It has been years since we last stepped into the concrete shoes of the Director, but the wait is finally over. At The Game Awards 2025, Remedy Entertainment officially pulled back the curtain on the sequel to their 2019 masterpiece. It is not just called Control 2, though. The official title is Control Resonant, and it promises to be a “shock to the system” that changes almost everything we thought we knew about the franchise.
Slated for a 2026 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Resonant isn’t just a retread of the Oldest House. The Hiss have broken containment, the genre has shifted, and perhaps most shockingly, Jesse Faden is nowhere to be found.
A New Hero Awakes
The biggest surprise of the trailer was the protagonist reveal. Jesse Faden, the hero of the first game, has reportedly “gone fishing”—a Remedy-style euphemism for being missing in action. In her place, we will be playing as her brother, Dylan Faden.
Fans will remember Dylan as the troubled sibling who spent years corrupted by the Hiss. Now awake from his coma and seemingly free of their influence (mostly), he has been deployed by the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) to clean up a mess that has spiraled out of control. Playing as Dylan offers a darker, more volatile perspective. Unlike Jesse, who accepted her role as Director, Dylan has a complicated, traumatic history with the Bureau that once imprisoned him.
The Oldest House is Empty
While the first game was a claustrophobic masterpiece set entirely within the shifting walls of the Oldest House, Control Resonant is taking the fight outside. The containment has failed, and the Hiss have spilled out into the streets of New York City.
The trailer showcased a “warped Manhattan” that looks absolutely stunning and terrifying. Gravity is distorted, skyscrapers are bending like rubber, and the familiar city streets have become a surreal playground for paranatural entities. Remedy has described the game as having a more “open-ended” world, allowing players to explore this twisted version of the Big Apple in a way that wasn’t possible in the linear corridors of the first game.
From Shooter to Action-RPG
Remedy is also shaking up the gameplay loop. They have officially classified Control Resonant as an Action-RPG, marking a departure from the action-adventure roots of the original. This implies deeper progression systems, more meaningful build choices, and perhaps a gear system that goes beyond simple mods.
Combat is getting a massive overhaul to match. The Service Weapon is gone. In its place, Dylan wields The Aberrant, a shapeshifting metallic melee weapon bestowed by the Board. This signals a shift toward more aggressive, close-quarters combat. You won’t just be shooting from behind cover; you will be getting in the faces of enemies, smashing through Hiss barriers with a weapon that morphs on the fly.
Key Differences: Control vs. Control Resonant
| Feature | Control (2019) | Control Resonant (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | Jesse Faden | Dylan Faden |
| Setting | The Oldest House | Warped New York City |
| Genre | Action-Adventure | Action-RPG |
| Primary Weapon | Service Weapon (Gun) | The Aberrant (Melee) |
Conclusion
Control Resonant looks like exactly the kind of sequel we didn’t know we wanted. Instead of playing it safe with more of the same, Remedy is taking a massive risk by changing the hero, the genre, and the setting. It is bold, it is weird, and it is 100% on brand. 2026 feels like a long way off, but if this trailer is anything to go by, it will be worth the wait.
FAQs
When is Control Resonant releasing?
The game is officially scheduled to launch in 2026.
What platforms will it be on?
It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Mac.
Is Jesse Faden in the game?
The premise states that Jesse has “gone fishing” (is missing). While she may appear in the story, the main playable character is her brother, Dylan.
Do I need to play the first Control?
While Remedy often makes their games accessible to newcomers, the story of Resonant is a direct continuation of the events involving the Faden family and the FBC, so playing the first game is highly recommended.
Is it an open-world game?
Remedy has described it as having a “larger, more open-ended” world compared to the first game, set in the streets of a warped Manhattan.