Control Resonant walkthrough: combat basics, bosses and tips
Control Resonant is a sequel to Control by Remedy Entertainment. It was released on September 24, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GeForce NOW); a Mac version arrives later in 2026. The protagonist is Dylan Faden, brother of FBC Director Jesse Faden: after years in a coma he walks out into a warped Manhattan to find his sister and stop a cosmic threat. Below is a full walkthrough: combat basics, early missions, bosses and tips. Spoilers ahead.
Basics: what to know before the first boss
- Melee instead of guns. Dylan's main weapon is the Aberrant, a shapeshifting melee weapon: from a two-handed hammer to paired blades. Primary and secondary forms, as well as combo finishers, can be swapped at any moment.
- Falter and executions. Attacks and abilities fill the Falter meter on enemies. When it maxes out, an execution mark appears — Dylan leaps across the arena for a heavy finisher.
- Perfect dodge. Dodging at the last moment triggers Retaliation: the enemy floats helplessly in the air, open for combos.
- The Gap. An in-game hub in the spirit of the Mind Place from Alan Wake 2: change your build, recraft artifacts and test combos on a training arena. You can enter freely outside combat.
- RPG systems. Several talent trees, Aberrant customization and artifacts with passive bonuses. Respec is always available — experiment for free.
- Branching abilities. Bosses unlock powers with branching upgrades: for example, empowering attacks with heat or releasing a heat wave; a force push or an area slam.
First hours: prologue and early missions
- Awakening. Dylan wakes from a years-long coma. The Oldest House is being evacuated, and together with his partner Zoe he escapes into warped Manhattan — the game's open world.
- The first boss. On the way out of the Oldest House, Dylan faces a giant disembodied head that hurls taxis, rebar and street debris. It is defeated through the Falter meter: execute regular enemies, build Falter on the boss and strike the execution mark.
- Learning the Gap. After the prologue the hub opens: swap the Aberrant's forms, respec talents and test combos on the training arena.
- Early Manhattan missions. The city's open districts offer several routes to your goal: alternate the main chain with FBC side quests — they reward artifacts and talent points.
The Sinkhole mission and gravity puzzles
One of the most memorable missions from the previews: gravity fails inside the Sinkhole, and the arena is built around walking on walls and ceilings. The mission follows in the footsteps of the Ashtray Maze from the first Control — navigate by light and sound, not by the map. Check your build before entering: in enclosed arenas without cover, dodging and quick Falter executions decide the fight.
Bosses
| Boss | Where | How to win |
|---|---|---|
| The giant disembodied head | Prologue, evacuation of the Oldest House | Dodge the thrown debris, execute regular enemies to build Falter, and land the execution mark on the boss. |
| Manhattan elite enemies | Open world and story missions | Large enemies telegraph their attacks: dodge perfectly to put them into Retaliation, then execute. |
Endings
The game releases on September 24, 2026. Our breakdown of the finale and all endings will be added to this article right after release — the update lands the same day.
Tips
- Build around one mechanic: Falter damage, heat or push control — a focused build beats scattered upgrades.
- Perfect dodges are your main damage source early on: learn to read the wind-ups of large enemies — they are well telegraphed.
- Visit the Gap before each new zone: switching the Aberrant's form for specific enemies saves resources.
- Prioritize elite enemies: regular Hiss stop respawning after their death.
- Do not skip side quests: open-ended Manhattan rewards exploration with progression and FBC lore.
Frequently asked questions
When did Control Resonant come out? September 24, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam, EGS, GeForce NOW). The Mac version follows later in 2026.
Do I need to play the first Control? No: Remedy positions the game as both a sequel and an entry point, and Dylan and Jesse's relationship is explained inside the story.
Is there a Russian language option? Yes, subtitles and interface in Russian are available at launch; there is no Russian voiceover.
How big is the game? According to Remedy, the story takes about 30 hours, with full completion around 50.
Is it a shooter like the first game? No, the focus is melee combat and RPG mechanics: builds, talent trees, weapon customization.
What does the Deluxe Edition include? 48-hour early access on PS5, cosmetic items and, according to preliminary information, a season pass.
Last updated: September 24, 2026.