Control Resonant is Trading Gunplay for Fast, Devil May Cry-Style Combat

Remedy's next game after Control will look quite different from the first. According to Remedy Director Mikael Kasurinen, Control Resonant is shifting away from the third-person shooting that made the original stand out and is focusing more on RPG elements and fast melee combat. This big change could make the sequel feel less like a typical follow-up and more like a fresh spin on the same world.

The RPG features go beyond new upgrades. Control Resonant will let you make choices in conversations, so you have more control over how the story unfolds. Still, the biggest change is the combat. Instead of focusing on shooting, Resonant emphasizes aggressive melee attacks and a faster pace.

This new approach centers on Dylan and his supernatural weapon, the Aberrant.

The combat system features primary and secondary attacks, plus combo finishers that you can chain together quickly. For example, Dylan might use dual blades and then move right into a spinning cleaver attack. The idea is to keep the action moving, making the combat feel more immediate and stylish.

Remedy chose not to add a parry or deflect feature. Kasurinen explained that the team tried parrying during development but felt it slowed the combat. Because they wanted a fast, aggressive system, they left it out. This shows that Remedy wants Resonant's combat to focus on constant offense and movement, rather than waiting for the right time to defend. Dylan’s mobility also plays a major role.

Dylan’s movement is also central to the new style. He moves much faster and can stay in the air longer, and new flying enemies encourage him to fight above the ground. The levels were designed with more vertical space; battles aren’t limited to the ground like in the original Control. Some are particularly important.

Despite the focus on supernatural abilities and the absence of a parry system, Control Resonant isn't trying to become another Soulslike. Remedy has pointed toward the original Control and character-action games such as Devil May Cry and titles from PlatinumGames as major influences. The goal appears to be stylish, aggressive combat built around combos and mobility rather than slow, defensive encounters.

The PC requirements cover a wide range of hardware. On the low end, you can play at 1080p and 30fps with a GTX 1070 or RX 5600 XT. For 4K at 60fps with path tracing, you’ll need an RTX 5080. This means the game works on many PCs, but high-end systems can still show off its graphics. PC players will get support for DLSS 4.5, FSR 4.1, Frame Generation, Ray Reconstruction, and ultra-wide monitors.

Control Resonant needs about 120 GB of storage, so make sure you have enough space before installing.

Control Resonant is set to launch worldwide on September 24. PlayStation 5 players who buy the $70 Digital Deluxe Edition will reportedly get 48 hours of early access. This has already drawn criticism, since the early access is tied to both a specific platform and a pricier edition, making it feel more like a paid advantage than a bonus.

With its focus on melee combat, RPG features, aerial movement, and more vertical environments, Control Resonant is taking a clear risk. The first Control was known for its mix of shooting, supernatural powers, and an immersive world. Swapping much of the gunplay for Devil May Cry-style melee could really change the feel of the series.

Whether this risk pays off will depend on how well the new combat systems work together. For now, Remedy is showing that Control Resonant isn't just repeating what worked before. The team wants to move the series in a faster, more aggressive direction, and they're ready to change some of its most familiar mechanics to do it.