Control Resonant: a deep dive into combat, buildcrafting, and player choice
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2026 2:00 pm
A few weeks ago, during State of Play, we shared the first gameplay footage of Control Resonant running on PlayStation 5 Pro. The trailer was fast-paced and focused — but it only scratched the surface of the gameplay systems at work.
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A world designed for choice Our take on Manhattan is divided into carefully designed zones, each with its own vibe, encounters, lore and secrets.
We are not into an open world where looking at the world map causes anxiety. Less is more. We want to fill the world with interesting, fun stuff to do instead of tons of grind.
There are two primary narrative quest types:
- Dylan’s Journey – the main campaign
- World Quests – self-contained narrative stories
Beyond these, you’ll find combat encounters, environmental challenges, hidden discoveries, and optional activities woven naturally into each area. Maybe you chase down an Altered Item or two…
The goal isn’t to “clear” the map — it’s to explore it on your terms.
Combat built on momentum
Expanding player expression in combat was central to our design.
Action now leans more heavily into melee and supernatural synergy. At the heart of it is the Aberrant, Dylan’s transforming melee weapon. It shifts between distinct Primary and Secondary Forms, along with powerful Combo Enders, allowing you to tailor speed, range, and combat role within a single build.
But combat isn’t just about weapon forms. It’s about momentum.
In Control Resonant, aggression fuels power.
- Melee hits restore your Combat Ability resource
- Abilities stun enemies, opening them up for executions
- Executions temporarily boost melee damage
The more you commit to close-range pressure, the more tools you gain to stay in control. It’s a loop designed to reward decisiveness and flow.
At the same time, different playstyles are fully supported. For example, you might lean into a heavy close-range build or opt for a more tactical setup using summons like Mold Turrets, which attack independently and apply harmful status effects.
For players who love optimizing, detailed stat breakdowns make build performance transparent and readable.
Shaping identity in the gap
Progression centers on meaningful specialization.
Outside combat, players can enter the Gap, a dreamlike space tied to Dylan’s psyche, simply by pressing down on the directional-pad of the DualSense controller. This is where you shape your build.
Your setup revolves around three core pillars:
- Supernatural Combat Abilities, earned by defeating powerful Resonants
- Weapon Forms for the Aberrant
- Talents that amplify synergy between abilities and melee attacks
Resonants are major boss encounters integrated into story progression. Defeating one grants its unique ability, and some offer branching choices that push you toward distinct playstyles.
These aren’t the only systems at play, and not everything can be unlocked in a single playthrough — that’s intentional.
More to come
There’s much more to share about the story, characters, and the larger paranatural forces reshaping Manhattan. We’ll dive deeper into those elements in the months ahead.
For now, we’re excited to share how Control Resonant is evolving into a full-fledged action-RPG – one where momentum fuels strength, specialization shapes identity, and Manhattan becomes a surreal battlefield.
Source: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/03/04 ... er-choice/