Upon reaching Central in Control Resonant and meeting Zoe in the watchtower, players are presented with four distinct zones: Central, the West Incursion Zone, the Evacuation Zone, and The Park. While any zone can be explored, a strategic approach can significantly streamline early game progression.
Acquiring the Level 1 Keycard
Before venturing into any of these zones, players must first obtain the level 1 keycard. This essential item is located on a central desk within the Field Office. Once acquired, access to the other zones becomes available.
Recommended Zone Order
The choice of which zone to tackle first depends on enemy strength, available traversal abilities, and combat upgrades. Enemy levels are indicated by numbers next to their health bars, with level 2 being appropriate for players at that same level, found in the "Stats & Effects" section of the Loadout menu. The West Incursion Zone and Central both begin at enemy level 2, the Evacuation Zone at level 3, and The Park is marked with a skull, signifying a high threat level.
West Incursion Zone: First Priority
For the most beneficial early progression, the West Incursion Zone is recommended as the first destination. It offers both a traversal ability, 'Shift,' and a combat ability, 'Push or Ground Slam.' 'Shift' is crucial for navigating vertical environments and a key traversal upgrade.
Evacuation Zone: Second Priority
Following the West Incursion Zone, the Evacuation Zone is the next logical step. Here, players acquire the 'Reach' traversal ability, which allows for interaction with specific launch points found throughout the game world. This zone also progresses the "Evacuation Procedures" main story quest, rewarding the player with the level 2 security keycard. While Central offers a combat ability ('Ignite' or 'Inferno'), 'Reach' is considered more vital for overall exploration at this stage.
Central: Third Priority
Central is recommended as the third zone to visit. The combat abilities gained here, 'Ignite' and 'Inferno,' are particularly effective against enemies in The Park, which are noted to be weak to fire damage. Having these fire-based attacks readily available will make subsequent encounters more manageable.
The Park: Final Priority
The Park should be approached last. Its enemies are the most challenging, and efficient navigation and combat are essential. The traversal abilities obtained from the West Incursion Zone and Evacuation Zone, coupled with the fire-based combat abilities from Central, provide the necessary tools to overcome the high-level threats found here.
This recommended order ensures players acquire essential abilities that enhance both movement and combat effectiveness, making the exploration of all zones more manageable and rewarding.