Top 10 Best Control Resonant Tips & Tricks for a Strong Start

Control Resonant finally releases today, and Remedy Entertainment is taking us to a warped version of Manhattan, New York, that might surprise you. The world is filled with the Hiss, Mold, Resonants, and other supernatural enemies that will come at you from all sides.

— CONTROL Resonant 🔻Pre-order Now! (@ControlRemedy) September 17, 2026

The first few hours of the game might be surprisingly tough. And while you have plenty of freedom, you can make the exploration and combat much smoother by following a few key tips. Especially if you want all the achievements.

Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of your first hours in Control Resonant.

1 Unlock the Map as Soon as You Enter a New Zone

Whenever you enter a new area, make sure to get the map for it. You can do that by finding the area’s central pylon and activating three nearby satellite devices before returning to the main station.

By doing that, you can reveal useful points of interest, including vendors, fast-travel locations, side quests, and other things. It can also help identify locations that are currently inaccessible because you don’t have a particular ability.

2 Do Faults Early to Get New Abilities

Faults are optional objectives that you can do in the game, but don’t be fooled. They are among the most important things you can do to improve Dylan’s movement options.

Keep an eye out for Jesse’s projections and other visual signs that a Fault is nearby. The abilities that you get from clearing them can unlock parts of Manhattan and make exploration considerably easier.

In particular, make sure to do the Faults in the Evacuation and West Incursion zones early.

3 Make Sure to Prioritize Falter and Dominance

Falter is one of the most important mechanics in Control Resonant. Attacking an enemy fills its yellow Falter meter, and filling it fully gives you an execute attack.

And once you unlock Dominance, these execute attacks become even better. They temporarily increase your damage and also give additional health drops. So your priority will be to build Falter, execute an enemy, activate Dominance, then use the damage buff for other enemies.

4 Don’t Let Your Power Bar Fully Deplete

Your abilities use Power, but if you run out of it, you will be unable to use abilities until it regenerates.

Try to always have some Power remaining at all times. Dylan can restore Power through attacks, and it also regenerates outside combat.

This is especially important with abilities that have a powerful second activation, since running out of Power at the wrong moment can prevent you from using them effectively.

5 Choose Weapon Forms Depending on the Enemy

Your weapon is called the Aberrant, and it can change forms. Your choices matter, but they aren’t permanent. You unlock more forms as you progress, allowing you to adapt your loadout.

The Aberrant’s different forms have different damage types depending on your attacks. Blunt attacks, for example, are useful for breaking armor, and enemies have specific vulnerabilities to certain damage types.

6 Unlock a Strong Combo Finisher Early

Once you’ve built enough Aberrant Strength, make sure to unlock a combo finisher. These attacks activate after your standard three-hit combo and can give you more options versus enemies.

Uppercut Surge is useful early because it can build Falter quickly and lift enemies for more attacks. Combo finishers that synergize with Falter and Dominance are the best options.

7 Get a Burn Ability Before Tackling the Mold

Fire abilities are extremely useful against Mold enemies. They are weak to Burn damage, and it also gives you more Falter buildup and interactions with certain environmental hazards.

Once you have access to the relevant Resonant encounter in Central, you’ll probably want a fire ability before you start getting into areas with Mold enemies. Fire can also interact with Mold spore clouds, triggering additional explosions and damage.

8 The Open World Doesn’t Mean You Should Go Anywhere

Control Resonant does have an open world, but that doesn’t mean you should go to every area immediately. Every time you enter an area, look at the enemy power levels. That will give you an idea of whether you’re ready for that area. If enemies are a lot stronger than you, consider exploring elsewhere and returning later.

Be particularly careful about defeating Resonants too early. Doing so can reset enemies in their respective areas and increase their difficulty.

9 Explore Buildings, Vendors, and Hidden Areas

There are a lot of rewards to find in the world, but they’re not obvious. Lit-up doors, storefronts, blocked entrances, suspicious vending machines, and environmental puzzles can all lead to useful resources or upgrades.

Vendors should be a big priority. Each zone has an ice cream truck vendor where you can buy different resources, and nearby chests can give a health upgrade point. You need multiple points for a permanent health increase, so make sure to get them all.

Make sure to also check places blocked by enemies. Clearing them can give you side quests, materials, and other rewards.

10 Spend Your Resources and Talent Points Regularly

This will sound outrageous, but don’t hoard your resources. Upgrading your abilities increases your overall power and helps you handle stronger enemies.

Zone progression is something you can easily focus on. Completing activities, defeating enemies, and finishing objectives gives you zone XP. Leveling a zone can give you items, health drops, vendor inventory, and Talent Points.

You can also use the Gap to manage your build and experiment with available upgrades. If you’re still uncertain about a new ability, test it before committing to it.

What are you looking forward to most in Control Resonant? Let us know in the comments!