One of the most iconic moments throughout Control happens around 3/4ths of the direction through the game. Known as the “ Ashtray Maze, ” this moment epitomizes Control ‘s alone world and gameplay experience in one standout moment. Jesse Faden ‘s journey builds incrementally in a rising tension that ‘s intriguingly uncomfortable, and even the Ashtray Maze injects a uncoiled shot of epinephrine into the game when it ‘s least expected. The pace of the game changes entirely into a set-piece that about feels like the developers showing off how cool Control ‘s earth is .
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What Leads to Control’s Ashtray Maze
Control ‘s Ashtray Maze begins towards the end of the plot, during Mission 9 : polaris. At this point, Jesse needs to find her way to the Dimensional Research fender of the Oldest House in search of a pivotal aim of Power. Without jumping into direct floor spoilers, the key to defeating the Hiss ( the game ‘s demonic villain presence ) is sealed away within the Ashtray Maze. This inner ear of shape-shifting architecture was specifically designed to keep anyone and everyone out of the Dimensional Research wing. only the Director of the FBC, which in this character has become Jesse, can traverse the maze and get to the other side .
conduct traversal through the maze is impossible without clearance, even for Jesse. The early Director of the FBC was the one who created and was bound to the Ashtray Maze, so Jesse needed to find another manner through. Luckily, Ahti the janitor has an extra key in the human body of a cassette player loaded up with “ Take master ” by Old Gods of Asgard. Listening to this song somehow grants Jesse passage through the maze, and what ensues is a fantastic celebration of everything that makes Control incredible. To those who ‘ve never played this bet on, this all likely sounds absurd, but the presentation is so bizarre and bombastic that it becomes endearing .
Exploring Control’s Grandest Labyrinth
Playing through the Ashtray Maze truly cements the fact that Control even has batch of surprises up its sleeve, flush in the second-to-last chapter. All of the moments leading up to Mission 9 have been preternatural and mind-boggling, but in a way that ‘s by and large designed to make players feel slightly uncomfortable. then little moments spliced in between, like the interviews with Dr. Darling and the respective Object of Power side missions, remind you that there ‘s elements of capricious fantasy in Control ‘s faze world. The Ashtray Maze reminds players that, despite all of the build tensions surrounding the report, the Oldest House is still a fantasy universe full of charming stories .
then players enter the Ashtray Maze. The atmospheric, ambient score fades aside as a potent heavy metallic element birdcall starts blasting in Jesse ‘s ears. Walls begin to fold and stow away like life-size origami, as the entire environment shifts and changes around the player. The baronial rooms are both harmonious and asymmetrical, all enveloped in maroon wallpaper gilded with fondness aesthetics. Environments are constantly changing, but so are the threats. Players have to dash, levitate, and pursuit possessed Hiss enemies through diverse hallways as they attempt to navigate and ultimately finish the Ashtray Maze .
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The Best Moment Throughout the Whole Game
Every ability, every new accelerator, every modern augment that players come across throughout Control ‘s floor is tested in bombastic fashion within the Ashtray Maze. Everything comes to a principal, and it ‘s rightfully the foremost time throughout the game where Jesse not only becomes a true Director, but besides sincerely feel unstoppable in her new authority. For miss of a better phrase, this is the item where players sincerely feel like they ‘re in dominance. The world shapes and bends to Jesse ‘s notion, as she systematically destroys enemies in these shifting rooms of royalty with all of her superpowers. In her own words, Jesse describes it best : “ That was amazing. ”
Control ‘s Ashtray Maze is well one of the most memorable and iconic set-pieces from this past coevals of games. It ‘s a shame Control calm flies under the radar for a bunch of gaming fans, as this moment emphasizes how singular and amazing Control in truth is. Everything that was once faze or disturbing from the game previously is whisked away, as Jesse and the players have a newfound confidence in the game ‘s final examination acts. The Ashtray Maze decidedly did n’t have to be angstrom cool as it was, but it comes at the good clock time during Control ‘s fib .
Control is available now on personal computer, PS4, and Xbox One.
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Rob Dolen
( 804 Articles Published )
not actually a distant relative of Bob Dole, Rob Dolen is a Features Writer for Game Rant. Big fan of expansive lore and game analysis, video recording games are cool. exemption Fighters is underrated. credibly not good at competitive Halo anymore .
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