Control Resonant

Yes — Remedy built the sequel to stand alone, so you don't need to have finished Control, the AWE DLC, or Alan Wake 2 to follow Dylan Faden's story. Combat is melee-led with the shapeshifting Aberrant: Dylan has no firearms, block, or parry, so you attack to generate Power, use abilities to put enemies into a Falter state, then finish them for a damage bonus and pick up the health they drop. Assist Mode is available to make the game easier (or harder), and reading the collectibles fills in context quickly.

Source: Control Resonant Guide

Yes — every listed review covers the game as a single-player experience, with no co-op or multiplayer mode mentioned in any source. TechRadar praises the open-ended exploration as fun and the traversal mechanics as smooth, while The Verge calls manipulating gravity through the twisted New York City setting oddly exhilarating. Digital Trends highlights fluid, combo-driven melee combat with challenging boss fights, and Dexerto says the game is at its best when embracing the freedom of its expanded Manhattan playspace.

Source: TechRadar Review

After the final mission, The End, and the epilogue The Beginning, free roam continues so you can mop up Side Stories. Remedy's post-launch note lists side quests, World Feats, and New Game Plus as the content to keep playing after the story ends. Optional activities include World Feats, FBC Tasks, Thresholds, Secret Hideouts, SHÜM! arcade machines, Dylan's Sketchbook, and Altered Items quests, and most feed a zone's level and have their own Steam achievement.

Source: The Games Wiki - Side Activities

Players highlight that this entry lets you finally swing a weapon instead of just pointing one, and the shift pays off with aggression-based melee combat that has no blocking or parrying to fall back on. The Beebom review calls the game's Manhattan level design mind-bending and praises every boss fight, while Digital Trends notes the open-world move keeps Control's identity intact with fluid, combo-driven melee and no hand-holding. The substack piece argues the game's mishmash of ideas works on every level despite mixed critical notes.

Source: Playing This Week Substack

Unlock the map first, then sweep each zone for goodies and check locked doors instead of skipping them. Visit the Gap often, find the vendor in every area, and read the collectibles for story context. Beat lesser enemies to heal, and use Faults and Resonants to unlock more abilities; defeating a Resonant refreshes your zones. Assist Mode can make the game easier or harder if you want to tune the difficulty.

Source: Polygon Beginner's Guide