Tips

Tips

Navigating the Oldest House as the new Director, Jesse Faden, can be daunting. The following tips are designed to give you an edge, ensuring you survive the Hiss invasion and uncover the FBC's deepest secrets.

Combat Strategies & Ability Prioritization

• Embrace Aggression: Unlike many cover-based shooters, Control rewards aggressive play. Jesse's health regenerates by picking up Source (blue energy) dropped by defeated enemies. Staying mobile and engaging targets directly is often safer than hiding.
• Launch is Your Best Friend: The Launch ability is arguably your most versatile offensive and defensive tool.
  • Offensive: Use it to hurl environmental objects (desks, chairs, filing cabinets) at enemies for significant damage, often staggering them. It's especially effective against shielded Hiss.
  • Defensive: Launch can also be used to clear explosive objects or even to throw enemies off ledges.
  • Upgrade Priority: Invest your Ability Points early into upgrading Launch's damage and range. The "Launch Strength" and "Launch Energy Cost" upgrades are crucial.
• Shield & Evade: While aggression is key, knowing when to defend is vital.
  • Shield: The Shield ability, once unlocked, can absorb a tremendous amount of damage. It's perfect for closing distances on heavily armed Hiss or surviving explosive attacks. Remember to drop it to regenerate energy.
  • Evade: A quick dash that makes Jesse briefly invulnerable. Use it to dodge incoming projectiles, reposition, or escape sticky situations. Upgrade its cooldown as soon as possible.
• Service Weapon Forms: Experiment with the different Service Weapon forms.
  • Grip: Your standard pistol, reliable for headshots and general combat.
  • Shatter: A shotgun-like form, devastating at close range. Excellent for Hiss Charged and Hiss Distorted.
  • Pierce: A powerful, slow-firing rifle that can penetrate multiple enemies and shields. Ideal for Hiss Elevated and Hiss Snipers.
  • Spin: A rapid-fire SMG, great for sustained damage against multiple targets or quickly breaking shields.
  • Charge: A grenade launcher that fires explosive projectiles. Perfect for crowd control and destroying Hiss Clusters.
  • Modding: Always equip Weapon Mods that complement the form's strengths (e.g., "Fire Rate" for Spin, "Projectile Speed" for Pierce, "Damage" for Shatter).

Exploration & Resource Management

• Cleanse Control Points: Whenever you encounter a red, Hiss-corrupted Control Point, cleanse it immediately. This acts as a fast travel point, a respawn point, and replenishes your health and energy. It's also how you save your game progress.
• Search Everywhere: The Oldest House is brimming with hidden secrets and valuable resources.
  • Collectibles: Look for Research & Records, Case Files, and Correspondence. These not only flesh out the lore but often provide Ability Points and Source.
  • Containers: Open every red container you find. They contain Source, Weapon Mods, and Personal Mods.
  • Hidden Areas: Use your Launch ability to break through weakened walls or access elevated platforms. Some areas are only accessible via the Levitate ability (unlocked later).
• Upgrade Your Mods: At Control Points, you can craft and upgrade Weapon and Personal Mods.
  • Weapon Mods: Focus on mods that boost damage, fire rate, and reload speed for your preferred Service Weapon forms.
  • Personal Mods: Prioritize mods that increase your health, energy, and energy regeneration. "Health Boost" and "Energy Boost" are always good choices.
  • Recycle Unused Mods: Don't hoard low-tier mods. Recycle them for Source to craft higher-tier ones.
• Side Missions & Bureau Alerts: Don't neglect side missions. They often reward unique abilities, powerful mods, or significant amounts of Ability Points and Source. Bureau Alerts are quick, repeatable combat encounters that are excellent for farming resources.

General Progression & World Interaction

• Follow the Main Story: While exploration is encouraged, progressing the main story unlocks new abilities (like Levitate and Seize) that will greatly enhance your combat and traversal options.
• Read Documents: The lore in Control is rich and fascinating. Reading the various documents scattered throughout the Oldest House provides context, hints, and often adds to the eerie atmosphere.
• Environmental Hazards: Be aware of your surroundings. The Hiss can manipulate the environment, and certain areas have dangerous elements like explosive barrels or unstable platforms. Use these to your advantage against enemies.
• Return to Previous Areas: As you unlock new abilities, revisit previously explored areas. Many sections are initially inaccessible but open up with abilities like Levitate or Seize, often leading to hidden collectibles or side quests.