Players exploring Remedy Entertainment's latest offering, Control Resonant, may find themselves looking for intricate plot connections to the studio's wider connected universe, a practice that has been highly rewarding in previous titles. However, the game diverges from this expectation, offering a different, yet equally compelling, form of player engagement through its detailed environmental storytelling.
Remedy has built a reputation for embedding subtle clues and rewarding players who delve into the smaller details within their games, linking titles like Alan Wake and Control. This approach has fostered a community dedicated to dissecting every element for deeper meaning. Control Resonant, while containing some nods to this interconnectedness, largely steers away from heavily signposting its place within the larger Remedy Connected Universe. A particular chain of side quests hints at future implications for the studio's narrative ambitions, but the primary focus shifts away from explicit connections.
Remedy concept artist Mikko Kinnunen emphasized the desire for Control Resonant's version of Manhattan to possess its own distinct character. The team aimed for a timeless aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic New York cinematic elements rather than mirroring contemporary reality. This focus on the city as a character with its own history and life meant avoiding overt fourth-wall-breaking elements, allowing the environment to stand on its own. Some in-game signage is deliberately ordinary, a departure from the expectation that every detail would tie into the overarching Remedy lore.
Instead of deciphering cryptic clues about characters from Alan Wake 2 or the original Control, players are encouraged to appreciate the diverse voice present in the game's billboards, posters, and flyers. Kinnunen confirmed that none of this environmental art was generated using AI, highlighting a sense of cohesion derived from a shared artistic vision. The intention behind each piece, he stated, contributes to the overall authored experience.
Many of these environmental details reveal a human touch. Signs around the city feature photographs of Remedy developers, who participated in an internal 'lighthearted casting round.' These likenesses were then incorporated into various scenarios, such as portraying gym staff or restaurant employees. Similarly, the animals depicted on in-game signs are the companion animals of Remedy's staff. This deliberate use of real-world elements, rather than AI shortcuts, adds a unique layer of authenticity.
The game's signage also employs humor and thematic resonance. Some posters adopt a playful tone, like an advertisement for a law firm featuring an irate individual "fired over nothing." Others cleverly incorporate the word "control" as a subtle nod to the player. This mirrors Remedy's past use of names and branding for ironic effect, reminiscent of how the studio disguised its Twitter account as a product brand before officially announcing Control.
The Federal Bureau of Control's public-facing messaging also undergoes subtle alterations. Kinnunen explained that internal FBC posters retain their retro style, but external communications adopt a different tone. While some public service announcements aim for a straightforward approach, they are imbued with a characteristic FBC creepiness and humor, often stemming from a slight disconnect with modern sensibilities.
Fake movie posters are scattered throughout the virtual city, contributing to its lived-in feel. The naming of businesses also varies, blending grounded, authentic-sounding names with more bespoke, authored ones. Kinnunen pointed to "Könstig," an in-game art studio with Swedish roots where 'Konst' means art and 'Konstig' means strange, and "Taikoo House," a sushi bar, as examples of this deliberate naming strategy.
Control Resonant also explores thematic contrasts within its environment. Billboards might juxtapose political commentary, such as celebrating oil dependence against calls for climate action. These elements serve to evoke a specific atmosphere and complement the distinct character of each in-game zone, whether it's the affluent financial district or a more blue-collar area. The game utilizes these contrasts to create a feeling rather than push a specific agenda, exploring themes like growth versus sustainability.
From theater marquees to coffeehouse chalkboards and sales flyers, the game is rich with easily overlooked details, clever references, and thematic relevance. While the initial expectation might be to find direct links to the wider Remedy Connected Universe, Control Resonant invites players to engage with its world on a different level, finding a unique appreciation in its purposefully crafted, human-made details.