Control Resonant is positioned as a contender for Game of the Year 2026 due to developer Remedy Entertainment's strong history with The Game Awards, despite the game receiving mixed reviews and facing competition from stronger titles. Remedy's underdog status and financial struggles have created favorable sentiment among critics and the awards jury, which could boost the game's chances of nomination even though it has mechanical weaknesses and feels safer than the studio's previous work.
Control Resonant has become Remedy Entertainment's most successful Steam launch, peaking at over 34,000 concurrent players and achieving an 88% positive review score—nearly quadrupling the original Control's player count. The game's success is notable given Remedy's past struggles with commercial performance, with even the piracy community unusually encouraging players to purchase the title to support the studio.
Control Resonant launched today across multiple platforms, and despite illegal copies circulating online, some video game pirates are choosing to purchase the game to support developer Remedy, citing the studio's financial struggles and the game's importance as a make-or-break title for the company's survival.