Control | A Complete History and Retrospective

Hey Dad,
Today we're going to take another look at Remedy's Universe by talking about Control. Does Control still hold up? Let's find out.
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CHAPTERS
Intro 0:00
Development 3:56
Control 8:33
DLC 45:24
Remedy Connected Universe 54:40
Final Thoughts 57:01

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

How do you feel about Control Dad? 😎😎

[@gabrielgonzales5907]

To me it felt like an interactive Stanly Kubric film. Like The Shining. I especially loved the DLC connected to Alan Wake.

[@vibe1337]

I like it very much and I think everybody should have played it. Great game made by great developers.. ❤

[@alwaysxnever]

One of if not my favorite game to date. The mobility, the modifications. You have a female lead game where the entire cast just shines. The service weapon is such an inspired weapon . It's interesting that I didn't get to play the 80s platform not did I fight the anti Jesse. Did you have the small task of the fellow looking for a "head"?

[@RazorBladezX]

I wish I could delete my memory of this game to experience the insanity of this game . So good

[@tomhibbert6486]

I feel intrigued by it

[@LockeTheCole]

My favorite part about the Old Gods' Take Control song is it spells out the entire plot, including the ending but upon playing through the maze you really don't realize it. It's not until finishing the game that it becomes clear if you go back and listen to it again.

[@wwyd4akb]

poets of the fall are incredible artists

[@coolsenjoyer]

The tango song does similar thing but it's about all the Remedy game protagonists.

[@theexchipmunk]

The SCP shorthand has to be an SCP itself for how often I hear the full name stated wrong. SCP stands for Secure Contain Protect.

[@jacktarot9512]

I was introduced to this masterpiece during the 1st Lockdown for COVID-19 during University. I had no lessons, I was stuck living alone during those three months, Control really kept my mind sane by giving me such a gorgeous adventure through the Oldest House. I yearn for Control II.

[@jackdearman5880]

Shoutout to Control for being one of the rare games that seems to understand that majority of accessibility issues are solved if you have an infinite life option.

[@bixmcgoo5355]

@@yamsSMP let's be completely honest: if certain groups think that they are not properly represented or accommodated in video games that are currently out, they should make their own. it's not a game maker's responsibility to ensure that people with no hands can have the same experience as a normal person.

[@jesustyronechrist2330]

@@bixmcgoo5355 Kinda true, but also: We can do better. It sure takes extra effort. Having someone be able to play your game when they wouldn't have otherwise is worth it... Right? The thing is: We cannot really demand it, but we should expect it.

[@bixmcgoo5355]

@@jesustyronechrist2330 You absolutely should not expect it, though. You can definitely see it as a nice treat, a neat extra, but to *expect* a game developer to put in a large amount of work for a miniscule fraction of the population, with no guarantee that it will return any extra profit, is the self entitlement of a child.

[@jesustyronechrist2330]

@@bixmcgoo5355 Yeah... That's a bad take, bud... Very ironic too, with that self-entitlement comment. I hope you learn the value of accessibility when you are older.

[@BigAbuelaEnergy]

@@yamsSMP I appreciate the nuance you’re introducing here. Subtitles alone go a long way for accessibility, not only for hearing impaired but even for those with auditory processing issues (me).

[@ThePeasantsRejoice]

I played Control a couple of summers ago without knowing much about it beforehand, and it was one of my favorite gaming experiences in a very long time. I look forward to learning more about it. Your consistency and quality are a thing of beauty, kiddo.

[@lightningmonky7674]

Same, remedy has restored my hope for original and badass modern gaming, there are still great AAA developers out there, and if it's not triple A they certainly make it feel that way

[@Theover4000]

As an aviation guy, when I found the Catalina floatplane towards the end of the game, I looked over it from a detail-oriented perspective and it was surprisingly well detailed. Just the fact that a one-off prop in the game is so detailed really tells me how much love and effort went into the game, and I'm glad I played it through. I really want to 100% it at some point. Also excited for Control 2.

[@betteryou7hanme]

Bro, I thought the notification said, "Contra: A completely history and retrospective." and thought we were really about to go deep on 10 pages of plot and lore. 😂

[@FlickTheBrick]

It’s impressive how you keep pumping out these behemoths without any dip in quality. Keep up the great work! I absolutely loved Control, can’t wait to watch your retrospective!

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the video.

[@tomhibbert6486]

@@YourFavoriteSon1 we all are

[@jacopoveronese81]

The Motel was also a great shoutout to a miniseries that came out in 2006 called The Lost Room, which involved everyday objects with bizarre powers. Worth a watch.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Yooooo, I genuinely thought I was the only one that ever saw this show. Rented it from Family Video when I was like 12

[@jubileechambers2604]

I cannot express how thrilled I am that more people know about that show. I remember loving it immensely.

[@Ricothekitten]

You just unlocked a memory, I had completely forgotten that show existed

[@Road_to_Dawn]

This show played a huge part of defining my childhood! Well, I say childhood, but I was more like 16 when I saw it. But I was obsessed with it and how amazingly bizarre it was! And the entire time I played Control, it genuinely felt like I was playing a part of that universe, and it was just the absolute coolest thing ever. The Lost Room is an absolute gem.

[@kayla8402]

I haven't gone back and checked but fyi it was available on prime just a couple months ago.

[@luckywallace]

I loved Control, it's an awesome game and world. Also, The Ashtray Maze has to be one of the best levels / sections I've ever played, not too far off the Mass Effect 2 suicide mission.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Such a wild moment

[@MultiKamil97]

I always compare it to the Fun House from Max Payne 2 😁

[@asturias0267]

This is one of my favorite games of all time and it's also my first (and only so far) Remedy game I've played. As an SCP fan, I had to play this game when I saw it. Btw, the more recent SCPs seem to be of much higher quality than a lot of the older stuff. SCP-7005 (The Neon God), SCP-7034 (Æ is for Aerials), and SCP-4833 (The Syncope Symphony) are all really good.

[@louisvictor3473]

I think it makes sense that world building outshines the main story. The game is really centred around it, and given the scp strong influence, it is no surprise (scp is basically distilled world building). Though I also think that the world building sort of is the story, or actually short stories? I think the game has a good touch of lovecraftian mythos (sans popular aesthetics, which are a mistake anyways), and the mythos is really just about short stories glued by world building.

[@Sir_Lockmane]

I've been looking forward to this one, Son. I've really enjoyed the retrospective series, and the Remedy games especially. Keep up the awesome work, proud of you.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Thanks Dad

[@SgtGitaroo]

Control is an incredibly underrated game. Love the world so much. The gameplay could have been bad and I would probably still love it. Can't wait for a sequel. Also, the Ashtray Maze sequence is one of those video game moments I'll never forget. Transcendent.

[@Enigamis]

I have never been disappointed by your reviews. Thank you for putting so much work and hours into these videos. I hope you are getting plenty of rest between each of these.

[@gruthakhul100]

this game single-handedly brought back my excitement for story-driven games - I loved every minute of it and very much look forward to the sequel!

[@jaimeesquivel1729]

I believe this video is your best work to date. The way you explained Control's gameplay and premise, along with the heavy ties with the Remedy Universe, is amazing.

[@That_guy_mike.]

Just got around to finally playing through Control and something that really impressed me was that wasn’t mentioned was just how well this game handled feedback during combat specifically in communicating enemy deaths to the player. Despite how chaotic the combat gets, there was never a single point in the game where I wasn’t sure that I landed a kill and the style of that explosion of distorted mist was always cool, never got old and was so effective at letting me know I was winning. Little things that are so vital to the player experience and it was great seeing how much care remedy put into it

[@drunkengamerofficial6186]

my guy you are cranking these videos out and I am here for all of them. Bravo!

[@eppinizer]

Its Sunday! You know what that means? Cleaning the house while listening to my favorite Son :)

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Happy Sonday

[@CChissel]

YES DUDE! Control surprised me a lot when it came out, I loved it. Not only was it incredibly intriguing and mysterious (I love a good esoteric mystery) but the game play was a lot of fun and really cool. Another retrospective of a video game I love, it seems most of games you pick are ones I enjoy immensely. Thanks Son, proud of you.

[@michaelrosales1539]

I just want to say that your videos are top-notch, like the games you cover. This Remedy series truly shines as an example of what pays off with hard work and professionalism to a caliber I haven't seen in a while. I wish nothing but the best for you and your future endeavors and I am excited to see you grow to new heights. Take care.

[@soxxks]

Thank you for putting DLC talk at the end! I've been trying to watch videos on control, I'm playing it myself, but I don't want spoilers for that littered throughout.

[@derekbum]

Yesssss. Been waiting for you to cover this!

[@RyanGravelle616]

Great job son! Control is one my favorite games in a long time and I couldn't put it down.

[@Kuronosa]

Holy Crap Son! I would have hoped that you were going to take some time, but 1 week each in a row for Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and then Control? Not saying it's a bad thing, but remember to pace yourself.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Gotta give ya that CONTENT

[@boomer150]

I loved every bit of Control, the story was so strange yet understandable. An open world yet not an open world at the same time. The DLC was amazing as well, this was Remedy's BOTW. It really put them on the map. I understand Control 2 is in the works and I can't wait

[@Funko777]

More like Remedy's *insert Soulsborne series game here* because that's the exact format they used. About as removed from BotW as you can get

[@GREENF0X17]

I've been waiting for this video ever since I found your channel!

[@thegavinside]

Another total banger. I started playing Control but never got round to finishing it. This makes me want to give it another shot.

[@Wolfbane971]

Control has been one of my favorite games in a long while

[@bbqchickenalbert]

Just watched the Alan Wake one and this comes up

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Good timing Dad

[@RazorBladezX]

Son once again you come out with a absolute banger

[@PaceBreaker]

Haven't played this but it's in my list. It's pretty cool how they created this shared universe. The world building is astounding! It really does have a similar feel to old shows like Twin Peaks, The X-Files and even Fringe. Thanks for diving in and taking folks along for the ride.

[@bamhamer]

I love control so much. The world design and artstyle are so unique and captivating. Before i played it i thought a game that takes place in one giant building has to be pretty repetitive and boring. Boy was i wrong. It's so meticulously crafted ❤

[@HollowMask159]

Threshold Kids is the best/worst/funniest/most terrifying I've seen in a bit.

[@TheElpulvo]

SCP= Secure .Contain. Protect..not control... just to be that guy 😄

[@abdoulazizdia9604]

its like you read my mind i was waiting for this. Gonna be a good watch

[@ladyzoe5734]

I adore this game! Bf and coworker where both hounding me to play it back in like 2020, finally did and wow. It was so strange, bizarre, confusing at times but in the most fun ways that made it feel like you were genuinely exploring the bureau as an outsider. So stylish and captivating. Now I can see the VanDermeer influence(maybe my favorite book trilogy ever lol).

[@LiminalMan777]

Just fantastic stuff, I’d never even really heard of this game but this was still a fascinating listen

[@kevinr7216]

Woooh i forgot about how Alan said he needed an "invisible door"....and now we have Warlin Door who very much IS Martin Hatch (Lance was originally to be cast as Mr Door in AW2 before he veeeery sadly passed away) sure enough creating an invisible door from Alan's writers room to the version of the dark place he needs to be in, ugh i could go on forever i freakin LOVE THIS UNIVERSE TOO MUCH...

[@CaptainEggcellent]

Love your videos 👍🏻

[@o5-693]

I've been waiting for this video woooo

[@tpkluesner]

This was my top 3 games of 2019. So refreshing and just so interesting. One of the games I read EVERY. SINGLE. FILE. 10/10

[@KRisziFicaTion]

Amazing video, once again!

[@thesummerofmark]

Another/additional banger video/tape from my/person FavoriteSon/Relative

[@K81Sweden]

Finally!!!❤ how I waited for this

[@sawadatsunayoshi8887]

Been wanting to check out Control for a long time now. This review will help me make a decision. Thanks Son!

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

It's really great

[@thewritermichaelis200]

It’s a great game bro def give it a shot!

[@AD3SPG]

Yeah I haven't seen anything as unique and fun since psi ops on og Xbox

[@RazorBladezX]

ZERO POINT BREAKTHROUGH

[@bradreed4414]

This was one of the few games I’ve preordered before launch. I was never sad about that love it. Probably going to do a replay of it in a lull of game releases

[@IanWatson]

55:56 Oh hey, that's the thing I Tweeted at you. :3 Incidentally, it's hard to see due to the lighting in the room, but one of the pictures of Jesse at the top of the whiteboard at 34:45 shows her meeting someone in a coffee shop. She's only seen from the back, but that someone's clothing is a dead ringer for Beth Wilder's clothes (the Beth who got trapped in the past and lived through it). As with many things in the RCU, it's hard to say if this is just an Easter egg or an intentional connective thread. Great video!

[@TikiDragon1]

Secure, Control, Protect? Dude, it's Secure, *Contain,* Protect

[@theeagleswill2928]

What a game this was my 1st remedy game and am now highly appt to go back through their game library especially with alan wake 2 coming

[@theeagleswill2928]

Edit* I didn't realize max Payne 1 and 2 were remedy and played and beat both of them when they came out so apparently I've been a big fan for years lmao who knew

[@Road_to_Dawn]

I’d played a little bit of Alan Wake back when that had first come out, but I never got too far. Control was the first Remedy game that I ever beat, and not only did I beat it, but I got the platinum on the PS4 version! I need to jump back in and play the AWE expansion, but just its existence convinced me to get the Alan Wake remaster, which I’ll probably be starting after AWE.

[@Tunayer1]

If you're taking requests, sometime in the future I'd LOVE to watch you do a history and retrospective of Returnal. Next to God of War, it's my absolutely favorite game of all time. The whole game is just peak, especially the "Ascend the Spire" music when you go up the tower towards Hyperion, and the music builds from just small notes to full on organ piano (or whatever it's called). It's a melody/song/instrumental that will stick with me until I die. Randomly I start humming the melody and get literal flashbacks to ascending the tower. It's the only game that I've played that have affected me this way.

[@navyhusky2020]

Yes. We definitely need more Returnal analyses on KZbin. That game has layers upon layers of detail and symbolism it's insane

[@Darthjosh91]

Great video 👏🏻 I can’t even imagine the insanity that will be in Control II after all the insanity that happens in Control. Hopefully Remedy doesn’t make us gamers wait too long for the sequel.

[@arioamin]

You've missed how heavily this game builds the rules of its world from ideas of the psychoanalyst Carl Jung, it is mentioned through various points of the game through the recordings of Dr. Darling that they've based much of their work from Jung's ideas but it seems that you have overlooked this as only being some in-universe reference and not dug deeper into this. In-fact the whole fabric of this game relies on his ideas. Look into Carl Jung's ideas of Synchronicity/non-causality, collective subconscious and Jungian archetypes, and lastly Jungian analysis in terms of dream symbolism

[@vibe1337]

Sweet, a new vid from my favourite boy ❤

[@spineknife2386]

When I had covid over christmas a few years ago, this game and evil within 2 kept me sane in quarantine.

[@shahrouh]

Son, do you think that Alice Wake is seeing Mr Scratch, as the reports in Control's AWE DLC indicate she is seeing an enraged Alan Wake visiting her at night?

[@tropenholzharald465]

Good work son i will watch the rest later but for now good work.

[@nutni9353]

I've been watching a lot of retrospectives and the latest batch of videos have made me realise how influential Twin Peaks is. Silent Hill and Alan Wake are examples off the top of my head.

[@franmartinez2402]

Also Inmortality or Deadly Premonition

[@Nachosbroheem]

Oh fuckkkkkkkkkk yeah, it's that time again. Been absolutely loving the Remedy series mate, keen to hear your thoughts.

[@kevinr7216]

Hearing the comment about “here’s where remedy perfected the remedy method” (paraphrasing) post-Alan Wake 2 is just a trip haha

[@Greyumopepisdn]

i havent beaten the game, but am close. glad you covered this game with your buttery smooth voice 🤌

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@shobooknight]

Great timing. Just finished the game 100%.

[@BreakyOnline]

42:35 now I know where that indie game popped up from

[@Azrel00]

Just finished this game a few days ago. I've been intrigue by this game ever since it was first announced and as a big fan of Alan Wake, I just need to play this and it was every bit as amazing as I hoped it would be.

[@MacroEido]

Surprised you didn’t mention the absence of Difficulty setting or mention the Assist Mode.

[@confused.1454]

I loved control! I bought the ultimate edition in 2022 Because there was a discount without knowing anything about the game and ended up thoroughly enjoying it. can’t wait for the sequel.

[@shaqodom2027]

23:12 on a random tangent. Idk if anyone else feels the same.. I'm about 30, and max Payne came out when I was a kid. I played it, never finished it. Not because it was bad. But because like u said, it had subtle horror subtext.. it was, I think, the second mission, or the flashback where the mother and daughter are dispatched.. The screams and the manic junkie voices talking about doing max in, not to mention the baby chime, and the visuals presented, absolutely f#cked me up!!! I was not prepared, for something so real and visceral that I, low-key checked out after that. I picked back up with MP3 and I was kinda lost. I was like this is it? It just seems like a regular Hollywood action flick. Little did I know. Little did I know. What an amazing story.. So sad. So somber. And yet so beautiful.

[@BonsaiBeard]

Proud of ya kid.

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Thanks Dad

[@luciferamigodobairro6169]

59:20 For a very scary moment I thought that was Todd Howard's face.

[@roonkolos]

The thing i enjoyed about Control the most (which is aaying a lot knowing im a bit of a fangirl for this game) is the sense of freesom it gives From movement to qeapon loadout, the ability to go arouns the place and using the Oldest House itself as a weapon thanks to the abilities it gives us, its a satisfying time. Even moreso when i learned to change my playstyle slightly: The Service Weapon is not my primary firearm. The Launch ability is. The SW is best to pick enemies off But it was the Ashtray Maze it truly came together. The ethereal vibes this building gave, the sense of flow, feeling im a stranger in a strange but oddly familiar world. Gives this sense of Alice in Wonderland awe & wonder im always looking for The best way to describe it is how Jesse described the Maze. "That. Was. Awesome."

[@andresmarcelolarapaez5938]

i replayed control just to prepare for this video, great watch

[@YourFavoriteSon1]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@matthewpelli]

Absolutely love this game!

[@gabrielgonzales5907]

Awesome!!!... thanks for covering this one as well!... Would you also cover the ps2 game Shadow of Destiny? I have some great memories playing that one through enough times to get all the endings and full story. (Edit) An updated version of that game with better voice acting was released on the psp.

[@Beeyo176]

Proud of you, Son

[@TheMechaMessiah]

Thanks son, this is in my top 5 games all time.

[@johnh4952]

platting this game on ps5 was a wonderful experience

[@AngusCable]

Random documents and audio logs: We find them stuck to notice boards, We find them under dogs. We're gonna put them in a file And give it a review When we're bored of all the gameplay, But we've nothing else to do.

[@MorticianCady]

An interesting choice of review for a game I don't here very much about

[@dullboi]

0:05:00 Hiya, just wanna point out that SCP stands for Secure, *Contain*, Protect

[@primordial2.07]

Very good vid

[@litneyloxan]

I couldn't get past a difficult combat part and put this game down out of frustration but never deleted it off my ps4 because it was so interesting and unique I knew I'd end up finishing it. The story kept me hooked and I enjoyed it, just sucked too much to be able to finish it all the way through 😂 I welcomed the spoilers, such a cool concept I'll be going back to playing eventually.

[@uctennant]

It’s only 4 years old. A bit early for a “does it still hold-up video?” Video

[@raiden_c1]

I remember i solely preordered this game cuz a game informer article compared to if David Lynch made a video game. That alone sold me on it. I didn't know it was Remedy til i played it lol

[@alextheloud]

Ah yes :) waiting for this

[@jasonworlock5113]

@YoutFavoriteSon Another great retrospective, ever think of doing one on the Batman Arkham series?

[@MrJordandurrant]

Enjoyed going back through this after Alan Wake 2. It's a very thorough analysis, thanks son. Why does nobody ever cite 'The Lost Room' miniseries as an inspiration for Control? It's always SCP. That miniseries could virtually be canon.

[@towermoss]

This was the best game I've played in years. I thoroughly recommend it.

[@lightningmonky7674]

I love this video and your thoughts you laid out here, the editing is too notch too! I think from a plot standpoint the game is impeccable, but from a character standpoint the game is barely serviceable 🤣🤣 overall tho I'd give it a 9/10. I've been asking (rhetorically) the game industry for years for a brand new *original* experience and I finally got my wish, I'm definitely going to play remedies other entries now, control was a perfect starting point for the remedy verse, I'm so excited to play AW2!

[@sparksk8er]

I think especially after Alan Wake 2, remedy is going to go full steam ahead with the story line. We havent gotten such blatant calls to the past until now

[@Fraxxxi]

And so I'm drawn ever deeper in the Oldest House and all these empty rooms

[@insaneepsilon6079]

I love the SCP wiki and this game scratches that little bit that wants to have a good cinematic game of it.

[@AdamCBM]

Good job Son!

[@MrArchimondde]

Awesomesauce!

[@congoredjr]

One my favorite video games of all time.

[@destinydewayo3702]

It's "secure contain protect" not "secure control protect"

[@xxarcangelxx143]

Secure. *Contain* . Protect.

[@Wolfenstein3000]

Son, I've been meaning to ask, will you ever potentially do a retrospective on the Persona series, or anything Shin Megami Tensei at all? I think those games would be a goldmine for a retrospective series.

[@Avenray19]

Why do I feel so proud of a Son I never had? What is this psychological wizardry!? He's a genius!