Control: AWE PC Review

Control AWE is not what I expected. Those entering this DLC expecting Alan Wake’s great return should not. Instead, this DLC serves more of what Remedy is planning for the future of Control and Alan Wake. Connecting these universes officially and teasing what the developers have in store. Instead of being an addition to Control AWE serves as an introduction of what’s to come.

AWE takes place after the events of the core game when heading to the elevator of the Executive Sector Jesse gets a vision of Alan to head to the Investigation Sector. When inside she finds out that a sentient shadow has taken over the area and the entire sector was abandoned after a calamity. The Altered Objects inside have been left behind and most importantly a deadly test subject has escaped.

This DLC is meant to connect Control to Alan Wake so expect a lot of optional collectables to showcase how the FBC contacted and interviewed people of Bright Falls. You’ll get a lot of information about not only how Bright Falls has been a continued hotspot for supernatural activity but data on how the former director was already showing signs of his eventual betrayal. It can become overwhelming at times as the game attempts to explain how these 2 universes are connected, even going as far as to open a couple of cans of worms that add to the mountain of questions already growing pile.

Those coming into this DLC expecting answers about the core game or The Foundation DLC should not. Like Alan Wake’s grand return the DLC is more of a prologue of the future. Similar to Spider-Man’s The City that Never Sleeps expansion or Mass Effect 2’s Arrival DLC AWE is what Remedy is planning to do for the future.

The Investigation Sector is mostly the same from the areas you explored in the core game. The developers did try to incorporate new elements such areas being closed off due to inactivity or the Darkness blocking off areas that require to destroy. You do see lots of remnants of what happened in the sector during its evacuation such as bodies still littered about, barricades to keep out what was chase them, and sectors quarantined.  They also tried to go for this horror direction as Jesse is hunted by an experiment within the sector that has been upgraded due to the Hiss’ resonance. Which are also present with a new enemy type, a jetpack ranger with a grenade launcher with no TK abilities. It worked with Alan Wake because he was just an ordinary guy but Jesse can literally throw forklifts. It’s hard to get scared or feel powerless when playing someone with god-like abilities.

Jesse also gains access to a new service weapon upgrade, a grenade launcher. It’s okay and does heavy damage when upgraded. The issue is since you’re facing a lot of flying enemies the precision options for the service weapon are much more ideal.

Unlike The Foundation where you had a large new area to explore and incredible Altered Objects to cleanse AWE falls short in both categories. You’re mostly exploring same-looking areas and there are Altered Objects to encounter, including one that hints at the possibility of alien life which could’ve been amazing. However, these all just fetch quests with little payoff. Unlike the Television or Camera from the Foundation that provided distinct side missions that took advantage of the object here is just tedious busywork. There is an arcade machine that has optional combat challenges but its more of an extension to the Jukebox missions already offered.

The final boss encounter is interesting but underwhelming. For example, you see that this creature is killing Hiss in a scripted event but when you face the creature in active combat they work together. This could’ve been an interesting concept where different interdimensional threats attacking one another in a huge battle. Instead, it’s just a battle where you sometimes turn back on the generators.

The greatest appeal in AWE is the collectables. They provide much more context into the world of Control by showing that Jesse isn't the first to discover Altered Items or the FBC. Keeping these things secret has been troublesome and the FBC has its share of mistakes and false abductions. We also see that these dangerous items can be artificially created through horrible acts and there's a market for these items. With people selling supernatural items, well aware of the destructive potential these things hold. It's truly amazing but we only get a glimpse into these things.

AWE is an average expansion. It provides more Control, which is great, but it’ll only appeal to diehard fans of the game. The Investigation Sector had the promise to be this huge abandoned area where Altered Objects have gone amuck due to lack of security or showing more information on the people who sell and create Altered Objects. If you’re wondering what Remedy has in store for the future of Control then AWE will provide the answers along with lots of questions. AWE is a lukewarm ending to Jesse’s tale in Control that could’ve been a bigger bang.

Adam Siddiqui,
Managing Editor, NoobFeed
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