Control, I’m Not Coming Back – Game Review

This short, yet emotional, game is called ‘Control, I’m Not Coming Back’ and it was created by Desborde Games. It’s a narrative based game, that on the surface looks like a story of an astronaut getting lost in space, but for all those lore hungry people (or just those who have been brainwashed into thinking the way that you’re taught in your English classes) will know that it is far more than just a simple game.

I was bored one day, so I resorted to scrolling through the ‘free’ section on Steam. After ages of seeing boring and cheaply made games, I came across this. The title itself was intriguing, but once I looked through the pictures and read the description, I was already loading up the game.

The game starts you in a space ship where you, a Cadet, are copiloting the tin can alongside your Captain. Yet things go south, and very fast, red lights start flashing in your face, word of a fire in an engine, and you and the Captain are completely helpless as your whole surroundings turn black. Great way to start, huh? And all in the first two minutes!

Once you come to your senses, you are stranded in space, getting further away from Earth, and without the sight of the space ship or your captain. The first thing you do is try to make connection to Mission Control, but they do not answer, no matter how many times you try, no answer… Until you get an answer from something else…

From this point on, you travel along unfamiliar plains, talking to several other to try and find some sort of answer. But to what question…? No one quite knows yet…

What hidden meaning is lying beneath the surface?

Now, either you love lore hunting, or you’ve been in too many English and Literature classes, you will know that there is more to this game than what I’m leading on. And you would be right! But what am I not telling you?

Each line that was said had some sort of meaning, each place you went to had something to show you. But the main thing that was at the forefront of everything was this simple idea; ‘Keep moving forward’.

You are a stranded astronaut, we’ve made that clear already, but what if I said it’s not that black and white? The astronaut actually stands in for people that are stranded, not physically, but in a mental way. Feeling stranded is actually something many people deal with (myself included!), and trying to move forward can be really difficult when you don’t know how or where to begin. This is what the astronaut is feeling, they don’t know how to move forward after such a hard hitting incident leaving them feel empty.

Throughout the game, you are told several things along the lines of (I can remember these scenes, but I can’t remember/find the exact quotes!):

• If you keep focusing on the what ifs and not what’s in front of you, then you will get no where.
• The thing that matters is what we’re going to go next.
• Moving forward even when it seems impossible.
• And much more!

This game uses the obvious of a lost astronaut to actually give some extremely good tips about finding your way, even when you feel completely lost.

Gameplay

When you remove the symbolism hiding in plain sight, you aren’t left with much… Except for all the stuff I’m gonna tell you!

First is the graphics. It may be 3D, yet it also has this pixel-y style overlaying it, which I find quite charming. The surroundings and characters are very simple which also makes them memorable. Also, sometimes the environment shifts with the music, one second you’re in a desert, next you’re on a railway! This actually lines up quite well with the idea of moving forward.

Another interesting thing are the controls. It’s generally normal… W for moving forward, A and D for moving from side to side, E for interacting… but the S does nothing, making it physically impossible to move backwards. Oh, I actually like that little trick they done!

Lastly, this game has many reasons for being repayable. There’s some different paths you can take with your choices. But I would say that the fact that it is inspirational and could easily show someone how to find their way, this is the main reason why me, and many others, would replay it.

I would say that this game has the perfect mix of interest, working mechanics, and tips that could be used in your every day life. I would definitely recommend this for anyone that wants a unique gameplay experience or just a quick pick-me-up, it’s absolutely perfect for both!

Other Information (from Steam page):

Cost: Free

Play length: 45 mins~

Tags: Story Rich, Walking Simulator, Space, Philosophical, 3D.

Release Date: 29th May 2026

Platform Availability:

• PC (STEAM EXCLUSIVE AS OF WRITING THIS)

Written By: LouArtStuff
About: Hiya! I’m Lou! I love to play different types of games, read any genre of book, and delve a little too deep into the meaning of anything I see!
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