The 'The Underpass Resonant' mission in Control Resonant tasks players with venturing into the Astral Plane to confront a powerful entity known as The Physicist. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for completing the mission, including locating the three Astral Keys and preparing for the boss encounter.
Mission Unlocked
'The Underpass Resonant' mission becomes available after reporting an 'Interdimensional Breach' in the Underpass to Zoe. While it can be initiated early in the game, it is recommended to tackle this mission once players have gained sufficient power and abilities, ideally shortly after unlocking the Unknown. The abilities gained from completing this mission will prove useful in subsequent challenges.
Objectives Overview
The mission comprises the following objectives:
- See where the spire leads.
- Investigate the Astral Plane.
- Find the key and unlock the first door.
- Find the key and unlock the second door.
- Find the key and unlock the third door.
- Investigate the Astral Plane.
- Kill the Astral Plane Resonant.
Navigating the Astral Plane
To begin, players must travel to The Spire and ascend its side to reach the Astral Plane. Upon entering this familiar yet altered environment, players should climb the pillars directly opposite the entrance point. From there, the journey involves a series of jumps and utilizing the 'Shift' ability to navigate between platforms and walls, particularly those featuring the remains of apartments. Players must be cautious, as falling outside designated areas can lead to instant death.
Finding the Astral Keys
First Astral Key
To find the first key, players must jump to a platform to the left of the initially encountered locked door. This area contains ruined apartment sections and floor scribbles that guide the path. After defeating summoned Astral Spikes from a resource chest, players will need to proceed cautiously, avoiding emergent spears. Continuing along the apartment ruins and shifting onto a wall section will lead to the first Astral Key. A shortcut can be used to return to the lower area.
Second Astral Key
For the second key, players should head to a platform situated roughly halfway down from the first door and to the left of the Underpass entrance. The navigation process remains similar, involving jumps and shifts onto apartment ruins and scribbled paths. A resource chest in this area will teleport away, requiring players to pursue it, ultimately leading to another encounter with Astral Spikes. After defeating them, players should jump to the next section of apartment ruins, which leads to a Health Upgrade Point and, after another gap, the second Astral Key. Backtracking can be expedited by jumping down to a lower platform.
Third Astral Key
The third key requires players to proceed to the very end of the platform containing the first door and jump to an adjacent one. Players will encounter 'respawn' points that are actually traps summoning Astral Spikes. After clearing these enemies, players need to carefully navigate across platforms and walls. Ignoring the apartment ruins in one section and instead following the white scribbles is crucial. By shifting to the underside of a platform and continuing to Shift, players can reach the area containing the final key. After collecting it, players should jump down to a lower platform, open a resource chest, and then run off the side to change gravity, allowing them to return to the door.
Confronting The Physicist
With all three keys collected, players can unlock the final door and enter the patterned apartment. This area contains collectibles that offer insight into the mission's narrative. Players are advised to visit The Gap to perform upgrades before proceeding. The mission culminates in a boss fight against the Astral Plane Resonant, also known as The Physicist. It is recommended to defeat this Resonant before completing the game, as its abilities are beneficial. A strategy guide for this boss encounter is available separately.
Mission Rewards
Upon defeating The Physicist, 'The Underpass Resonant' mission concludes. Rewards include 3,000 Source, one Reset Item, the Untapped Golden Earrings, and 500 Underpass XP. A collectible will appear near the defeated boss, and a nearby fast travel point allows a quick return to the ruined apartment in the Astral Plane.
This mission is one of two Resonant-related missions in Control Resonant, the other being 'The Unknown Resonant.' Following its completion, players can continue with the main story or pursue other activities like finding taxi and dog locations.