Control vs. Control Ultimate Edition: What’s the Real Difference?
The main difference between Control and Control Ultimate Edition boils down to content and platform access. The original Control is the base game, a thrilling action-adventure set within the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control. Control Ultimate Edition, on the other hand, bundles the base game together with all of its downloadable content (DLC), specifically “The Foundation” and “AWE” expansions. This not only provides a more comprehensive experience but also includes enhancements for next-generation consoles.
In simple terms, if you’re looking for the full Control experience, including all story content and any applicable next-gen upgrades, then the Ultimate Edition is the way to go. The standard Control is a great game on its own, but it lacks the narrative depth and extra playtime found within the DLCs, and does not come with a free upgrade path for next-gen platforms.
What You Get With Control Ultimate Edition
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the Ultimate Edition brings to the table:
- The Base Game: The core Control experience, where you play as Jesse Faden, navigating the bizarre and shifting Oldest House, a building that houses the Federal Bureau of Control.
- The Foundation Expansion: This DLC delves deeper into the origins and mysteries of the Oldest House, revealing more about the Bureau’s history and Jesse’s own powers. It features new environments, enemies, abilities, and story content, providing a significant addition to the overall narrative.
- AWE Expansion: This DLC crosses over with another Remedy Entertainment title, Alan Wake, bringing a new level of intrigue and horror. You’ll investigate altered world events (AWEs) and encounter familiar characters in this chilling expansion.
- Next-Gen Upgrades: A crucial selling point, the Ultimate Edition is the only version of Control that provides free upgrades for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, allowing players to take advantage of their next-generation console’s power, with graphical enhancements and improved performance.
- One Convenient Package: All the content is bundled together into a single package. This simplifies purchasing and ensures players don’t have to acquire each piece separately, making it a better value.
Why the Difference Matters
The distinction between these two versions is not just about content but also upgrade eligibility. Owners of the original Control game (whether physical or digital) are not eligible for the free upgrade to the next-gen versions of the game. Only those who own the Ultimate Edition are able to benefit from this upgrade, providing enhancements such as improved graphical fidelity and the option to choose between a Performance mode and a Graphics mode on newer consoles.
Furthermore, the Ultimate Edition is often seen as the definitive edition of the game, which is why it has become the standard choice for new players or those returning to the game who want all of the content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarification:
1. Is Control Ultimate Edition just the base game with all DLC?
Yes, exactly. Control Ultimate Edition includes the base game alongside all the released DLC expansions: “The Foundation” and “AWE”. It is designed to provide a complete Control package experience.
2. Does the Ultimate Edition come with all outfits?
No. The Ultimate Edition only contains the base game and the two expansions. It does not include any pre-order costumes, crafting materials, or the PS4-exclusive astral dive suit that were available with certain standard editions of the game. Some even say that the PS4-exclusive side mission from the PS4 season pass is missing.
3. Is the Ultimate Edition a free upgrade for original Control owners?
No. The free upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions is exclusive to owners of Control Ultimate Edition. If you own the standard version of Control, you need to purchase the Ultimate Edition to get the next-gen upgrade.
4. Is Control a hard game?
Yes, Control is known for its difficulty. It doesn’t have an adjustable difficulty setting, and some players experience difficulty spikes and sporadic save points.
5. How long does it take to complete Control and its DLCs?
When focusing on the main story, Control takes about 11 ½ hours. To complete everything, including all DLCs and side content, expect to spend roughly 28 ½ to 35 hours.
6. What is the story of Control about?
You play as Jesse Faden, who arrives at the mysterious Oldest House, seeking her kidnapped brother Dylan. She uncovers the secrets of the Federal Bureau of Control, a government agency tasked with dealing with paranormal events.
7. How many DLCs does Control have?
Control has two DLC storylines: “The Foundation” and “AWE”. The Ultimate Edition is the only version that includes both of them.
8. How do I access the DLC in Control Ultimate Edition?
“The Foundation” DLC automatically begins after completing the main story. “AWE” can also be started from within the game after completing certain prerequisites.
9. Do save files transfer over from the previous version of Control to the Ultimate Edition?
No. Save files do not transfer over from previous generation consoles to the next-gen versions of the game because they are using different engine versions.
10. Is Control based on the SCP Foundation?
Yes, Control draws inspiration from the SCP Foundation, a collaborative fictional project about a secret organization that secures and studies anomalous entities and objects.
11. Is Control connected to Alan Wake?
Yes, Control and Alan Wake share a connected universe within the Remedy Connected Universe. There are in-game references and cameos that tie the games together.
12. Is Control a horror game?
Control is a blend of action, adventure, sci-fi, horror and mystery, with a heavy emphasis on the paranormal. It contains some intense and scary elements, but it is not exclusively a horror game.
13. How many missions are in Control Ultimate Edition?
Control has 46 missions in total, including 1 mission exclusive to the PlayStation version, and 17 from the free updates and paid DLC add-ons. All missions, except for the PS-exclusive, are included in the Ultimate Edition.
14. What does the DLC for Control add?
The DLCs add new story content, new areas to explore, new abilities, sidequests, mods, collectibles, and more. Specifically, The Foundation is a map to explore, and AWE has new enemies.
15. What is the difference between deluxe and Ultimate Edition?
The Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, and also includes all of the story content being released the first year of the game. The main selling point of the deluxe edition is that it comes with bonus cosmetics, and while the Ultimate Edition can come with cosmetics, it may not be the same as a deluxe edition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Control Ultimate Edition is more than just a re-release of the original Control. It is the definitive way to experience the game, providing all the content, next-gen upgrades, and a streamlined purchasing experience. While the standard version is a great game, the Ultimate Edition is the recommended choice for new players and those looking for the full Control experience on next-gen consoles. If you want to dive into the strange and dangerous world of the Oldest House, this is the version to choose.