+2
CONTROL
WOWZERS!!!!
The recent update provides a new mission type that puts CONTROL into light speed. I recorded my first real run through of this first staging ground and it was non-stop motion, shooting Hiss on roughly 3-layered platforms of stone cliffs and abandoned metal scaffolding.
Rough backstory: speaking with an NPC after a specific mission opens this new game area. I've already cleared the game so I can't confirm which mission it is, but I've read it's after "My Brother's Keeper." Without revealing too much process I will just say that a newly accessible Object of Power teleports you to a previously inaccessible area of the Black Quarry.
It costs material to use the transport so you have to continue exploring standard levels for loot, kills, and the unending supply of Board Countermeasures to earn them. The new level is staged in three progressive tiers of difficulty unavailable until clearing a lower tier. 1, 2, then 3. My first experience in stage 1 provided a timed limit of 24 minutes, I believe, during which I had to explore 4 unique areas, discover hidden mission items, all while attacking (mostly running away from) waves of Hiss agents. It appears completely random what level Hiss I encounter, and the areas reset with each player death. If I was able to clear area 1 of 4 it appeared to stay cleared on respawn; however, dying mid-objective then reset the objective. And it reset the Hiss waves while the timer continued down.
Once I triggered the first encounter, I got NO rest with barely time enough to read my objectives as they popped up. I died at least five times, completing only 2 of 4 objectives, and only partially clearing a third before my time was up. And this is only the FIRST OF THREE TIERS!!!
I am still traumatized by the rush! This is so far beyond what I was expecting as a final stage during my proper run through the Oldest House. I admit that I was slightly disappointed with how CONTROL ended. This expansion flips that disappointment right on its ass.
I read that the developers say tier 3 is impossible. Doubt it, but it's going to take several runs to learn some of the patterns. With randomized Hiss, what appears to be randomized objective locations, and random handicaps that are applied (for example, I started this with an aggressive -75% weapon Pierce damage!?), I imagine this is going to be a punishing uphill battle. I'm totally game for it and I'm excited to have new life here, in the Federal Bureau of Control.