The Foundation DLC
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: 505 Games
Rrp: £11.99 (Epic)
Released: 26th March 2020
Available on: Epic (Steam in August 2020 as part of the Ultimate Edition)
Played Using: Mouse and Keyboard
Approximate game length: 5 Hours
I’ve decided to put both of the Control DLC’s into a single review because while they both add quite a lot in terms of story and world-building I don’t feel there’s really enough to justify a full review for each one seperately. Besides since you can get them as part of a season pass (or in the Ultimate Edition) it makes sense to review them at the same time.
We return to assume the role of Jesse Faden, the new Director for the Bureau of Control, as she discovers that in the depths of the Oldest House more mysteries and dangers await.
The Foundation DLC begins after the events of the main game have been completed, and by completed I mean you saw the credits roll. Once you complete the main game you are told by ‘The Board’ that something is happening in the Foundation (an area you only briefly go to in the base game) and that you are required to handle it.
As is expected from a DLC this new area has some enemies that are unique to it, the maximum level of the enemies you face has been increased, there are new personal and weapon mods and even adds a couple of extra powers for you to play with (which sadly are only useful within the Foundation).
On the whole this DLC is pretty solid and really adds to the lore and mystery of just what the Oldest House is and what is going on. Sadly its not all good as the main boss fight is a bit buggy, twice I had to restart the fight because they disappeared and then never returned. Thankfully there’s a control point right next to the entrance of the boss arena.
If you enjoyed Control then I highly recommend this DLC.
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AWE DLC
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: 505 Games
Rrp: £11.99 (Epic)
Released: 27th August 2020
Available on: Epic (Steam in August 2020 as part of the Ultimate Edition)
Played Using: Mouse and Keyboard
Approximate game length: 5 Hours
At several moments in Control there are several references and links to one of Remedy’s previous games Alan Wake. For the most part it was thought that these were just little Easter eggs and nothing more, however this DLC confirms without a shadow of a doubt that Alan Wake and Control both occur within the same world.
The AWE (Altered World Event) DLC introduces a new mechanic, well a new mechanic to Control, to those of us who played Alan Wake it will be fairly familiar. Putting it simply the dark is bad. However, it doesn’t work exactly like it does in Alan Wake… or really anything like it. In Alan Wake the darkness can hurt you and acts as a shield for your enemies. In Control the darkness saps your focus making it so you can’t use your powers.
Something to bear in mind is that unlike the Foundation DLC you don’t need to have completed the main storyline in order to access this DLC. Though perhaps before starting it maybe gain a few powers as the new enemy the DLC introduces is difficult even with all the abilities.
To someone who really loved Alan Wake and has been hungrily waiting for a sequel this DLC is like mana from heaven. Especially since this DLC very heavily hints at a sequel to Alan Wake… at least that’s my interpretation.
