Control

Control is a single-player third-person action game. The story follows Jesse Faden, who arrives at the Federal Bureau of Control, a secretive government agency investigating paranormal forces. Almost immediately, Jesse becomes the Bureau’s new Director after discovering a mysterious weapon known as the Service Weapon. The headquarters, called the Oldest House, is under siege by a supernatural presence known as the Hiss, and Jesse must navigate its shifting halls to confront the threat while uncovering answers about her own past.

Gameplay combines exploration of the Oldest House with combat against corrupted agents and creatures. Jesse wields the Service Weapon, which can transform into multiple firearm forms such as a pistol, shotgun, or automatic mode. Ammunition recharges over time, requiring players to balance attacks and defensive movement. Progression unlocks supernatural powers, including telekinesis to hurl objects, levitation for vertical exploration, and shields formed from debris, giving players multiple ways to approach encounters. Materials collected from enemies and missions can be used at control points to construct new weapon forms or additional mods.

Missions consist of story-driven objectives and optional side quests scattered throughout the Bureau. Players gain ability points by completing tasks and defeating enemies, which can be spent to enhance powers. Mods found in the environment or earned as rewards can be equipped to both Jesse and the Service Weapon, providing bonuses to damage, energy recovery, or defensive stats. Enemy encounters are dynamic, mixing ranged soldiers, melee attackers, and powerful boss-type entities that force players to combine powers and weapon forms effectively. Jesse can also undertake Bureau Alerts and Board Countermeasures, timed missions and challenges that provide extra rewards.

Exploration is central to progression. The Oldest House is designed as a semi-open environment with interconnected sectors, locked areas, and hidden passages that require new abilities to access. Control points act as fast-travel hubs and allow for health restoration and ability upgrades. Collectibles such as case files, audio logs, and video recordings expand the Bureau’s lore and provide background on its many supernatural objects.