Control Resonant will not feature a parry mechanic, developer Remedy Entertainment has confirmed. The decision stems from a desire to encourage a more aggressive and proactive combat style, pushing players to pursue enemies rather than waiting for openings.
Game director Mikael Kasurinen explained to IGN that the studio experimented with a parry system during development but found it conflicted with their vision for Control Resonant's fast-paced action. "The idea behind the combat system of Control Resonant is that offense is the best defense," Remedy stated. Prototyping a parry mechanic reportedly slowed down gameplay, as players adopted a more reactive stance instead of driving the action forward.
Instead of defensive maneuvers like parrying, players will utilize the Aberrant, a versatile tool described as a "Swiss-army knife of offensive potential." This tool can be transformed to unleash quick attacks with dual blades or to smash through enemy defenses with a large hammer.
The absence of a parry system is noteworthy in the current landscape of action games, where the mechanic has become increasingly common. Titles like From Software's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Doom: The Dark Ages with its Shield Saw, and Beast of Reincarnation all incorporate satisfying deflection or parry options.
Control Resonant is scheduled to launch on September 24. The Digital Deluxe edition, priced at $70, will offer PlayStation 5 owners 48 hours of early access to the game. The sequel will also delve into mature themes of trauma and redemption.