Control is a masterpiece of modern action-adventure gaming, blending a mind-bending narrative with an environment that itself becomes a puzzle. Beyond the main storyline, the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) headquarters is filled with hidden story files, secret areas, and collectible objects that flesh out the world’s mysteries. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to uncover every hidden secret, including narrative-enhancing documents, rare objects, and all secret rooms. Perfect for players aiming for 100% completion and full story immersion.
How to Approach Hidden Content in Control
- Explore every room thoroughly: Many secrets are tucked away behind destructible walls, lockers, or concealed elevators.
- Use the Service Weapon creatively: Certain secret doors require shooting environmental objects in specific sequences.
- Pay attention to audio logs and mission prompts: They often hint at secret objectives or hidden pathways.
- Revisit areas after gaining new abilities: Some rooms or collectibles are inaccessible until you acquire powers like Launch, Seize, or Levitate.
- Scan all documents and interactables: Files and memos reveal backstory and sometimes trigger hidden events.
Hidden Story Files & Collectibles
1. Director’s Office Hidden Files
Location: Executive Sector, top floor.
Rewards: Story files detailing previous Bureau Directors, FBC internal politics, and paranormal research.
Tips: Examine behind desks, in filing cabinets, and hidden wall panels; some files only appear after completing certain side missions.
2. Research Sector Archives
Location: Maintenance Sector, deep within old archives.
Rewards: Mission-critical documents that reveal secret experimental projects.
Tips: Use Launch and Levitate to access high shelves and hard-to-reach filing rooms. Some files are only accessible during specific story progression.
3. Secret Room: Containment Lab
Location: Investigate the Containment Sector; a hidden elevator behind a red door leads here.
Rewards: Collectibles detailing paranatural containment procedures, rare Mod components.
Tips: Look for visual cues like faint glowing panels or red-marked vents; solving environmental puzzles can unlock the entrance.
4. Hotline & Side Mission Files
Location: Scattered across the Executive and Research sectors.
Rewards: Side mission insights, audio logs, and secret story revelations.
Tips: Complete all side missions for maximum narrative exposure; some files only appear post-side mission.
Secret Areas & How to Access Them
1. Astral Plane Hidden Zones
Location: Reachable during “Astral Plane” segments of the story.
Rewards: Rare collectibles and narrative snippets that deepen understanding of Hiss corruption and FBC anomalies.
Tips: Explore every path, wall, and floating debris; secrets often require Levitate and careful timing.
2. Maintenance Sector Hidden Rooms
Location: Behind locked doors and destructible walls in the Maintenance Sector.
Rewards: Collectible Research Files, rare objects for your Mod collection, and XP boosts.
Tips: Look for environmental clues like color-coded piping or wall cracks; sometimes repeated passes trigger new spawn points.
3. Control Points & Elevator Secrets
Location: Control Points scattered throughout the Oldest House.
Rewards: Hidden narrative content and Mod components.
Tips: Some Control Points hide extra rooms or collectibles accessible only with Seize or Launch abilities.
4. Hidden Hiss Contaminated Areas
Location: Oldest House side corridors and basement areas.
Rewards: Unique enemy variants and rare combat Mod drops.
Tips: Often requires solving nearby environmental puzzles or defeating specific enemies to unlock entry.
Mod Components & Ability Upgrades (Secret Locations)
1. Ability Upgrade Nodes
Location: Hidden in destructible environments, behind crates, or inside sealed doors.
Rewards: Enhances Service Weapon and psychic powers.
Tips: Use Seize to move heavy objects and create new pathways; always scan for weak environmental objects.
2. Weapon Mod Collectibles
Location: Found in secret rooms, side sectors, and occasionally dropped by rare enemies.
Rewards: Unlocks unique Service Weapon modifications for gameplay customization.
Tips: Check ceilings, inaccessible rooms, and behind locked doors for hidden caches.
Tips for Maximum Completion
- Thorough Exploration: Every sector has hidden nooks—explore ceilings, vents, and floor panels.
- Ability Progression: Many collectibles are gated behind powers; revisit sectors after unlocking new abilities.
- Environmental Puzzles: Pay attention to subtle cues like lighting, floating debris, and colored walls—they often hint at secret pathways.
- Audio & Visual Cues: Hidden files sometimes require solving environmental anomalies or enemy patterns.
- Track Collectibles: Maintain a checklist to ensure all hidden files, mods, and areas are discovered.
Missable Secrets & Common Pitfalls
- Time-sensitive collectibles: Some files and areas are only accessible during specific missions.
- Destructible walls: Overlooked walls may hide important rooms; always interact with suspicious surfaces.
- Ability-gated zones: Without certain powers, hidden rooms are inaccessible—revisit later.
- Environmental hazards: Some collectibles are behind Hiss-contaminated areas; prepare with combat upgrades.
GGC