Remedy reinvents Control formula. Game Awards 2025 trailer revealed Control Resonant launching 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam/Epic), Mac – starring Jesse Faden’s brother Dylan seven years post-Oldest House with melee shapeshifting Aberrant weapon replacing gunplay.
Creative director Mikael Kasurinen calls it sibling to original Control, not sequel – newcomers welcome through self-contained paranatural crisis. Annapurna co-finances/co-produces as Remedy self-publishes, expanding connected universe alongside Alan Wake while standing alone narratively.
Core Departures
| Element | Control (2019) | Resonant (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | Jesse Faden | Dylan Faden |
| Setting | Oldest House | Warped Manhattan |
| Combat | Service Weapon (guns) | Aberrant (melee) |
| Scope | Linear structure | Expansive playground |
Dylan Faden’s Arsenal
New protagonist wields:
- Aberrant Weapon: Crude transforming melee (lightsaber-esque)
- Supernatural Abilities: Push-forward combos
- Build Customization: Weapon + power synergy
- Movement Focus: Nimble traversal integral to combat
Kasurinen emphasizes ‘proactive chase-down combat’ blending Jedi Survivor-style melee/Force powers with Control DNA – enemies match player mobility across warped environments.
Manhattan Transformed
Hiss escapes Oldest House, twisting Manhattan:
- Reality-warping streets
- Supernatural factions
- Side quests/exploration
- Not full open-world, ‘playground of choice’
Remedy Universe Position
Strategic placement expands connected universe:
- Self-contained for newcomers
- References Control/Alan Wake/FBC: Firebreak
- Annapurna film/TV adaptations parallel
- Post-Firebreak multiplayer recovery
Development Context
Control 2 codenamed Heron progressed:
- 2022: Sequel officially greenlit
- Nov 2025: Resonant trademark filed
- Dec 2025: Game Awards reveal
- 2026: Multiplatform launch
Platforms Confirmed
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)
- Mac (Steam, App Store)
FAQs
Do I need Control 1?
Remedy designed as standalone sibling. Story accessible without prior games.
Melee replacing guns completely?
Aberrant weapon primary with supernatural abilities. Lightsaber/Force power hybrid.
Open world confirmed?
‘Expansive playground’ not full open-world. Larger than Oldest House scale.
FBC Firebreak connection?
Connected universe continuity. Self-contained paranatural crisis focus.
Annapurna movie tie-in?
Co-financing strategic partnership. Film/TV adaptations parallel development.
Dylan Faden role in Control 1?
Jesse’s abducted brother central to Hiss plot. Coma victim post-FBC encounter.
2026 exact date?
Window only. Remedy track record suggests second half likely.
Conclusion
Control Resonant boldly reinvents Remedy formula – melee Aberrant replaces Service Weapon, Dylan supplants Jesse, Manhattan engulfs Oldest House. Sibling structure welcomes newcomers while expanding connected universe ambition post-Firebreak stumbles. Annapurna partnership validates multiplatform scale. Lightsaber-esque combat in reality-warped NYC positions 2026 essential – Remedy’s boldest evolution yet.