"Control Resonant" is filled with unsettling imagery, supernatural forces, bizarre environments, and strange encounters. Yet one of its most memorable elements may not be something players can see at all. It is the voice of The Board, the mysterious entity that communicates with protagonist Dylan Faden.
The Board has been part of the Control universe since the original game, but its presentation in "Control Resonant" gives the character a noticeably different presence. Its voice is exceptionally deep, distorted, and unnatural, turning even short lines of dialogue into memorable moments.
Who Is The Board in 'Control Resonant?'
The Board is a mysterious supernatural entity connected to the strange forces at the center of the Control universe. In "Control Resonant," the entity becomes connected to Dylan Faden, the brother of Jesse Faden, who served as the protagonist of the original "Control."
Dylan's circumstances put him in contact with a powerful artifact resembling a shapeshifting rod. The object can be used as a weapon against supernatural enemies, but its connection to The Board gives it a larger significance within the game's story.
The Board therefore occupies an unusual position in Dylan's journey. It can be viewed as a handler, guardian, authority figure, or benefactor, depending on how its relationship with him develops.
That ambiguity is an important part of The Board's appeal. It is never presented as an ordinary character with straightforward motivations.
Why The Board's Voice Stands Out
According to Kotaku, the most distinctive aspect of The Board in "Control Resonant" is its voice.
Rather than sounding like a conventional human character, The Board communicates through extremely low, distorted sounds. Its voice combines strong vocal effects with strange mechanical and resonant qualities, creating something that feels deliberately unnatural.
The effect is particularly noticeable when played through headphones. The low frequencies give the voice a physical quality that makes short statements feel much larger and more imposing than ordinary dialogue.
This is especially effective because The Board does not need lengthy speeches to make an impression. A few distorted words can immediately change the mood of a scene.
The Board Sounds Different From the Original Control
Players familiar with the first Control may notice that The Board does not sound the same in "Control Resonant."
The original game's version of The Board already had an unusual method of communication, but "Control Resonant" gives its voice a much deeper and more aggressive character. The difference makes the entity feel almost like a new interpretation of the same supernatural presence.
That change also fits the broader tone of the sequel. The Control series has always experimented with unusual sound design, visual effects, and storytelling techniques. Altering The Board's voice allows the character to remain recognizable while making its presence feel fresh.
The Board's Voice Makes Combat More Memorable
The Board is not limited to story conversations. It can also be heard during combat, including moments following certain executions.
These brief appearances make the voice especially effective because they interrupt the fight's intensity with something strange and unexpected.
The distorted delivery can make short words sound almost impossible to identify. One recurring vocalization can even resemble the word "combo," turning a simple combat moment into something bizarrely entertaining.
That contrast is part of what makes the sound design work. Combat in "Control Resonant" can already be chaotic, but The Board's voice features an eerie supernatural layer without requiring another lengthy cutscene.
Check out our report about "Control Resonant" playtime hours here.
Why The Board's Sound Design Works So Well
The effectiveness of The Board's voice comes from more than simply making it deep.
Its sound communicates several ideas at once. The distorted frequencies suggest that The Board is not human. The unusual vocal texture makes its origin difficult to identify. The lack of a conventional speaking voice reinforces the idea that players are interacting with something operating outside normal human experience.
Sound also plays an important role in horror and supernatural storytelling. A familiar voice can make a character feel approachable, while an unnatural voice creates distance and uncertainty.
The Board's voice does exactly that. It makes the entity feel powerful without relying solely on visual design.
The Board Adds to 'Control Resonant's' Strange Atmosphere
One of the defining characteristics of the Control franchise is its ability to make ordinary environments feel unsettling. Objects, buildings, people, and organizations can all become connected to supernatural phenomena.
The Board fits naturally into that approach.
Its voice does not explain everything. Instead, it creates more questions, such as The Board's identity: what does it want from Dylan? Can it be trusted? Is its relationship with Dylan beneficial, or is there another purpose behind its involvement?
Is The Board Evil in 'Control Resonant?'
The Board's intentions remain difficult to categorize based solely on its appearance and behavior.
Its supernatural nature and intimidating voice can make it seem threatening, but an unsettling presentation does not necessarily establish that it is evil. The Control universe frequently blurs the distinction between helpful and dangerous supernatural forces.
That ambiguity is particularly important for players who have not finished "Control Resonant." The Board's relationship with Dylan can be interpreted differently as the story develops, and its unusual behavior does not provide a simple answer about its ultimate motivations.
For that reason, The Board is more interesting when treated as an unknown force rather than a straightforward villain.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Board in 'Control Resonant'
Who is The Board in "Control Resonant?"
The Board is a mysterious supernatural entity connected to Dylan Faden and the strange forces surrounding the events of "Control Resonant." It previously had a major connection to Jesse Faden in the original Control.
Is The Board in the original Control?
Yes. The Board is an important supernatural presence in the original Control, where it communicates with Jesse Faden and influences events surrounding the Federal Bureau of Control.
Why does The Board sound different in "Control Resonant?"
The Board has a noticeably deeper and more distorted voice in "Control Resonant." The new sound gives the entity a more imposing and otherworldly presence compared with its presentation in the original game.
Is The Board a villain?
The Board's motives are deliberately difficult to categorize. Its intimidating appearance and voice do not necessarily mean that it is simply an evil entity.
