Control 2 Embraces Action RPG Formula, Signaling Bold Evolution for Remedy's Connected Universe
Remedy Entertainment, the Finnish studio renowned for its unique blend of cinematic storytelling and distinct gameplay mechanics, has unveiled a pivotal detail regarding the future of one of its flagship franchises. The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller, Control, is set to undergo a significant transformation, shifting its genre from action-adventure to action RPG. This news, shared during a recent investors presentation, not only provides insight into the gameplay direction of Control 2 but also underscores Remedy's ambitious vision for its burgeoning interconnected universe.
The original Control, released in 2019, captivated players with its bizarre, brutalist architecture, mind-bending narrative centered around the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), and dynamic, physics-driven combat. Players stepped into the shoes of Jesse Faden, navigating the ever-shifting Oldest House, wielding a transforming Service Weapon, and mastering an array of telekinetic abilities to combat the otherworldly threat known as the Hiss. Its success was built upon tight action mechanics, environmental destruction, and a deep sense of mystery.
The Genre Shift: From Action-Adventure to Action RPG
The announcement that Control 2 will be an action RPG is perhaps the most striking piece of information to emerge from Remedy's recent disclosures. While the first game certainly featured elements of progression, such as upgrading Jesse's abilities and the Service Weapon, it primarily adhered to the action-adventure structure, emphasizing exploration, puzzle-solving, and linear or semi-linear progression through distinct areas of the Oldest House. The shift to action RPG implies a fundamental rethinking of the game's core mechanics and structure.
What Does 'Action RPG' Mean for Control 2?
An action RPG typically places a greater emphasis on character development through experience points, skill trees, stats, and loot systems. Players often have more agency in customizing their character's build and playstyle. The world design in action RPGs can also lean towards more open or interconnected environments, encouraging exploration and offering a multitude of side quests and activities beyond the main narrative path.
For Control 2, this could translate into several key changes:
- Deeper Progression Systems: Expect expanded skill trees for Jesse's psychic abilities and potentially new powers. We might see more granular stats influencing combat effectiveness, defense, or utility.
- Loot and Gear: The introduction of varied gear or weapon modifications with different stats and rarities could add a layer of depth, allowing players to tailor Jesse's loadout more extensively.
- World Structure: While the Oldest House is inherently non-linear and shifting, an RPG structure might mean larger, more persistent zones, or even areas outside the FBC headquarters that function as open-world or hub areas.
- Player Choice and Narrative Impact: Some RPGs incorporate dialogue options or choices that can influence the story's path or relationships with other characters. This could add a new dimension to Jesse's interactions within the bizarre world of the FBC.
- Replayability: RPG elements often enhance replayability, encouraging players to try different builds or explore all corners of the world.
This genre evolution is not unprecedented for studios known for action games. Many developers have successfully integrated RPG mechanics to add depth and longevity to their franchises. However, for Control, a game celebrated for its tight, focused action and environmental storytelling, this shift represents a bold step. It suggests Remedy is confident in its ability to weave complex RPG systems into the unique fabric of the FBC and the Oldest House, potentially creating a richer, more expansive experience for players.
Expanding the Remedy Connected Universe (RCU)
Beyond the genre shift for Control 2, the investors presentation heavily emphasized Remedy's commitment to building out its interconnected universe. This concept, which gained significant traction with the release of Alan Wake 2, posits that the worlds and characters of Remedy's games exist within a shared reality, influenced by similar paranormal phenomena and organizations like the FBC.
Creative Director Sam Lake highlighted the unique nature of this endeavor in the gaming landscape. While shared universes are common in comics and film, an original universe spanning multiple distinct game franchises is a less trodden path. The RCU currently links Control and Alan Wake, with explicit crossovers and shared lore. The success of Alan Wake 2, which has sold over 1.8 million copies according to the presentation, likely bolsters Remedy's confidence in this strategy.
The RCU is not confined to single-player narratives. Remedy also revealed more about FBC: Firebreak, its first foray into multiplayer gaming. This title is explicitly set within the Remedy connected universe, suggesting players might take on the role of FBC agents dealing with paranormal threats, potentially encountering elements or characters familiar from Control or Alan Wake. The fact that Firebreak is already in "full production" indicates it's further along in development than Control 2, which is currently in "production readiness."
Connecting the Dots: Games, Film, and TV
Remedy's RCU ambitions extend beyond just video games. Earlier in 2024, the studio announced a partnership with Annapurna Pictures to explore bringing its franchises to film and television. Sam Lake noted that this process is still in its "very early steps," but the intention is clear: to build a multimedia universe akin to established giants, albeit with Remedy's distinct, reality-bending flair.
This multimedia approach could see characters and storylines from the games influencing adaptations, and vice-versa. Imagine a Control TV series exploring different wings of the Oldest House or the history of the FBC, or an Alan Wake film delving deeper into the nature of the Dark Place. These adaptations could serve to broaden the RCU's audience and provide new perspectives on its lore.
The interconnectedness is a core tenet for Remedy. As Sam Lake stated, "What we create at Remedy is special, and we must never lose that." This suggests that while expanding, the studio aims to maintain the unique narrative and atmospheric qualities that define its games.
Development Status and Future Updates
The presentation also offered a glimpse into the development pipeline:
- FBC: Firebreak is in full production.
- Control 2 is in production readiness.
"Production readiness" typically means that the core concepts, design pillars, and technical foundations are largely established, and the team is gearing up for full-scale development across all disciplines (art, level design, programming, etc.). This suggests Control 2 is still some time away from release, but the foundational work is nearing completion.
In the more immediate future, Remedy confirmed that the Control Ultimate Edition will launch on Mac on February 12th, 2025. Furthermore, the original Control will receive a free update next year that will unlock "previously released content." While details are scarce, this could refer to previously paid DLC expansions (The Foundation and AWE) being made free for all owners of the base game, or perhaps other bonus content. This move could serve to bring more players into the world of Control ahead of the sequel and further solidify the player base within the RCU.
Implications of the Action RPG Shift
The decision to make Control 2 an action RPG is a calculated risk. While it opens up avenues for deeper engagement and longer playtime, it also requires Remedy to successfully implement complex systems that are not traditionally their primary focus. The success of games like Elden Ring, Diablo, or even action-focused RPGs like Mass Effect or The Witcher demonstrates the potential for deep, rewarding experiences within the genre, but also highlights the challenges of balancing action combat with meaningful progression.
Remedy's strength lies in its tight third-person combat, environmental interaction, and compelling, often surreal narratives. Integrating robust RPG mechanics without diluting these core strengths will be crucial. Will Jesse Faden gain levels and allocate skill points? Will there be different weapon types beyond variations of the Service Weapon, perhaps with randomized stats? How will the procedural or shifting nature of the Oldest House accommodate more persistent RPG world design?
The narrative implications are also fascinating. An RPG structure could allow for more character interactions, branching storylines, or faction systems within the FBC or related organizations. Given the RCU's focus on interconnectedness, perhaps player choices in Control 2 could have subtle (or not so subtle) repercussions that echo into other RCU titles, including Firebreak or future Alan Wake installments.
The Remedy Connected Universe: A Unique Proposition
Remedy's commitment to the RCU is perhaps its most defining characteristic moving forward. By explicitly linking its disparate franchises, the studio is building a meta-narrative that rewards long-time fans while providing a rich backdrop for new stories. The success of Alan Wake 2, which heavily leaned into its connection with Control, validates this approach.
The RCU allows for character cameos, shared lore, and a sense of a larger, persistent world dealing with the paranormal. The FBC, as a central organization investigating Altered World Events, serves as a natural connective tissue. The inclusion of a multiplayer title like FBC: Firebreak further expands the RCU's scope, allowing players to experience this world collaboratively.
However, managing a connected universe across multiple games and media presents significant challenges, including maintaining narrative consistency, balancing the needs of individual stories with the overarching lore, and ensuring that new entries are accessible to players who haven't experienced everything else in the universe.
Conclusion: A Bold Future for Control and Remedy
Remedy Entertainment is clearly charting an ambitious course. The decision to evolve Control 2 into an action RPG signals a desire to deepen gameplay systems and potentially expand the scope of the player experience. Coupled with the ongoing expansion of the Remedy Connected Universe across games and into film and television, the studio is building something truly unique in the industry.
While the shift to action RPG for Control 2 will undoubtedly spark discussion and speculation among fans, it represents a creative choice aimed at pushing the franchise forward. The success of Alan Wake 2 and the progress on FBC: Firebreak demonstrate a studio confidently executing its vision.
As Control 2 moves from "production readiness" towards full development, more details will hopefully emerge about how Remedy plans to blend its signature action and storytelling with the depth and progression expected from an action RPG. The future of the FBC, Jesse Faden, and the entire Remedy Connected Universe looks set to be more expansive and interconnected than ever before.
For more details on Remedy's plans and the interconnected universe, you can refer to the investors presentation and Remedy's official announcements. You can also revisit our review of the original Control or read about the initial announcement of Control 2. The RCU continues to grow, with recent entries like the Alan Wake 2 expansion, The Lake House, and the reveal of the multiplayer title FBC: Firebreak, all contributing to the expanding lore.