Control Resonant is taking some pretty big swings for a sequel, with numerous aspects from the original being heavily altered. Not only is there a new protagonist and setting, but Resonant is breaking into an entirely different genre, with guns being ditched for melee action instead.
It’s a bold step in a new direction, especially for a studio that’s practically mastered the art of the third-person shooter, but could it come with the risk of alienating the original fanbase? Remedy doesn’t seem to think so; instead, it’s seen as an opportunity to reach an entirely new audience—namely, the action RPG crowd.
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Resonant Is All About Introducing More People To Control
Speaking with the Art Director for Control Resonant, Elmeri Raitanen, we discussed the risks and rewards of the bold shift from third-person shooter to melee-action brawler.
When exploring why Remedy chose to make this change, Raitanen settled on a handful of reasons.
Firstly, it made sense for the narrative. It was always the plan for the sequel to be Dylan’s story, and with numerous themes of juxtaposition and contrast between the Faden siblings, it was decided very early on that he would serve as the ‘brawler who gets up close and personal,’ compared to Jesse’s more ranged approach.
However, a new genre also meant an opportunity to reach a wider player base, and Remedy seems keen to do so. Raitanen explained that fans who might prefer action RPGs didn’t give Control a go, and that’s a ‘massive player base who might have enjoyed Control if it was a little more in their wheelhouse.’
With that in mind, there’s hope that Resonant could ‘attract a little more of that action RPG crowd,’ with more eyes on the game the better. That did prompt me to question whether there’s a risk that, with a new genre, could fans of the original potentially be alienated by this new experience? Raitanen was encouraging in his response:
We have been thinking about it, of course. I could still say that, regardless of the many things that we have changed, there is still a strong undercurrent of the original vibes of Control in this one as well.
It’s undoubtedly a huge shift, but having played the game for myself, I can verify that Resonant still feels like Control, and judging by the combat so far, you wouldn’t think this is Remedy’s first foray into the melee-action genre.
Still, it’s a topic worth discussing. How do you feel about Control Resonant shifting genres? Do you wish it remained a third-person shooter, or are you excited to give the melee action a go? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
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Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
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