Summary
Though Remedy Entertainment has been in the video game industry since the 1990s, it’s a studio that’s often been relegated to the background, with its long legacy granting it legacy status but not quite pushing it into the mainstream consciousness. A major reason for this has been Remedy’s rather inconsistent release schedule. AfterMax Payne 2’s release in 2003, Remedy took a 7-year-long hiatus, and a similar gap was left betweenAlan WakeandQuantum Break.
But Remedy seems to be entering a new golden age, and Remedy titles may be dropping more regularly. After the success ofAlan Wake 2, Remedy appears to be kicking all of its projects into full gear, includingAlan Wake 2’s DLCs which are set to hit later this year, aControlmultiplayer spin-off, and the next major project from the studio,Control 2, which is now inheriting a pretty lofty legacy. Indeed,Controlis only one piece in the Remedyverse puzzle but it may carry the rest with it in a sequel.
Control 2 Is Inheriting Remedy’s Long Legacy
Remedy’s Legacy Begins With Max Payne
Though Remedy’s first officially released title wasDeath Raceback in 1996, it wasthe firstMax Paynethat put the developer on the map. Released in 2001,Max Paynereceived some pretty mixed reviews at the time, with some outlets heralding it as one of the best PC shooters ever made, and others criticizing large swathes of the game’s story and technical features. But despite its critical reception,Max Paynehas gone on to be revered as one of the sixth console generation’s best shooters.
That legacy is set to come full circle fairly shortly, with Remedy currently hard at work on remakes of the first twoMax Paynegames in conjunction with Rockstar. According to Remedy’s last financial report, theMax Payne 1and2remakesare currently in the “Production readiness” stage, meaning that as of October 2023, they were ready to enter full development.Control 2, on the other hand, is still in its “Proof-of-concept” stage, meaning that by the timeControl 2releases,Max Payne’s own long legacy will once again be at the forefront of fans' minds, putting some big pressure onControl 2.
Control Marked a Long-Awaited Return for Remedy
By the timeControlreleased in 2019, Remedy Entertainment desperately needed a win. Though the firstAlan Wakehad become a cult hit, it wasn’t the critical or commercial success that the studio was hoping for. Remedy then put outQuantum Breakfor Microsoft, and while its concept was suitably innovative,Quantum Break’s execution left a lot to be desired.
But thenControlreleased and has becomeone of Remedy’s most beloved titles. With an incredibly intriguing central mystery, some truly bizarre but thoroughly entertaining narrative ideas, and some genuinely innovative gameplay mechanics,Controlproved that Remedy still had a lot of interesting and creative ideas. In many ways,Controlkickstarted the newfound golden age it finds itself in now, and that’s ultimately set an incredibly high bar for its eventual sequel.
Alan Wake 2 Has Cemented Itself as Remedy’s Flagship Title
As if all that pressure wasn’t enough, Remedy’s most recent release,Alan Wake 2, well and truly knocked it out of the park. Though there was some buzz surrounding the long-awaited sequel,Alan Wake 2’s impressive critical receptionshot the game into the stratosphere upon its release, making Remedy a household name for the first time in decades. Remedy’s legacy has been reinvigorated, and it’s a legacy thatControl 2is going to have to carry even further with the entire Remedy universe on its shoulders.
Control
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of over 80 awards, Control is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Blending open-ended environments with the signature world-building and storytelling of renowned developer, Remedy Entertainment, Control presents an expansive and intensely gratifying gameplay experience.A corruptive presence has invaded the Federal Bureau of Control…Only you have the power to stop it. The world is now your weapon in an epic fight to annihilate an ominous enemy through deep and unpredictable environments. Containment has failed, humanity is at stake. Will you regain control?Can you handle the bureau’s dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here.
