There are 8 Pope’s Research places to be located in Control Resonant. The places are located in various locations and include rooftops, sky islands, and street-level areas. It may be quite challenging to access some of them, as you will have to glide through gravity wells. This guide shows you where to find all 8 locations and how to reach each one.
All Pope’s Research Locations
“Pope’s Research” is a side mission in Control – Resonant which unlocks upon completing the main mission “The Hedron Link.” In this mission, the Pope will ask for assistance in gathering more data on the Patterning of the Unknown Zone. Successful completion of this mission will grant the player 1 Resonant Token and access to the trophy/achievement “Budding Analyst.”
Balloon 1/8 – Oldest House Rooftop – Unknown
You should go by elevator up to Roof Access in the Unknown and get onto the roof. Remember to open the door leading to the roof before going on to the balloon. After dropping the balloon crate down, pick up the relays and place one on the red circle nearby. Take the other relay up the stairs on the right, scale the wall, then go left to find the second circle.
Balloon 2/8 – Tower Island
Right near where you placed the second relay, look up to find a gravity well. Get on it to be dropped down below. If you time yourself during the drop to make yourself land near the Hotel sign, then you can unlock the Twisted Rooftops fast travel point. There is also a map tower you should unlock nearby, past the Hotel sign.
Move north from the fast travel point to find the blue mold in Tower Island. Go over the floating islands and head down to the street to find the balloon. Don’t forget to place the relays after that. You will find one red circle to the west of where you picked up the relays, which can be found after scaling the red scaly wall. The second relay can be placed in the red circle nearby, down the alley.
Balloon 3/8 – Street Below Tower Island
Leap towards the street at the bottom of Tower Island using the help of the gravity well that will spawn after placing the last relay previously. Press L1 to glide down and locate the balloon along the way. As for the relay placement, one should be placed in the area beyond the pizza place just straight ahead, while the other should be placed on the rooftop directly above where you bust the balloon.
Balloon 4/8 – South of the Map Tower
Make use of the gravity well to get the Oldest House and then fast travel to Twisted Rooftops. From there, travel south towards the map tower to get the balloon. As for placing the relays, look over the edge of the building to find a rooftop with the red circle and place one relay there.
From there, turn around and head back to the balloon building by grappling towards the rooftop on your right. You will find the second red circle to place the relay here.
Balloon 5/8 – Factory Island
Take a ride using the gravity well to cross over to Factory Island. After crossing over, locate the door at the brick rooftops where the balloon can be found. Don’t forget to uncover the Factory Island fast travel point on one of the rooftops nearby. Head up and take a closer look around to find it. There are also two relay points, one on the west side and one just south of the previous relay location.
Balloon 6/8 – Next Floating Island
Using the gravity well, propel yourself towards the next floating island, and land on the crane’s load platform. This is where the balloon will be located. While falling, you will spot one of the relay spots near the balloon, so place one relay here. The other relay spot is in the southern section of the area.
Balloon 7/8 – Patterned Evac Building Island
Use the gravity well to make the leap onto the island where the evacuation building with patterns can be found. The balloon will be found in this building. There’s also a Patterned Evac Building fast travel point inside the building close to where the balloon landed.
Balloon 8/8 – Central Island
Head for the gravity well that leads to the map tower, or use the tower fast travel point. When you get there, jump onto the road below to locate the last balloon. Place both relays to get the final objective, which is to Investigate Point 0.
Head back to the map tower and pass through the moving cars while aiming for the platform in the center. Press the respective button that appears and wait until the quest automatically completes, and you will get the Budding Analyst achievement right after.
