Control - AWE stands out as an action-adventure expansion that builds on the supernatural third-person shooter foundation of the main game, introducing fresh challenges in a mysterious government facility.
Gameplay
In Control - AWE, you step back into the role of Jesse Faden, navigating the eerie Investigations Sector of the Oldest House. Combat revolves around a mix of gunplay and supernatural abilities, such as telekinesis to hurl objects at enemies and levitation for mobility. This DLC adds the Surge form to the Service Weapon, which functions as a sticky grenade launcher, allowing you to attach explosives to foes or surfaces for strategic blasts. Darkness plays a key role, with shadows empowering certain enemies like the Hartman creature, forcing you to use light sources to weaken them. Exploration involves solving environmental puzzles tied to Altered World Events, collecting mods to enhance weapons and abilities, and dealing with contained objects that have broken free.
The core loop emphasizes adaptive tactics, where you switch between ranged attacks, power usage, and evasion in dynamic arenas. Side missions expand on this by offering hunts for specific threats or retrieval tasks, rewarding you with upgrades that tweak damage output or energy regeneration.
Game Modes
Control - AWE focuses on single-player experiences, with the main story mode driving the narrative through a series of missions in the breached sector. You investigate sealed records and confront loose entities, blending linear progression with open exploration areas.
Side missions provide additional content, such as eliminating roaming threats or completing timed challenges. The DLC includes Shüm, an arcade-style mode where you replay iconic combat scenarios from the base game in a horde format, testing survival skills against waves of enemies.
Key Features and Mechanics
This expansion integrates mechanics like object containment and power abandonment, where you manage hazardous items that influence gameplay. New enemies require specific strategies, such as exploiting light to counter darkness-based abilities. Mods allow customization, letting you adjust fire rates or add elemental effects to your arsenal.
The setting ties into broader lore, featuring crossovers with elements from other Remedy titles, enriching the atmosphere without overshadowing the core action.
Is It Worth Playing?
Control - AWE has earned a Strong rating on OpenCritic, reflecting positive feedback for its engaging additions and narrative connections. Players appreciate the new weapon form and focused level design, though some note it feels shorter than expected.
It suits those who enjoyed the base game's blend of story and combat, especially if you like third-person shooters with supernatural twists. As part of the completed Ultimate Edition, it remains accessible without ongoing updates, making it a solid pick for expanding your playthrough if the main campaign left you wanting more. If fast-paced action in a weird bureaucratic world appeals, this DLC delivers worthwhile hours of content.
