CONTROL Ultimate Edition

The base game is a masterpiece. The DLCs, while very nice, don't quite reach the same level, which is a pity. Trying to 100% the game is a bit frustrating due to a few bugs [spoiler](looking at you, vending machines)[/spoiler].

A true Patient Gamer Certified Banger. I got this bundled with Disco Elysium for $9 and I already got 50 hours worth of gameplay from Control alone. This is one of those games that’s easily more than the sum of its parts. The writing/story borrows from the cult TV series Twin Peaks. If you don’t know what this is you may be confused and possibly annoyed at first but I assure you this is a deliberate artistic choice. If you do know what Twin Peaks is, this is game is about the agency that handles Blue Rose cases, so this is basically what you were looking for while watching The Return. It’s supposed to be surreal, unnerving, and at the same time captivating as both you and Jesse come to terms with what’s happening in front of you. That slow burn is the draw, and if you stick with it you will be rewarded with one of the most interesting game worlds in recent memory. I usually don’t care about collectibles or even bother to read/watch them in most games but the world building here and its presentation is so cohesive that I felt as though I was an Agent myself uncovering and studying all these records. Unlike Twin Peaks the visual effects are absolutely stunning. I cannot get over however good the lighting and sound design are in this game, please please please try to wear headphones when playing to appreciate this. This game is literally Twin Peaks with a Stranger Things budget and if that doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what to tell you. The gameplay is also especially satisfying once you start unlocking new abilities. Again, a slow start but once you have your full kit your movement becomes extremely fluid and encounters become more fast-paced. Like it’s really hard for me to recommend BioShock or Dishonored now because those game’s power suite feel clunky by comparison. I will agree with other reviewers that the gunplay is a bit lacking but once you get the Unique mods in the AWE DLC (whose Investigations Sector appears about halfway through the game) most weapons feel a lot better, especially Shatter and Charge. Lastly, it’s weird that a game studio’s weakest link is the programming/game logic but if you get drawn in and want to 100% the game like I did be forewarned that you will most likely encounter some kind of bug while tracking an achievement. Sometimes something just doesn’t register even though you picked it up or triggered the cutscene. Most bugs are easily fixed by backing up your save and replaying the level but it’s rather annoying and the developers won’t fix these issues even when their own employees found them during their playthroughs. Still, despite the above I really enjoyed my time playing Control. It’s been a long time since a game drew me in like this and this unforgettable experience is something you can only really find in video games. An absolute no-brainer purchase, especially under $10. Pro-Tip: The easter egg in the Executive Sector cell needs All Achievements, All outfits, Ability Tree maxed, All missions cleared (Don’t worry if you have a Bureau Alert), and Cat Ears equipped. Don’t worry about getting every single thing outside of this unless you want to.