When Remedy, the studio behind the acclaimed single-player game *Control*, announced their venture into multiplayer with *FBC: Firebreak*, skepticism was understandable. As an IGN editor who voted *Control* as Game of the Year in 2019, I shared those doubts. However, after experiencing a hands-off demo of *FBC: Firebreak*, a three-player PvE first-person shooter set six years post-*Control*, my reservations vanished. This game offers a refreshingly original experience in a genre often flooded with similar military and sci-fi themes. It's delightfully weird and, importantly, doesn't demand a massive time commitment, a common requirement among its contemporaries. As game director Mike Kayatta emphasized, "We're not about daily check-ins. We're not interested in monthly grinds. We don't want to give anybody a second job."
*FBC: Firebreak* is a cooperative FPS designed for quick, enjoyable sessions, with the flexibility to play for 20 minutes or a few hours. The game keeps things fresh with Perk unlocks and new character combinations, encouraging repeat plays. Players find themselves back in The Oldest House as volunteer first responders, equipped with an array of bizarre weaponry. You play as characters from various "normal" professions, stepping up when things go awry. The Federal Bureau of Control might not call you expendable, but the reality is quite clear.
FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots
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Upon logging into *FBC: Firebreak*, you select a Job (mission), a Crisis Kit (loadout), set the Threat Level (difficulty), and Clearance Level, which determines the number of zones you'll traverse. Each zone is separated by containment doors, leading to the next stage of your Job. In the demo, I saw a Job called Paper Chase set in a mundane office section of the FBC building, where you and your team combat the spreading Hiss. You can escape early, but to upgrade and acquire new gear, you need to safely collect and return with currencies, making exploration a risky endeavor.
What sets *FBC: Firebreak* apart are its charmingly unusual weapons with a homebrew feel. Imagine a hand-cranked snowball launcher that can douse fires or sticky-note monsters, or a zapper that can summon lightning storms with the right attachment. There's also a wrench that, when paired with a squeaky piggy bank toy, unleashes a coin storm on enemies. Traditional weapons like machine guns and shotguns remain, especially useful after dealing with those sticky-note monsters.
Speaking of which, the Paper Chase Job focuses on eradicating these sticky notes before they overrun the building. The number of notes left to destroy is tracked in the upper left corner, increasing as the mission progresses, culminating in a battle against a gigantic sticky-note monster reminiscent of Spider-Man 3's Sandman, but made of Post-It notes.
Beyond the quirky weapons, *FBC: Firebreak* introduces fun in-universe mechanics like office supply shelves for ammo refills, makeshift turrets, stereo speakers to repel the Hiss, and rinse stations to remove aggressive sticky notes. Unlockable Perks add further variety, such as one that returns missed bullets to your clip or another that lets you extinguish yourself by jumping. Collecting multiple instances of the same Perk enhances its effect, and three Perks can be shared with teammates.
You don't need a trio to play; solo and duo modes are available. Remedy aims for a lower minimum PC spec but also supports advanced features like DLSS4, nVidia Reflex, and full ray-tracing. *FBC: Firebreak* will be Steam Deck verified and launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, as well as PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium on day one. While Remedy has a post-launch content plan and will offer paid cosmetics, these are the only microtransactions planned.
FBC FirebreakRemedy Wishlist
Although I haven't played *FBC: Firebreak* yet, it certainly looks promising. It's not just another run-of-the-mill multiplayer shooter; it's a refreshing, get-in-and-get-out experience reminiscent of the days when gaming didn't demand constant commitments.
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