FBC: Firebreak - The Unexpected Multiplayer FPS Hit

Control was crowned IGN's Game of the Year in 2019, and as one of the editors who voted for it, I was initially skeptical when Remedy, known for crafting compelling single-player narratives in third-person games, announced a multiplayer venture for Control. However, my doubts were quickly dispelled upon seeing a hands-off demo of FBC: Firebreak, a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years after the events of Control. Firebreak stands out as refreshingly original in the crowded multiplayer shooter genre, offering a delightfully weird experience amidst the sea of typical military and sci-fi shooters. Perhaps most importantly, it doesn't demand a massive time commitment like many of 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 three-player cooperative FPS designed for flexibility. Whether you have 20 minutes or a few hours, the game accommodates your schedule, with Perk unlocks and new character combinations keeping the gameplay fresh for repeat sessions. Set in The Oldest House, players take on the role of volunteer first responders tackling crises with an array of bizarre weaponry. These characters, ranging from secretaries to rangers, step up when things go awry. The Federal Bureau of Control might not admit it, but these volunteers are, in essence, expendable.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

8 Images

When you start a session, you select a Job (mission) and a Crisis Kit (loadout), then set the Threat Level (difficulty) and Clearance Level, which determines the number of zones you'll navigate. These zones are separated by containment doors leading to different stages of the Job. The demo showcased a Job called Paper Chase, set in an office section of the FBC building where players must fend off the spreading Hiss. You can choose to escape quickly or explore to collect currencies for upgrading and purchasing new gear, though the longer you linger, the more challenging it becomes to return safely to HQ.

FBC: Firebreak distinguishes itself with its unique weaponry. Many guns have a charmingly homemade feel, like a hand-cranked snowball launcher that can extinguish fires and soak sticky-note monsters, or a cobbled-together zapper that can unleash lightning storms on enemies when equipped with the right nozzle. There's also a large wrench that, when fitted with a squeaky piggy bank toy, causes a swirl of coins to pelt opponents. Traditional firearms like machine guns and shotguns are also available, the latter being particularly effective against sticky-note monsters after they've been soaked or zapped.

The Job's objective is to eliminate all sticky notes before they overrun the building. The number of sticky notes to destroy is displayed in the upper left corner, and it increases as the mission progresses, culminating in a battle against a gigantic sticky-note monster reminiscent of Sandman from Spider-Man 3, but made of Post-It notes.

Beyond the quirky weapons, the game features engaging in-universe mechanics such as office supply shelves for ammo replenishment, makeshift turrets built from boxes, stereo speakers to repel the Hiss, and rinse stations to remove aggressive sticky notes. Unlockable Perks add variety and spice to the gameplay, like a Perk that returns missed bullets to your clip, and another that allows you to extinguish yourself by jumping up and down. Collecting multiple instances of the same Perk amplifies its effect, and three Perks enable you to share the benefit with nearby teammates.

FBC: Firebreak supports solo play and duos, in addition to three-player co-op. Remedy is targeting a lower minimum PC spec than usual, while also supporting advanced features like DLSS4 with multi-frame generation, nVidia Reflex, and full ray-tracing. The game will be Steam Deck verified and will launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra, and Premium on day one. A post-launch content plan is in the works, though details are not yet available, and the game will include paid cosmetics as its only form of microtransactions.

FBC Firebreak
Remedy
TBA 2025 Wishlist

While I haven't played FBC: Firebreak yet, it certainly looks promising. It's not just another multiplayer shooter; it's a unique and engaging experience. The fact that it allows for quick sessions without demanding a significant ongoing time commitment harks back to a time when such flexibility was the norm in gaming.