Which zone should you go to first in Control Resonant?

Published Sep 24, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT Traversal abilities are key Image: Remedy Entertainment via Polygon When you first make it to Central in Control Resonant, you'll meet Zoe in the watchtower and see four zones outside the window: Central, West Incursion Zone, Evacuation Zone, and The Park. Choosing which zone to go to first can be difficult, especially as you don't know what is waiting for you in each area. Luckily, there is no wrong answer (except for going to The Park first), but some zones are better to go to first. Below, we explain which zone you should go to first in Control Resonant, and what you'll earn in each zone. Which zone should you go to first in Control Resonant? Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Remedy Entertainment via Polygon After you make it to Central and talk to Zoe, you'll need to first get the level 1 keycard to get to any of the other zones. The keycard is found on the center desk inside the Field Office. Once you have it, you're free to go to any of the zones. Below, we've listed our recommended zone order, and included a map showing the entrances to each zone: Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Remedy Entertainment via Polygon # Zone Traversal ability Combat abilities 1 West Incursion Zone Shift Push or Ground Slam 2 Evacuation Zone Reach None 3 Central None Ignite or Inferno 4 The Park None Spore Burst or Growth There are a few things to consider before heading into each zone: enemy strength, traversal abilities, and combat abilities. If the enemies in an area are much higher than your own, your weapon will feel like it's doing little to no damage, while enemies will be hitting you like a truck. West Incursion Zone and Central both start at enemy level 2 (which is the number beside enemy health bars), Evacuation Zone starts at level 3, and The Park has an ominous skull. You should choose a zone that is around your level (found in the "Stats & Effects" section of the Loadout menu), which should be level 2 at this point. This leaves you with the West Incursion Zone and Central, but the former will provide you with a traversal ability and combat ability, while the latter will only give you a combat ability. As a result, you should go to the West Incursion Zone first. Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Remedy Entertainment via Polygon Traversal abilities are very important, as they make exploring each zone much easier and faster. See the roads that go straight up? You can walk on those walls with Shift, which is earned in the West Incursion Zone. If you've seen the translucent orbs around the map, you can launch yourself towards them with Reach — meaning you should go to the Evacuation Zone second. Now, Central is still technicallyan easier zone, so you can head there next if you'd like, but we find that Reach is much more vital than Ignite or Inferno. Additionally, you can progress in the "Evacuation Procedures" main story quest, where you'll receive the level 2 security keycard. Central is third as Ignite/Inferno will help you significantly in The Park. Enemies in The Park are weak to fire, so having a combat ability that can readily deal burn damage will save you time and stress. Lastly is The Park, because its enemies are the strongest and you essentially need Shift and Reach to complete the zone. Getting around without any traversal abilities will be tedious, and fighting against each enemy without burn damage sounds will be a nightmare.