Remedy Entertainment has always been known as a studio that likes to do things its own way. While that strive for individuality can lead to groundbreakingsuccesses likeMax Payne, it can also lead to games that don’t quite hit the mark with critics or audiences, such asQuantum Break. But Remedy’s willingness to always take the risks and follow its heart is a core reason why die-hard fans keep coming back time and time again, and it’s why they’re already eagerly awaitingControl 2’s launch day.
Confirmed to have entered full production back in August 2024,Control 2is well on the way now, and Remedy has continued to be surprisingly upfront about the status of the sequel. This includes the confirmation thatControl2is making a slight genre shift, and givenAlan Wake 2’s commercial reception, that shift might be for the best.
Control 2’s Genre Shift Might Be For The Best
Control 2’s Genre Shift Is a Big Risk
During Remedy Entertainment’s Capital Markets Day presentation back in November 2024, it was confirmed thatControl 2will be an action-RPG. According to Remedy itself, the originalControlwas categorized as an action-adventure game, which suggests that the upcoming sequel will include more elements associated with the role-playing genre, such as deeper skill trees, maybe some kind of loot or gear system, and potentially some kind of choice-based narrative, though that’s all purely speculation at this point.
The originalControlhas managed to build quite a strong and dedicated fan-base in the years following its 2019 release. Though different fans will have many different reasons behind their love for the game,Control’s action-adventure gameplayis likely something that resonated with most. IfControl 2changes that formula too heavily, then it might risk alienating fans of the first game.
Control 2’s Genre Shift Might Be a Risk That Needs to be Taken
But in the grand scheme of things,Control 2’s genre shiftmight be a risk that Remedy simply needs to take.Alan Wake 2received critical acclaim upon its October 2023 debut, and it quickly became the fastest-selling game in Remedy’s long history. But despite this incredibly positive reception and the game’s initial sales,Alan Wake 2is far from the major success it should be.
Back in March 2024, Remedy CEO Tero Virtala stated in a Business Review that Remedy had made back a “significant part” ofAlan Wake 2’s development and marketing costs. Eight months later, in November 2024, Virtala confirmed thatAlan Wake 2had recouped “most” of its costs. This means that over a year after launch,Alan Wake 2still hadn’t broken even, let alone made a profit.
Of course,Alan Wake 2is far from a disappointment or failure for Remedy, but it isn’t an unprecedented success either, and those stats must be playing on the minds of some Remedy higher-ups. Though Remedy hasn’t confirmed this to be the case, it’s possible thatAlan Wake 2’s commercial receptionis one of the reasonsControl 2is shifting genres. This is evidenced by Remedy’s Capital Markets Day presentation, which stated thatControl 2has the “potential to attract new players from the genre,” seemingly confirming that the sequel’s genre shift is at least in part an attempt to draw in a wider audience.
That being said,Control 2fans probably don’t need to worry about the sequel changing too much about what they loved from the original. During the same Capital Markets Day presentation,Remedy’s Sam Lakestated “We strive to create commercial hits,” but quickly followed up with “Games are ambitious, passionate, works of creative expression” and “What we create at Remedy is special, and we must never lose that.”
Control
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of over 80 awards, Control is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Blending open-ended environments with the signature world-building and storytelling of renowned developer, Remedy Entertainment, Control presents an expansive and intensely gratifying gameplay experience.A corruptive presence has invaded the Federal Bureau of Control…Only you have the power to stop it. The world is now your weapon in an epic fight to annihilate an ominous enemy through deep and unpredictable environments. Containment has failed, humanity is at stake. Will you regain control?Can you handle the bureau’s dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here.
