At this year's Gamescom I was really disappointed not to get the chance to play on Control the newest game from Remedy Entertainment. Luckily, I didn’t have too long to wait until I could get my hands on it. The eagerly anticipated game was released on 27th August on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Although I'm still working my way through, this Control review gives my first impressions on many aspects of the game.My first thought when starting the game was "What the hell is happening?"My thoughts throughout the game were… "What the hell is happening?!"

Gameplay

Control is a third-person game, meaning you have a full view of what's going on around the main character. You have a “service weapon” which can be heavily modified and upgraded as the game goes on, but that’s not your only weapon. The best part of this game is definitely the fact that you have Telekinetic Powers! Using the powers feels similar to those in the Infamous game series, where you can develop them further and become more refined, stronger and way more badass as you go.The controls are pleasantly simple and easy to grasp. To use your powers, all it takes it aiming at something and holding R1, then aiming where you want to through it and then release the trigger. The best thing about it these powers is that it means practically anything and everything can be used as a projectile. You can really get creative!

Storyline

You play as the protagonist Jesse Faden, who is on a mission to find her brother Dylan. After an experience as children involving the Bureau of Control, Dylan is missing. As you make your way into the building where the Bureau is located, called 'The Oldest House', a series of events finds you becoming the new Director of the organisation. The Bureau is a secretive faction, who are in charge of researching and fighting against everything supernatural that is threatening human existence.Throughout the game, you'll find out more about Jesse Faden’s, past but you also discover the secrets of the Bureau. It all involves exploring the building, working with other agents and solving puzzles along the way.

The Hiss

At my current place in the game, we don’t know who or what the hiss is. All we know is that they’re able to possess people and take over their bodies - a weird parasite is the best way I can think of describing them. What we do know is that they’ve infiltrated The Oldest House and it’s down to you to stop them.

Objects of Power

The way you improve and unlock your powers is by completing challenges involving Objects of Power. Each Object of Power seems insignificant at first, e.g. A giant floppy disc or a Merry-Go-Round horse. Once you’ve unlocked their powers, you can then improve them further on the Abilities Tree.

Abilities tree

As with most games these days, you have an abilities tree. This is unlocked after you’ve passed a certain mission, and the main categories are; Health, Energy, Melee, Launch, Shield, Seize and Levitate.

Control Points

When you reach certain areas within the game you can 'cleanse' Control Points. This allows you to fast-travel between points. It’s also at Control Points that you can access the Abilities Tree, Astral Constructs and Board Countermeasures. If you’re low on health you can also interact with the Control Points to regain some. It all sounds more complicated than it is.

Board Countermeasure

This is a simple method to unlock more mods, whether they’re personal mods to improve your character or weapon mods. The game contains mini side missions and achievement targets, for example killing off a certain number of Hiss enemies with a specific weapon or performing particular moves with your powers.

Mods

Throughout the game, you unlock mods for the service weapon. These can be applied to the weapon in its various forms (see below). They allow you to increase the damage the weapon inflicts, and also how quickly the ammo regenerates so you'll spend less time vulnerable.Grip - This is the standard form that the service weapon is in when you begin the game. It’s got a semi-automatic fire rate and is good for short and long-range. Upgrading this item will unlock mod slots to further enhance the performance of the weapon.Shatter - If you find yourself under fire from a lot of enemies at close range then this is the form to choose. It shoots out in a scattershot form, similar to the effects a shotgun would have. It’s slow to fire but the damage it inflicts is high.Spin - The main feature of this weapon is its high rate of fire larger magazine size. If you’ve got a lot of enemies around, this is your best shot.Pierce - If you’re fighting an enemy with armour then you’re going to want this bad boy. It’s able to penetrate enemy armour from any range, so you don’t have to be right on top of them to inflict the damage.Charge - The Charge form of your service weapon is great if you’ve got a lot of enemies to get through. It will shoot out three projectiles at once, almost like a rocket launcher.

Health Elements

Each time you defeat an enemy they drop health elements. So far this is the only way I’ve found that you can regain health whilst in the middle of a fight. Luckily, all you have to do is run into the vicinity of them and you will automatically acquire health.

Rating

Based on the game that I’ve played so, far I must admit that I’m more than impressed with the story, the environment, the powers and the effects. There are points where the facial expressions and the quality of the lip-synching when the character is speaking are worse than I would expect from an AAA-rated game for the PS4, however, everything else more than makes up for that and I can’t hold it against Remedy Games too much.

OUR SCORE: 4 out of 5

Thanks for reading our Control review - have you played it yet or are you thinking about picking it up? Let me know in the comments!Don't forget to keep up to date with all the latest posts via our home page.