As part of its ongoing mystery game promo, the Epic Games Store has given away some real zingers such as Prey, Mutant Year Zero, Loop Hero, and more. Now, for December 26, it may be offering up its biggest game yet: Control (Standard edition). On the one hand, this is a repeat, but on the other, it's a must-play for anyone who hasn't.
Control is a beloved game with plenty of positive reviews to back it up. As the eleventh free game for the Epic Games Store, many will hopefully get to play it who haven’t already. Here’s what newcomers need to know about Control.
Epic Games Store: Control’s Story
Player character Jesse Faden explores the Oldest House (paranormal HQ of the FBC, or Federal Bureau of Control) and utilizes unique abilities to defeat The Hiss, paranormal enemies who invade and corrupt reality. Objects of Power will grant Faden new abilities. Overall, Control is inspired by paranormal stories about the SCP Foundation, combined with brutalist architecture to give an oppressive, destructive, and immersive environment.
Utilizing the Service Weapon, Faden seeks to stabilize the Oldest House, defeat the Hiss, and learn more about her lost brother, all while aided by a mysterious telepathic entity known as Polaris. Any more really becomes spoilers, but at the end of the day, Control’s story brings together a lot of supernatural elements that make for a unique game.
Epic Games Store: Control’s Gameplay and Powers
Control is an action-adventure game with minor Metroidvania elements, including a large world map with nonlinear exploration. Control Points allow players to fast travel through areas, while unlocking more of the building to explore the world. Mission rewards can upgrade Control’s Service Weapon with new perks and upgrades, and more. Perhaps the best part of Control is the psychokinetic powers Jesse develops through the game, which include the following:
- Launch – Toss objects. Unlocked in Main Campaign.
- Evade – Dodge attacks and/or get a forward boost. Unlocked via Side Quest.
- Shield: Pull debris to Jesse to defend against CQC enemies. Unlocked via Side Quest.
- Seize: Turn low-health enemies into allies. Unlocked via Side Quest.
- Levitate: For exploration, levitate to access new areas. Unlocked in Main Campaign.
Epic Games Store: Control’s Connection to Alan Wake
Remedy Entertainment confirmed that Control takes place in the same world as Alan Wake, giving fans a ton of hope for Alan Wake 2 (which was officially announced at The Game Awards this year). Several documents in the 2019 game allude to Alan Wake, with one even explaining all the coffee thermoses in the game. The player’s brother will even at one point directly mention the events of Alan Wake, and the FBC investigates events in that location at one point. Of course, one could say that these Easter eggs offer little more outside of Remedy’s confirmation, but one bit is a lot more on the nose.
For fans of Control, there are two DLCs to continue the story. The second, titled AWE, sees an apparition of Alan Wake summon Jesse to the Investigations Sector, where she must resolve a new story set in Bright Falls. Overall, there’s a lot of setup and an equal amount of headscratchers, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens in Alan Wake 2…as well as hopefully Control 2 as well.
Control is the Epic Games Store’s free game for December 26. Claim before 10 AM CT on December 27.