Do you need to play
Control before
Control Resonant?
A spoiler-free guide to where you can start, what the DLC adds, and when a recap is enough.
NEXT UP GUIDE / SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 / PRE-RELEASE GUIDE
Official reveal imagery: Remedy Entertainment / PlayStation Blog. Copyright belongs to the respective rights holders.
No—Remedy says you do not need to play the first Control before Control Resonant. The developer describes the new game as an entry point for newcomers, while returning players will recognize connections to the earlier story. Read Remedy’s announcement on PlayStation Blog.
That settles the requirement. Your preference is a different question: would you rather discover the earlier story for yourself, or get straight to the new game that caught your attention?
You do not need to turn that decision into a race through an entire series. Pick the route that fits what you actually want to play.
01 / YOUR STARTING POINTWhere are you in the story?
The recommendations below are our editorial choices, based on Remedy’s newcomer-friendly positioning—not a required play order from the studio.
New here?
You have never played Control, and Resonant is the game you want
Start with Resonant
A fresh entry without adding another game to your queue
Want the full first story?
You want to discover the earlier story without knowing where it leads
Play Control first; skip recap videos for now
Experiencing the original in its own time
Played it years ago?
You finished Control years ago but have forgotten the details
Consider the official recap linked below
A refresher instead of a full replay
DLC still unfinished?
You finished the main game but left the DLC unfinished
Do not treat unfinished DLC as an automatic reason to postpone Resonant
Starting now versus exploring more of the earlier game
Love every connection?
You enjoy following every connection
Take your time with the earlier games and expansions
A broader series project, rather than launch-day preparation
02 / THE ORIGINALWhat does Control add?
Control follows Jesse Faden; Resonant shifts the focus to her brother, Dylan. That relationship is part of Remedy’s public premise, not a twist we are revealing here. The original lets you experience Jesse’s side of the story before moving on. Source: Remedy’s reveal announcement.
Our advice: choose Control first if the earlier story interests you on its own. If the only reason is a feeling that you must complete your homework, the developer’s guidance gives you room to skip that homework.
03 / THE EXPANSIONSWhat about the DLC?
We would not make completing both expansions a condition for starting Resonant. That is our recommendation based on the standalone positioning—not a claim that their stories will have no relevance.
For anyone deciding whether to return, here is what the expansions offer without getting into their plot reveals:
- The Foundation explores more of the Oldest House and adds story content and side missions.
- AWE takes you into a sealed-off sector of the Bureau and adds another story within Control.
The original game’s official expansion overview describes both. That page includes more story detail than this guide.
If you already own Control Ultimate Edition, the main game, The Foundation, and AWE are included. Check your existing edition before buying expansion content separately. Source: the official Control website.
04 / THE WIDER UNIVERSEAnd Alan Wake?
The connection is real: Sam Lake describes Control and Alan Wake as sharing a universe, with AWE helping set up Alan Wake 2. That establishes a connection; it does not, by itself, establish a mandatory checklist for Resonant. Source: Sam Lake’s official Alan Wake article.
For this decision, we would avoid buying another series solely to prepare for Resonant. Follow that branch if its premise appeals to you. We are not claiming to have played through Resonant or assessed every reference in it.
05 / CATCH UPAlready played? Refresh your memory.
PlayStation published “Control Resonant – Previously on Control” on September 11. It is the official recap option for readers who want to revisit the earlier events. Open the video on PlayStation’s verified YouTube channel.
Spoiler warning: treat this as a recap of the first game, not a spoiler-free trailer. If you plan to experience Control’s story for yourself, leave the video for later.
Play at your pace.
The announced PS5 release date is September 24, 2026. Source: Remedy’s launch announcement.
That is a release date, not a deadline for your backlog. If you choose the original, give it the time you want. If you choose Resonant, you are taking a route the developer explicitly supports.
This guide uses developer statements and official product information. It contains no ending explanations or hands-on verdict on Resonant. Optional play-order suggestions are Next Up Guide’s editorial recommendations.
Next Up Guide 