Though Remedy Entertainment announced Control 2 back in 2022, we’ve yet to hear any updates on its release. Still, fans can rest assured—it’s in development. While the original Control offered a host of enjoyable features, there’s definite room for improvement in several aspects in the sequel. One key area for enhancement is the game’s traversal mechanics, particularly the flight system, which shows potential but fell short in the first game.
For those who experienced Control, its various gameplay mechanics stand out, with traversal, including flight, forming a major component. Yet, these elements didn’t quite hit the mark, leading to a system that felt somewhat unpolished. This falls perfectly into Remedy’s lap as an opportunity to refine and expand these elements for Control 2. By working on improving the first game’s traversal elements and possibly adding new dimensions, they can elevate the experience significantly.
### Control 2 Needs to Refine the First Game’s Traversal
#### Control’s Traversal Mechanics Feel Off in a Lot of Ways
To see where Control 2 might enhance the first game’s traversal mechanics, we need to explore where they initially faltered. One noticeable hiccup is with Jesse’s levitation ability, which often feels, ironically, quite unsteady. In the original game, this ability can make precise movements in tight spots tricky, causing more frustration than excitement. The linearity of Jesse’s flight path also hampers gameplay, restricting quick directional changes mid-flight, which disrupts the flow of both combat and exploration, pulling players out of the immersive experience.
During combat, the issues with the flight mechanics become even more apparent. While levitating, Jesse becomes an easy target for enemies, making the ability more of a liability than an asset in battle, beyond simply gaining some height or dodging attacks. Furthermore, the level design in certain areas doesn’t fully accommodate the levitation mechanic, with ceilings or invisible walls often hindering seamless exploration, which breaks immersion for players.
#### Control 2 Presents an Opportunity to Improve the First Game’s Traversal Mechanics
Identifying the shortcomings in Control’s flight mechanics allows Control 2 to expand and refine this system, making it more integrated and fluid. The sequel should focus on enhancing Jesse’s air-control abilities, allowing smoother adjustment of speed, more precise hovering, and swift dashes while airborne. These improvements could make flight feel responsive—a quality much needed in the first game. Additionally, designing levels with greater verticality and minimizing invisible barriers would further complement a robust flight system.
Moreover, integrating levitation more seamlessly into combat presents another exciting opportunity. Control 2 could offer airborne bonuses on weapon accuracy or introduce levitation-linked abilities, encouraging players to utilize flight in strategic ways. Expanding combat skills to include aerial maneuvers, like ground slams or powerful mid-air combos, would enhance the dynamic action sequences. A skill tree or upgrade path focusing on aerial mobility, speed, or stamina could provide a sense of progression in line with Jesse’s journey.
Ultimately, Remedy Entertainment has a thrilling chance with Control 2 to significantly improve the traversal mechanics—flight in particular—from the first game. By addressing the system’s precision and control, embracing vertical exploration, and introducing new combat tactics tied to flight, Control 2 won’t just overcome previous shortcomings but could revolutionize the gameplay experience altogether.
