Control is the latest game from Remedy Entertainment, the developers who made Max Payne 1, Max Payne 2, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break. It was released fall 2019, and while it did get good reviews, I think it was a bit of a sleeper-hit. It is not yet released on Steam (Epic Games Store timed-exclusive based on my understanding) though it should be coming to Steam later in 2020, but it was also released on PS4 and XB1.
The game is at the same time flawed yet incredibly entertaining and fun to play. In terms of the game's design, Control is a "Metroid-vania" with a bit of Dark Souls thrown in. You will find locked doors that won't open until you have obtained the requisite clearance level. You will also be unable to traverse certain areas until you have obtained a particular ability or completed a certain quest. There is some backtracking, but not too much. It has some "Souls" inspiration through the use of "control points" (i.e., bonfires), where you can fast-travel, use ability points, craft upgrades, and respawn on death.
In terms of raw gameplay, it is a third person shooter with powers thrown in (as you progress you will have the ability to hurl objects, levitate, dash, and create shields), all set in a world filled with some paranormal and supernatural events. The game is flawed in the sense that the enemy variety is quite limited - you will face the same enemies over and over again, with the only variation being the "level" they are (indicated by a number that appears with the enemy's health bar) along with some named versions of those enemies. Enemy encounters take place in certain areas where they will spawn in. However, all of these tend to be quite trivial and easy and they do not pose much of a challenge.
There are only a few "boss" enemies and surprisingly, most are relegated to the side quests, which are completely optional. A few of the boss fights are challenging and take a few tries to get through. Unfortunately, whenever you fail to beat the boss it feels like a cheap/unfair death though - it usually happens because of what feels like a random attack, or as a result of the ground breaking and falling to your death.
As flawed as the game is - it is also what makes it so much fun. Very early on you get the telekinesis ability, which gives you the ability to pick up objects and hurl them at enemies. The interactivity of this ability is insane - you will pick up chairs, fire hydrants, desks, parts of the walls, enemies, etc. It is also a bit overpowered and one of the reasons why the game feels easy, but the destruction caused and the chaos that ensues is incredibly satisfying.
The plot doesn't make much sense, but the setting in which the game takes place - the "Oldest House" - is incredible. At first blush, it is a simple office building, but thanks to the paranormal and supernatural setting and events, what would normally appear to be a simple office environment turns into some really strange and incredible set pieces. Case in point - there is one set piece near the end of the game that is quite simply one of the best set pieces to play through in recent memory.
This is one of the best looking games on the market right now, and it is also one of the few games to make extensive use of ray tracing if you have the graphics card. When turned on the game looks incredible. It is a very demanding game though - running 3440x1440 everything set to max (except for ray tracing debris), I was getting 40-55fps on a RTX 2080 Super. I've heard that the game doesn't run particularly well on console but I cannot confirm or verify that.
There is one DLC available currently ("The Foundation"), and another one ("AWE", which I understand will involve the Alan Wake storyline somehow) coming later this summer - I plan on picking them up when they're both released before I dive back in.
Overall, I would highly recommend this game.
