This week, Game Informer released a new episode of their podcast (episode 440), with hosts Ben Hanson, Leo Vader, Elise Favis and Brian Shea discussing a range of games including Devil May Cry 5, Days Gone, Ape Out, as well as talking to Glen Schofield, and breaking down what the team thought of their exclusive look at Control.
The podcast is almost three hours long and is available to listen to or watch on the Game Informer website, HERE (archived).
Following their Control-themed April cover reveal, Game Informer is dedicating the following month to the game with exclusives, interviews and new footage being released throughout March. The latest issue is out now and is available to download or buy (if you're in the US) as a physical magazine.
As with our coverage of Game Informer's 94 Rapid Fire Interview, we have a breakdown of everything that was announced during the podcast in regards to Control. Of course, if you have time, you should check out the podcast as there's a really nice discussion about the game in addition to the new teasers.
Our Breakdown: A number of things were discussed in the Control segment of the podcast including "Objects of Power", which unlocks different skills, allowing Jesse is mix combinations together to perform more complex manoeuvres such as air dodge (combining levitation and dodge). Given the open world and "multi-dimensional" nature of the FBC, the Objects of Power can be collected different orders depending on how you explore the world. These Objects of Power have been retrieved around the globe and are stored in the Oldest House to be protected and catalogued, it's this that makes the world of Control packed with lore. The Oldest House is also described as a "place of power" with multi-dimensions existing within one location, and whose architecture of a 1960s office often contrasts with the recent supernatural infestation or modern inventions that have been brought in over the decades.
The biggest surprise for the GI Show hosts was Remedy's breakdown and rebuild of their AI system, now called Encounter Director, which moves Control away from scripted encounters such as the enemy ambushes found in Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break. The new build is targeted for use in less linear games and is wave-based with enemy strength dependent on location and progress. It was this new combat approach that Game Informer's playtest focused on, with a hands-on demo taking place in the lobby, previously shown at last year's E3.
As the Hiss spreads through the FBC, taking over the agents, the possession is described as a virus with the employees in various "phases of a disease", meaning that while some of the agents have only faced a partial takeover and will fight more like humans, there are some which have been more extensively possessed. For these agents, they may have similar skills to Jesse and will appear less human. There are also bigger and weirder fights reserved for battles in the Astral Plane, where Jesse will add to her skill list. It's in these combat scenes where Jesse's powers shine, and she can craft a shield out of rubble or turn weakened enemies into sentries.
Another aspect which stood out for the GI team was the improvements in technology when it came to the environmental impact that the player. Destruction plays a major part in Control with Jesse using the world around her occasionally as a shield or a weapon. The team described it as "sandbox destruction" with a number of items, highlighted subtly to not break immersion, available at Jesse's disposal. Items thrown at the wall creates a concave impression, a detail that the play testers were impressed with and credited to the impressive work of the Northlight team.
From the footage seen, the writers came away with Alan Wake vibes with the approach to mysteries, and connections to the work of Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch, there was also a comparison to Variable State's game, Virginia. Unlike previous games, Control was developed with the "world first, story after" approach.
Throughout the month there will be more things to look forward to from Game Informer's coverage including a video on the developer's new motion capture video, in addition to a closer look at Jesse's abilities, her service weapon, the story, the Oldest House, and side missions. Check out Game Informer's hub,
