Control: Resonance shifts to ARPG as Dylan leaves Oldest House at 34

At Gamescom Latam 2026 in São Paulo, Remedy's creative director Mikael Kasurinen told Dualshockers that Control 2: Resonance is officially pivoting to ARPG. Dylan Faden is now 34 years old, and the game's setting shifts from the Oldest House's office corridors to Manhattan's open city blocks.

Manhattan in ruins makes you want to find high ground for the full view. Devastated streets, spreading anomalies, Hiss and mold crawling across building facades—this apocalyptic atmosphere feels far more expansive than the Oldest House's oppressive hallways. Dylan was taken by the FBC at age 10, confined for 17 years, then comatose for 7 more. At 34, he emerges into a city completely reshaped by supernatural events. The setup creates a strange tension: you want to explore every corner, yet dread what might be waiting around each turn.

Remedy is going all-in on RPG mechanics this time. Skill trees, gear upgrades, dialogue choices, and side quests all carry over from Control, now paired with Doom 2016's fast-paced combat and Elden Ring's open-world design. Mikael has wanted to make an RPG since Quantum Break, and this is finally his chance. The narrative document collection system returns too, meaning you'll still be digging through ruins for classified FBC files that piece together how this city collapsed.

The combat footage showing Dylan shield-blocking laser fire demonstrates Remedy's attention to action design. Red beams hitting the shield produce solid light effects, while floating debris and objects around him create dynamic battle scenes. The theme of "willing to risk everything to help others in a twisted fate" should give players enough freedom in an open Manhattan to choose their own combat style and narrative path.

Beyond the visuals, my real question is whether this pivot will dilute Control's original restrained, oppressive atmosphere. The Oldest House's appeal lay in being a closed space that constantly folded inward, while Manhattan spreads outward. Dylan leaves the Oldest House; Remedy leaves its comfort zone. Whether this gamble pays off—we'll know in 2026.