilize smash-based attacks. These encounters require the player to clear specific areas to progress, often involving environmental obstacles that must be removed before the path forward opens.

Communication plays a role in the early game as well. A radio found on a fallen Bureau employee provides a contact point with FBC agent Zoe. This interaction serves to ground the player in the world, as Zoe provides direction while Dylan maintains a guarded stance regarding his identity and his connection to the ongoing events. The combination of narrative exposition and direct combat scenarios highlights the shift in tone for this entry in the series.

Does Dylan Faden Have New Powers in CONTROL Resonant?

Dylan Faden’s primary power set is tied directly to the Aberrant, the weapon implanted in his chest. This tool functions as the anchor for his combat abilities. By choosing between the Flurry, Slash, and Slice configurations, players determine how Dylan interacts with the Hiss-infected enemies. The Board’s involvement suggests that these powers are derived from the same source of paranormal influence that defined the original game, though they are specifically tailored to Dylan’s role as the new protagonist. For more technical details and industry updates, check out our Industry News section.

CONTROL Resonant Aberrant Weapon Mechanics Explained

The Aberrant acts as the central mechanic for all melee engagements. Its ability to shift between different forms is not merely a cosmetic change but a fundamental alteration of the player's combat statistics. The critical hit boost provided by the Flurry daggers, for instance, requires a different approach to enemy engagement than the positional damage bonus provided by the Slice axe. Players must manage these mechanics while navigating environments that are increasingly hostile. The Hiss-infected enemies utilize patterns that punish static play, forcing the player to utilize the dodge mechanic in conjunction with the selected weapon form to remain effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the combat system in CONTROL Resonant?

The combat system in CONTROL Resonant focuses on build-specific melee choices, allowing players to select between distinct weapons like daggers, scythes, or axes that provide mutually exclusive stat bonuses.

Does Dylan Faden have new powers in CONTROL Resonant?

Yes, Dylan Faden wields a shapeshifting melee weapon known as the Aberrant, which is granted to him by his sister Jesse and The Board at the start of the game.

When is the release date for CONTROL Resonant?

CONTROL Resonant is scheduled for release on September 24, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.