The short answer
Play Control, then The Foundation, and finish with AWE before Control Resonant. That order preserves Jesse's development and the Oldest House story. FBC: Firebreak expands the setting, but its co-op campaign is not required to understand Dylan.
Control Ultimate Edition is the simplest package because it includes the base game and both expansions. Remedy introduced AWE as the second and final expansion. If time is short, finish Control and move on. The studio also calls Resonant a new entry point.
1. Control
Begin with Jesse Faden's campaign. It introduces the Oldest House, Hiss, Polaris, Board and Dylan's condition, providing the sequel's emotional and conceptual foundation. Side missions are worthwhile but not mandatory.
The world remains open after the ending, and the expansions use the same save, powers and equipment. If the packaging is confusing, our guide separates DLC, expansions and season passes.
2. The Foundation and 3. AWE
Play The Foundation after the campaign. It takes Jesse beneath the Oldest House, develops the Board and acts as a direct continuation. Even if a version exposes it earlier, it lands better after the main conflict.
Then play AWE. Official support says its mission can appear after The Face of the Enemy, but the end is its strongest position: it was released as Control's second and final expansion. Its explicit Alan Wake connection also leaves the shared-universe bridge fresh.
Where Alan Wake and Firebreak fit
Alan Wake and Alan Wake 2 are recommended, not prerequisites for Dylan's arc. For a complete Remedy Connected Universe route, put Alan Wake before AWE and Alan Wake 2 afterward, allowing references to unfold in release logic.
FBC: Firebreak shows a response team's life inside the agency. Place it after Control and the DLC, but treat it as an optional co-op spin-off rather than a mandatory story chapter.
4. Control Resonant
Resonant launches September 24, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Dylan takes center stage as a new resonance warps Manhattan and Jesse goes missing. That premise carries more weight after the siblings' story in Control.
Do not turn preparation into homework: the base campaign and an AWE summary are enough if time is limited. Our preview of Control Resonant's Assist Mode also explains how every part of combat can be tuned without disabling trophies.
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