Control, I’m Not Coming Back is a new sci-fi indie game on Steam that launched on May 29 as a free-to-play title, and it has since earned an Overwhelmingly Positive rating with over 1,500 reviews. Steam gets dozens of free games every week, but only a handful manage to reach the same level of success as Control, I’m Not Coming Back.
Control, I’m Not Coming Back is developer Desborde Games’ second game on Steam, following its previous release, Midnight Snack. Interestingly, Midnight Snack belongs to a completely different genre, as it is a free-to-play horror game. Despite that, both titles appear to have found an audience, with generally positive user reviews.
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Play Control, I’m Not Coming Back for Free on Steam
Since its release on May 29, Control, I’m Not Coming Back has received 98% positive reviews. Beyond being a free Steam game, part of its popularity comes from its use of the Hopecore aesthetic in both its visuals and story. For those unfamiliar, Hopecore is a media style focused on evoking positive feelings through soft, uplifting visuals. Control, I’m Not Coming Back applies this philosophy in its gameplay with nostalgic, low-poly graphics and a story centered on hope, friendship, and wholesome human emotions.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
EasyMediumHardPermadeath
In Control, I’m Not Coming Back, players follow the journey of an astronaut stranded in space with no hope of returning to their spaceship. Along the way, the astronaut forms a bond with the Voyager 1 probe, which becomes their companion throughout the story. Their connection leads to several bittersweet, thought-provoking moments about human relationships and how people can still find hope even at life’s lowest points. Gameplay-wise, Control, I’m Not Coming Back is best described as a walking simulation game with a branching story that changes depending on player choices.
Control, I’m Not Coming Back System Requirements
|
OS |
Windows 10 |
|---|---|
|
CPU |
i5-6300HQ |
|
GPU |
GTX 560 |
|
RAM |
4 GB RAM |
|
Storage |
500 MB |
The wholesome story that’s the driving force in Control, I’m Not Coming Back also seems to be the core attraction for fans of nostalgic games on Steam. One player described it as “a story worth telling,” while another said, “This game is if the concept of togetherness and humanity sat in a circle around a campfire and had a lovely time.” Music also plays a critical role in this story-rich sci-fi game. According to developer Desborde Games, at times Control, I’m Not Coming Back plays like a montage synchronized with the soundtrack, with each cut taking players to an entirely new scene with a different atmosphere.
It’s important to remember that Control, I’m Not Coming Back is a short Steam game that players can finish in about an hour. However, at $0, it’s hard to complain about its relatively short length. The game is designed as a brief philosophical journey through deep space and is a great pick for fans of titles that encourage reflection on complex life concepts.
