Gameplay
While both games are classified as action-adventure, there are a few key differences that may make one more appealing than the other.
Control’s biggest draw is found in its Metroidvania-light progression system for unlocking weapons and powers. With each new optional thing that is unlocked, players gain new avenues to combat and exploration.
Increasing and acquiring specific things make it so that protagonist Jesse Faden can zip around security guards quicker, deal more damage, and fling about more debris.
All of these mechanics make up Control’s frantic, always moving action, as Jesse must deal damage to generate health back and eliminate enemies before getting overwhelmed.
On the other side of things, Astral Chain provides a handful of different approaches to its gameplay.
If you’re more invested in the investigative elements, setting, and story, or just like watching the action, the Unchained mode automatically takes over.
Don’t feel like attacking or dodging? Switching these tabs over in Unchained will make the game act on your behalf, letting players soak in the glorious colorful action while the game does all the work.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Pt difficulties ramp up the opposition considerably, taking away revives, making enemies more durable, and combat more challenging.
No matter which way you go, the wide array of playstyles provided with the gameplay is an element that really serves to lend to the game’s longevity and replayability.
The gameplay is too tight to call between these two, as they are both often the best parts of each title.
Winner: Tie
