Control: The Foundation Reviews
Control's first major DLC expansion is a wonderful return to this weird world, even if it doesn't take any huge risks.
Every so often, The Foundation produces a spark of what made the original campaign so memorable.
If the world of Control is your thing, the Foundation delivers. If you want more fights and cool situations with rogue Altered Items, it sounds like you're better off waiting for the next DLC.
It's a pleasure to dive back into Control, and that's why I genuinely enjoyed my time with The Foundation. I still love hunting down every research note and every minute-long audio file -- anything to fill in more of the lore gaps in this bizarre, enigmatic world. This expansion does all of that even if it's ultimately left feeling inconsequential. Ironically, The Foundation fails to build on the excellent structure Remedy already built with Control.
By adding a couple more powers that slightly improve frenetic combat and having collectibles and a story that continually outweird themselves in inventive ways, Remedy has shown that Jesse is fit for the job of director and hopefully just getting started.
The Foundation is a nice addition to the Control-verse, clocking in around 4-5 hours to complete. It’s not doing anything groundbreaking, but it is more of the same, which is a damn good thing in Control’s case. Yes, it would have been nicer for the missions to have been a bit more dynamic, but the world-building and the storytelling continue to be one of Control’s major selling points. With the next expansion set to expand the lore even further with connections to Alan Wake, it feels like Remedy is in it for the long haul.
The Foundation is a (too much) linear and fun end game mission for Control. The setting is very weird and fascinating and it's really amazing to unleash the full Jessy potential. On the other hand, the new power, Shape, is less creative and game changing than it should have been, and the result is that the exploration and gameplay feels a little bit railroaded.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Foundation provides a decent amount of great content and expands on the base game's fantastic core in interesting, albeit safe, ways.
Ultimately, The Foundation is more of the same, but in the best ways, and if Remedy can maintain this level of quality I'm in for whatever comes next
Polished DLC at Remedy-like quality standard – and that's a huge compliment. The ability to modify the environment doesn't leave the mark, but the narrative, the new floor and the gunplay more than compensate for that minor drawback. Waiting for the Alan Wake DLC, The Foundation is an excellent reason to visit the Oldest House again.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Basically, this all adds up to Foundation elevating Control in every way. It’s not a new game, far from it, but it’s a rollicking continuation and one that leaves you wanting the next chapter.
The Foundation DLC for Control brings a new floor to explore, a new enemy type, and a few new powers for Jesse that don't add up to very much. But, it also brings more Control – with all of its wonders and faults. Jesse is just doing her job at this point, but that job is pretty bizarre and fun. Just don't expect world-changing innovation, and you'll enjoy The Foundation just fine.
The Foundation is a great expansion that I had to wait too long to play.
The Foundation is an honest DLC, which extends the main adventure by opening a narrative parenthesis that is not exactly explosive, but still solid and convincing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
As an add on, The Foundation is a wonderful way to bring players back to the world of Control, even if it doesn’t quite match the weird mystique and bizarre mystery of the main game.
Control: The Foundation is an easy recommendation for anyone who loved what Remedy introduced in the original game.
The Foundation is a decent expansion to Control, as it gives us a reason to be Jesse Faden again, but it lacks something really new, fresh, challenging and spectacular to be considered as a memorable time.
Review in French | Read full review
An experience that reduces the bulk of files and audio logs that personify the narrative delivery of the base game, in favor of vertical platforming and fight sequences with the Hiss.
Despite the rather short length, The Foundation is an example of how DLC really should be. It feels different, adds a lot to the story, doesn't forget what made the original great and tries its own thing instead of leaning on what worked in the past. Odds are you'll be fascinated by the answers that just leave you with more questions and delighted with new obstacles to overcome. In all and all, The Foundation left me wanting more and I can not wait to see where the next expansion takes us.