Control was one of 2019's most beloved games. The unique setting, plot, and gorgeously detailed environments all helped it stand head and shoulders above its contemporaries. Unfortunately, many console owners received a vastly inferior version. This issue is finally remedied with Control: Ultimate Edition, which optimizes the game for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
As excited as everyone is to jump back into the Oldest House, a few things about the package fall short. Fortunately, at the end of the day Control: Ultimate Edition is still the same modern classic, making it worthwhile both for newcomers and fans revisiting the title.
10 Love: Another Reason To Play Control
Even on base PS4 and Xbox One consoles, Control's genius shines. In the time since its release, many fans have already devoured every piece of content within the Oldest House. Still, console gamers will be excited to find another reason to play Control, as if they needed one.
With its inclusion as a free PS Plus game for February, it is a wonderful addition to the PS5 library at the start of the generation when the catalog is still light.
9 Don't Love: Anybody Who Preordered It
A lot of fans are upset about Control's inclusion as a PS Plus game after they already pre-ordered it. It is great for anyone who did not yet purchase the product, but the most loyal Remedy fans who already paid money are understandably upset.
It is difficult to say if this is a part of some plan to earn as much money while also exposing the game to a whole new audience, but it sure looks that way.
8 Loved: Performance Mode
Control barely maintains its 30 frames per second cap on the older consoles. Not only does Ultimate Edition include a performance mode, doubling that number, but it also rarely drops. Seeing the combat run so smoothly is a revelation.
Older versions could get unbelievably choppy during intense combat sequences, much to the detriment of the gameplay. It's a similar jump to playing Demon's Souls at 60 frames per second versus 30.
7 Don't Love: No Carrying Over Save Files
Control: Ultimate Edition contains all the previously-released DLCs. The title also has an endgame state where players are free to roam around the Oldest House and clean up side quests.
Anyone hoping to simply play this new version and pick up from where they left off to do the DLCs or obtain one hundred percent completion has to put that dream on hold. There is currently no way to transfer your save file from the older version to the new edition. Still, with a game as good as Control, playing through it again should be no issue.
6 Love: Ray Tracing
One of Control's most impressive visual features was completely absent from the PS4 and Xbox One versions. Fortunately, a graphics mode brings real-time ray tracing to consoles, allowing the world to look more beautiful than ever on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Similarly, Spider-Man: Miles Morales allows for ray tracing in its graphics mode. The new lighting system really makes the world feel more alive and vibrant.
5 Don't Love: No Free PS5 Upgrade
Another controversial thing about Control: Ultimate Edition is the price. Many last-generation titles are receiving free upgrades, but this one costs $40. At the end of the day, it is not doing a lot more than other titles receiving facelifts.
Days Gone is a particularly impressive example of a free PS5 patch, and its facelift now looks like it could have been built for the PS5 since day one. PS5 owners at least receive it for free on PS Plus.
4 Love: DualSense Features
The improvements made to Control: Ultimate Edition go beyond what players see on the screen. For PS5 owners, the game takes advantage of the new controller's improved vibration and resistance within the triggers.
This feature's cool factor will vary from player to player. Some do not feel any increased immersion with the haptic feedback, while other gamers consider the DualSense the best controller of all time because of it.
3 Don't Love: Either Ray Tracing Or 60 FPS, Not Both
One of the hardest choices one has to make when playing Control: Ultimate Edition is deciding between real-time ray tracing and 60 frames per second. Unfortunately, you cannot have both at the same time.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales recently updated itself to include ray tracing and high performance. Hopefully, Control can find a similar compromise soon. Having the advanced reflections at 60 frames per second would be a dream come true.
2 Love: Load Times
On PS4 and Xbox One, the load times were simply brutal. It is one thing to wait a while to load into the game when booting it up, but dying would often make players wait a solid thirty seconds before respawning.
Now, going into the world and then respawning only takes between five and ten seconds. Additionally, textures failing to load in is no longer an issue. The only downside is not being able to check the phone as often.
1 Don't Love: No Additional Gameplay Improvements
This almost seems like asking for too much, but it still bears mentioning. Anyone who had problems with navigation, the map, or any other aspect of the game won't find their issues remedied with this re-release. Don't expect any overhauls to systems or the UI.
All the improvements are under the hood and deal with visuals. Gameplay remains exactly the same. It is an incredibly beloved game, however, so few have any real gripes against it.