All 21 Power Upgrade Chest Locations in Control
- Average speed
- km/h
- Result
- Finish time
- 50 min
- You entered
- Distance
- 10 km
- You entered
This guide lists all 21 Power Upgrade chest locations in Control, the collectibles that permanently increase your energy (mana) bar. You can find them throughout the Oldest House, usually in side rooms or behind locked doors, and each one grants a single Power Point that you spend in the Abilities menu. Below is the full list, organized by area, plus tips for reaching the ones that are easy to miss.
Formula
There is no formula for finding chests—this is a collectible location guide. The only “formula� that matters is the game’s own rule: each Power Upgrade chest gives you exactly 1 Power Point, and you need a certain number of points to unlock each ability tier. The total number of Power Points you can earn from chests is fixed at 21, regardless of the order you collect them.
Worked Example
Suppose you start a new game and find the first Power Upgrade chest in the Executive Sector. You open it and your Power Points go from 0 to 1. That 1 point lets you buy the first upgrade for your Launch ability (if you have enough points). If you find all 21 chests, you’ll have 21 points to spend across all abilities, but you’ll also earn points from story missions, so your total will be higher than 21.
Why Power Upgrade Chests Matter
Power Points are the only way to improve Jesse’s supernatural abilities. Without them, you’ll struggle against tougher enemies and puzzles that require upgraded skills. The chests are hidden in every sector, and some are locked behind doors that require a certain ability level (like Level 3 Launch or Level 2 Shield) to open. So you’ll need to revisit areas later in the game to get them all.
Full List of 21 Chest Locations
Here are all the chests, grouped by sector. I’ve marked the ones that are easy to miss or require backtracking.
- Executive Sector (4 chests)
- 1. In the Director’s Office – after you get the Director’s badge, go to the back room behind the desk. The chest is on a shelf.
- 2. Executive Affairs – in a small office on the upper floor, behind a locked door that requires Level 2 Clearance.
- 3. Board Room – after the fight with the Hiss in the board room, check the corner behind the long table.
- 4. Maintenance Hall – in a side room with a broken window, accessible after you get the Levitate ability.
- Research Sector (5 chests)
- 5. Containment Area – in a cell on the lower level, behind a Level 3 Lock.
- 6. Research Wing – in the room with the large rotating mirror, after you solve the puzzle.
- 7. Parapsychology Lab – in a corner behind some crates, near the Altered Item that makes you float.
- 8. Astral Plane – during the main mission “The Face of the Enemy,� after you cross the bridge, look to the left.
- 9. Black Rock Quarry – after the boss fight, in a small cave on the far side of the quarry.
- Containment Sector (4 chests)
- 10. Containment Access – in a side room with a dead body, behind a Level 3 Lock.
- 11. Mold Growth – after you clear the mold, in a room with a broken pipe, on a shelf.
- 12. NSC Containment Room – in the room where you fight the Former, after the fight, check the back corner.
- 13. Transit Corridor – in a maintenance alcove, hidden behind a stack of boxes.
- Maintenance Sector (4 chests)
- 14. Logistics – in a storage room on the upper level, behind a Level 2 Lock.
- 15. Waste Disposal – in a room with a large incinerator, on a catwalk above.
- 16. Furnace Room – after you activate the furnace, in a side room with pipes.
- 17. Atrium – in a small office off the main lobby, behind a Level 4 Lock (requires max Clearance).
- Other Locations (4 chests)
- 18. Foundation (DLC) – in the area after the first big elevator ride, on a ledge to the right.
- 19. AWE (DLC) – in the Investigations Sector, in a room with a giant clock, behind a locked door.
- 20. Shüm’s Arcade (DLC) – in the arcade’s back room, after you complete the “Shüm� side mission.
- 21. Oldest House – Central Executive – in a secret room behind a breakable wall near the elevator to the Research Sector.
How to Reach the Hidden Chests
Some chests are not accessible the first time you visit an area. Here are the most common requirements:
- Clearance Levels – You need to find Personnel Clearance Levels (1-4) scattered around the game. The highest-level doors require Level 4, which you get near the end of the main story.
- Ability Upgrades – Some chests are behind barriers that require Level 2 or 3 Launch to break, or Level 2 Shield to pass through. Others require Levitate to reach high ledges.
- Side Missions – A few chests appear only after you complete specific side missions (like “Shüm’s Arcade� or “AWE�).
- Breakable Walls – Some walls look solid but can be destroyed with Launch. If you see a suspicious crack, throw something at it.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One common mistake is thinking that Power Upgrade chests are marked on the map. They are not—you have to find them by exploring. Another is assuming you need all 21 to finish the game. You don’t; the main story gives you enough points to complete all required upgrades. But for 100% completion and to max out every ability, you need all of them.
Another misconception is that chests respawn. They do not. Each chest is a one-time pickup. If you miss one, you can go back later, but it won’t reappear if you already opened it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all 21 Power Upgrade chests to platinum the game?
Yes, if you’re going for the Platinum trophy on PlayStation or 100% achievements on other platforms, you need to collect all 21. One achievement specifically requires you to find all Power Upgrade chests.
Can I get Power Points from sources other than chests?
Yes. You also earn Power Points from completing main story missions and some side missions. The chests are an additional source, not the only one. In total, you can earn more than 21 points, but the chests are the only collectible source.
What is the best order to collect the chests?
There is no strict order, but it’s best to grab the ones in the Executive and Research Sectors early, as they are easier. Save the ones in the Foundation and AWE DLCs for later, as they require high-level abilities and are in more dangerous areas.
Are any chests permanently missable?
No. You can return to any area after the story to collect missed chests. The game has no point of no return. Even after the final mission, you can continue exploring.
Do chests appear on the map if you get close?
No, they are not marked on the map at all. You have to rely on visual exploration and sometimes audio cues (a subtle humming sound). Some players use online guides, but the chests are always in the same places.
Can I use a guide to find them, or is that cheating?
Using a guide is fine—it’s a single-player game. Many players use guides for collectibles to save time. It doesn’t affect your experience or the game’s integrity.
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