IGN has revealed that CONTROL Resonant will be getting the IGN First treatment throughout August. The month-long spotlight kicked off with thirteen minutes of exclusive gameplay showcasing the Metro Fault Mission. Fans have frequently returned to the New York subways in Remedy's adventures, from Rosco Street Station in Max Payne to Caldera Street Subway Station in Alan Wake 2, but they haven't been seen quite like this before!
A quick warning before we jump in! With the game set to launch next month, marketing has naturally gone a little deeper into the story. While this gameplay reveal shows thirteen minutes of selected gameplay from the mission, it also touches on the story and what has happened to Jesse. If you want to go into the game fairly fresh, you may want to bookmark this until later.
For those eager to learn more about Resonant, let's do this! The gameplay sneak peek offers our most extensive first look at the game, showcasing four key aspects: environmental puzzles, skill development, new (extremely fluffy) enemy types, and the in-game use of the Gap.
One of the things I loved about the gameplay is the showcase of the title's careful balance of colours. Similar to the Alan Wake series, the minimal use of soft warm yellows against colder blues, greys, and browns creates a feeling of a safe haven. With the subway station having become its own house of mirrors, yellow items and warm lighting nudge Dylan and the player to their destination.
This connection also carries over to Dylan's own sort of Astral Plane. As in the original adventure, Dylan seems to be transported to a new location as he builds his skill set. Whereas Jesse went to the Astral Plane, a grey, barren location where she could test her powers, Dylan's experience is much gentler. Though the concrete platform design remain, they are coated with soft autumnal leaves, a warm gold against the stark black background. The platforms are dotted with everyday objects, perhaps generated by the Board, but also potentially from his childhood memories, given his lack of outside experience.
At the end of his "Astral Plane", Dylan finds Jesse, or a vision of her. While the buildup is sure to provide additional content, we do find out why she woke up Dylan. Unfortunately for Manhattan, the reason isn't too reassuring.
Alongside the video, IGN provides additional information to the clip in the description, writing, "The Metro Fault is one of several ' Faults' found around this alternate New York. Essentially dungeons, you’ll have to make your way through them in order to acquire the new traversal skill waiting at the end — in this case, Reach, Resonant’s equivalent of a grappling hook. First, though, you’ll have to go deep underground, dodge trains flying at you from all angles, and fight off fungal Mold foes."
