It’s been a while since Control gave wings to my imagination, but also a hard time to my beloved PS4 console, which tried in vain to… control the avalanche of colors, movements and flying objects the game threw at me.

Now though, with its more powerful 60 FPS+ fifth brother sitting proudly besides my TV, the clash with the equally more powerful version of the game was inevitable. Three playthroughs, 60+ hours of gameplay and two wild DLCs later, I can confirm what I’ve been telling since the beginning: That Control needed the PS5 to unlock its true potential. And oh my, was I in for a surprise.

To avoid any misunderstandings, Control’s Ultimate Edition is NOT -just- a next-gen upgrade of the game. It’s a bundle that comes with both DLCs and gives to PS5 owners the next-gen upgrade for free. Why 505 Games did not do the same to PC users remains a mystery, as the overall game experience would be benefited immensely from the ray-tracing and increased FPS count that high-end machines could provide.

What a game…!

The difference in performance is blatantly obvious from the get-go. The FPS count is nearing double rates, the gameplay is smooth and FINALLY distant objects, like paintings and background items, can render properly and on time, which is something the original game suffered from.

And here is where the “unfortunate” part of the title fits in. Control UE clearly shows that the game should have been a next-gen title right from the start. It had no business being released before the next-gen consoles did, and the performance issues that arose managed a big blow at its reputation. The PC version is also backing this claim, since despite the min GPU requirements being a GTX 780 and an RX 280, anything less than a GTX 1660 or an RX 480 would render the game literally unplayable and bring the PC to its knees.

“I am the Director”

The two aforementioned DLCs, called “Foundation” and “AWE” respectively, widen even further the already original and deep lore of the game, while AWE actually connects Control’s universe with the Alan Wake series, which is, well, kinda AWEsome.

It’s worth noting that access to both DLCs is only available after completing the main storyline, unlocking new weapon modes that make gameplay three times as fun, new Jesse powers that bring a refreshing and enriched level-character interaction, but also new bosses that are wildly more dangerous and demanding compared to the main game ones.

Generally speaking, Remedy’s stupidly good game got the overhaul it deserved, granting Control UE a huge leap forward on the must-play list. The engaging scenario paired with psychedelic visuals offer a complete immersion into the corridors and ways of the Old House, while the story remains gripping up to the very end.

Control also manages a balanced experience throughout the game. You don’t feel underleveled or overpowered at any given moment, at least not on you first playthrough. And that balance is something a lot of games, even of higher caliber than Control, struggle to maintain.

A bit of story and a lot of love

Director Faden’s powers are given right at the moment when you need them most and not only are they super-fucking-awesome, but they’re also used as a key to access or unlock new areas of the Old House. The contrast between the typical insides of a building in New York and the absolute paranormal paranoia that is Hiss is fascinating and gives the game a note of relevance, that this is something that might be happening to that building across the street. It’s the kind of feeling I’ve last felt while playing Silent Hill 4: The Room. And that says a lot about the immersion Control offers.

In my honest opinion, Jesse Faden has one of the best character arc of the past decade and even though Control is now on sale more often than not, it can still easily provide a full price experience. Don’t even think twice about getting your hands on it.