Game · in order
Control Game in Order
Remedy's supernatural shooter set in the shifting Oldest House. Play the base game, then The Foundation, then AWE, which ties directly into Alan Wake and the Remedy Connected Universe.
Control Game in Order: complete list
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Why this order?
Control is a single 2019 game with two story expansions, so the order is refreshingly simple: play the base game first, then The Foundation, then AWE. Both expansions are built as post-campaign content that assumes you have finished Jesse Faden's main story, so jumping into them early spoils major reveals and leaves you underpowered. Finish the central narrative inside the Oldest House before touching either DLC.
The Foundation came first, in 2020, and digs literally beneath the Federal Bureau of Control into the cavern where the building meets the Astral Plane. AWE arrived later the same year and is the one that matters most for the wider lore: it directly links Control to Alan Wake, Remedy's 2010 thriller, formally establishing both as part of the Remedy Connected Universe. Playing AWE last lets its crossover payoff land properly.
That connective tissue is the real reason fans care about this order. The janitor Ahti, the Oldest House's unflappable Finnish caretaker, appears in Control and turns up again in Alan Wake 2 (2023), and AWE's Investigations Sector seeds threads the larger universe pays off later. If you intend to move on to Alan Wake or Alan Wake 2 afterward, finishing AWE first gives those games extra resonance.
There is no wrong way to enjoy the shooting, but for story and lore the sequence is fixed: Control, then The Foundation, then AWE. A direct sequel, Control Resonant (formerly known as Control 2), is set to launch September 24, 2026, featuring Dylan Faden. Once it releases, the full experience will include that fourth entry as well.
Timeline 2019-2026
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2019 Control
- 2020 The FoundationAWE
- 6-year gap
- 2026 Resonant
Where to play it today
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for Control.
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from Control who also show up elsewhere. see the full character atlas →
Frequently asked questions
What order should I play Control in?
Play the base game Control first, then the expansion The Foundation, and finish with AWE. Both expansions are post-campaign content meant to be played after completing Jesse Faden's main story.
How many Control games are there?
There is one Control game (2019) plus two story expansions: The Foundation and AWE, both released in 2020. A direct sequel, Control Resonant (formerly known as Control 2), is confirmed for September 24, 2026.
Do I need to play the expansions in a specific order?
Release order works best: The Foundation came first, then AWE. AWE is best saved for last because it contains the crossover that links Control to Alan Wake.
How does Control connect to Alan Wake?
The AWE expansion directly ties Control to Alan Wake, establishing the Remedy Connected Universe. The janitor Ahti appears in both Control and Alan Wake 2.
Is the Control Ultimate Edition worth getting?
Yes. The Control Ultimate Edition bundles the base game with both The Foundation and AWE expansions, making it the easiest way to play everything in order.
Should I play Alan Wake before or after Control?
Either works, but playing Control's AWE expansion lands best if you have some familiarity with Alan Wake. Many fans play Alan Wake, then Control, then Alan Wake 2.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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