Control - The Foundation serves as a third-person action-adventure expansion to the base game, diving deeper into the supernatural world of the Federal Bureau of Control. Players step back into the role of Jesse Faden, the Director, as she explores the mysterious caverns beneath the Oldest House to avert a crisis where the Astral Plane threatens to merge with reality. This DLC introduces fresh narrative elements, drawing on the bureau's enigmatic history while building on the core mechanics of exploration, combat, and ability usage that define the series.
Gameplay
In Control - The Foundation, the gameplay revolves around third-person action with a mix of shooting, supernatural powers, and environmental interaction. Jesse uses her Service Weapon, which can be upgraded with forms like Fracture that allow breaking certain structures. A key new ability, Shape, lets players manipulate crystal formations in the environment for both combat and puzzle-solving, such as creating platforms or barriers against enemies. Combat involves fighting Hiss-infected foes and new enemy types in the Foundation's caverns, where players can set traps or use the surroundings to gain advantages. Exploration plays a big role, with side missions encouraging thorough searches for collectibles and mods that enhance Jesse's abilities or weapon performance. Platforming elements appear in navigating the rocky, unstable terrain, though they focus more on progression than complex challenges.
The core loop combines fluid gunplay with telekinetic powers like launching objects at enemies, now expanded by the DLC's environmental tweaks. Personal and weapon mods offer customization, such as boosting energy recovery or damage output, fitting different playstyles. While the mechanics build directly on the base game, the new powers add strategic layers in fights, especially in areas with destructible or shapeable elements.
Game Modes
This expansion sticks to single-player mode, extending the campaign with a new set of main story missions and optional side quests. The primary mode involves following the narrative path through the Foundation area, completing objectives like locating the missing Head of Operations, Helen Marshall, and stabilizing the Nail structures to prevent the Astral collision. Side missions provide additional challenges, such as clearing out enemy strongholds or solving environmental puzzles using the new Shape ability.
There are no multiplayer components or separate competitive modes; everything ties into the solo experience. Players can revisit completed areas for missed collectibles or to experiment with upgraded abilities, but the focus remains on progressing the story at your own pace.
Story and Setting
The narrative in Control - The Foundation uncovers more about the Oldest House's origins and the bureau's connection to otherworldly forces. Jesse ventures into underground caverns filled with bizarre architecture and astral phenomena, encountering lore through documents and audio logs that expand on the base game's mysteries. The setting shifts from the brutalist offices to crystalline caves and unstable rock formations, creating a sense of isolation and wonder.
Key plot points involve investigating the Board's influence and Marshall's disappearance, leading to revelations that tie into the larger universe. The story maintains a tone of intrigue and tension, with moments of unexpected level design that alter how players navigate spaces.
Is It Worth Playing?
For fans of the base game, Control - The Foundation offers a solid extension with about three to five hours of content, depending on how much you explore side missions. It has a Metascore of 77 and a user score of 6.7, reflecting generally favorable reception for its atmosphere and lore additions, though some note it feels short and doesn't drastically change the formula. The DLC shines if you enjoy story-driven action with supernatural twists, providing more context to the bureau's world without requiring major new skills.
If you're new to Control, start with the main game first, as this expansion requires completing the campaign to access. It's a worthwhile pickup for those who appreciate narrative depth and refined combat, but might not satisfy players seeking groundbreaking innovations. With no ongoing updates or seasons, it stands as a complete, polished add-on that's still engaging in its current state.
