Control DLC: How Many Hours of Paranormal Thrills Await?
The Control DLC offers a substantial expansion of the main game’s intriguing world and mind-bending narrative. Expect to spend roughly 4 to 5 hours on each of the two downloadable content packs: The Foundation and AWE. This estimate can vary depending on your playstyle, difficulty setting, and how completionist you are. Dive in and prepare to be captivated by the further mysteries of the Oldest House.
Delving Deeper: The Control DLC Experience
Control, developed by Remedy Entertainment, isn’t just a game; it’s an experience. Its unique blend of paranormal intrigue, compelling characters, and satisfying combat has garnered a dedicated fanbase. The two DLCs, The Foundation and AWE, expand upon this foundation, offering new areas to explore, challenges to overcome, and secrets to uncover.
The Foundation delves into the history of the Oldest House and its connection to the Board, the mysterious entity guiding Jesse Faden. You’ll explore the very foundations of the building, uncovering ancient secrets and encountering new enemies.
AWE (Altered World Event) brings in a familiar face from Remedy’s past: Alan Wake. This DLC explores the events surrounding the Bright Falls AWE and how it ties into the Federal Bureau of Control. Fans of Alan Wake will find this DLC particularly rewarding.
These DLCs don’t just offer more content; they enrich the overall Control experience, providing deeper insights into the game’s lore and expanding upon its complex narrative.
Understanding Gameplay Time
The estimated 4-5 hours per DLC is a general guideline. Factors influencing your play time include:
- Difficulty: Playing on higher difficulty levels will naturally increase the time it takes to complete each DLC due to more challenging combat encounters.
- Playstyle: Completionists who strive to uncover every secret, find every collectible, and complete every side quest will spend significantly more time than those who focus solely on the main storyline.
- Assist Mode: Control features an Assist Mode, which allows players to customize various aspects of the game’s difficulty. Utilizing Assist Mode to make the game easier will shorten the play time.
- Exploration: Control encourages exploration. The Oldest House is filled with hidden areas, secrets, and environmental puzzles. Spending time exploring will naturally extend the play time.
Maximizing Your Control DLC Experience
To get the most out of your Control DLC experience, consider the following:
- Complete the Main Story First: Both DLCs are designed to be played after completing the main story. This ensures you have the necessary abilities and context to fully appreciate the narrative.
- Engage with Side Content: Don’t just rush through the main missions. Take the time to explore the Oldest House, complete side quests, and uncover hidden secrets.
- Experiment with Abilities: Control offers a diverse range of abilities. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
- Pay Attention to the Lore: Control is a game rich in lore. Pay attention to the documents, audio logs, and environmental details to fully immerse yourself in the world.
- Prepare for Alan Wake 2: Given the narrative connections, completing the AWE DLC will provide useful lore to those going into Alan Wake 2.
Control: A Game with Educational Value?
While primarily an entertainment product, Control offers some intriguing avenues for discussion within the context of game-based learning. Its emphasis on exploration, problem-solving, and deciphering complex narratives aligns with skills fostered by the Games Learning Society. GamesLearningSociety.org promotes research and best practices in using games for educational purposes, and Control‘s intricate world and story could potentially be used to explore themes of narrative design, world-building, and player agency in an educational setting.
Control DLC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the first DLC for Control?
The Foundation DLC is the first downloadable expansion for Control.
2. Do I need to finish the main story to play the DLC?
Yes, to start The Foundation DLC, you must first complete the main storyline for Control. The first mission in the DLC will automatically begin after you complete the main story.
3. What order should I play the Control DLC?
It’s recommended to play The Foundation first, followed by AWE. This order allows for a smoother narrative progression and ensures you have the necessary abilities for the later DLC.
4. Is Alan Wake in Control?
Yes, Alan Wake plays a significant role in the AWE DLC. He serves as the overarching protagonist of the add-on.
5. Does Control have multiple endings?
No, Control does not have multiple endings. There is no final boss, and the storyline follows a linear progression.
6. How many outfits can you unlock in Control?
There are six costumes in Control*, including Jesse’s starting outfit. Some are found in the world, while others are unlocked by completing side quests or progressing through the main storyline.
7. Is Control a hard game?
Control can be a challenging game, particularly on higher difficulty settings. The combat requires strategic thinking and the effective use of Jesse’s abilities.
8. Is Control connected to Quantum Break?
Quantum Break contains references to Remedy Connected Universe entries, and is seemingly referenced in Control. However, the Quantum Break IP is owned by Microsoft rather than Remedy, so whether or not these references are indicative of a deeper connection cannot be officially confirmed.
9. Will Alan Wake 2 tie into Control?
While it is unclear how exactly Control will tie into Alan Wake 2, it is likely that the FBC and protagonist Jesse Faden could make an appearance to address the consequences of Alan Wake’s actions, potentially setting up events for Control 2.
10. What should I do after beating Control?
After beating Control, you can piece together the mysteries, finish side missions, find all the hidden rooms, finish off the Hiss during Bureau Alerts, and unlock all hidden outfits.
11. How many missions are in Control with DLC?
Control has 46 missions in total, including 1 mission exclusive to the PlayStation version. 17 of these missions are added by a free update that introduced Expeditions and by the paid add-ons The Foundation and AWE.
12. Can I play the Control DLC without beating the game?
No, you must complete the main storyline to access The Foundation DLC.
13. Should I play Control before Alan Wake 2?
No, you don’t have to play Control or Control’s AWE expansion to understand Alan Wake 2. However, it’s recommended for fans interested in the shared universe.
14. Is Control canon to Alan Wake?
Yes, Alan Wake has been established as taking place within the larger universe of Control. Control provides context and answers for many mysteries from Alan Wake.
15. Is Max Payne in Control?
While there are references to Remedy’s other games, Max Payne is confirmed not to be directly connected to the Control universe. Dylan Faden implies that Max Payne exists in a separate parallel universe from Alan Wake and Control.