"FBC: Firebreak - The Unexpected Multiplayer FPS Hit"

Control was IGN’s Game of the Year in 2019, and I was among the many editors who voted for it. However, when Remedy, a studio renowned for crafting compelling single-player stories in third-person games, announced a multiplayer project for Control, I had my doubts. That project turned out to be FBC: Firebreak, a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years after the events of Control. But after seeing a hands-off demo, my skepticism vanished. Firebreak is a breath of fresh air in a saturated market, offering a delightfully unique twist on the usual military and sci-fi online shooters. Perhaps most importantly, it doesn't demand a massive time commitment, 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 co-op FPS that promises a no-nonsense experience. You can play for as little as 20 minutes or extend your session for hours, with Perk unlocks and new character combinations keeping each run exciting. But what exactly are you doing back in The Oldest House, armed with an array of bizarre weaponry? You're stepping into the shoes of volunteer first responders when things go awry. Your characters are everyday folks—secretaries, rangers, and others—answering the call to duty. The Federal Bureau of Control might not call you expendable, but let's be honest, you're pretty much expendable.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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When you dive into FBC: Firebreak, you select a Job (mission), a Crisis Kit (your loadout), and set the Threat Level (difficulty) and Clearance Level, which determines how many zones you'll navigate in a run. These zones are separated by containment doors, leading you to the next stage of the Job. The Job I witnessed, called Paper Chase, unfolds in a seemingly mundane office section of the FBC building where the Hiss are spreading. It's up to you and your teammates to push them back.

You can choose to escape as quickly as possible, but to access currencies for upgrades and new gear, you must safely exit with them. The longer you explore for currency, the more challenging it becomes to return to HQ unscathed.

FBC: Firebreak distinguishes itself with its quirky weaponry. Many guns boast a charmingly unusual, homebrew feel. Take the hand-cranked snowball-launcher that can extinguish fires and douse the sticky-note monsters, or the cobbled-together zapper that, with the right nozzle, can summon lightning storms. There's even a wrench with a piggy bank attachment that sends a swirl of coins at your foes. Of course, you'll also find staples like machine guns and shotguns, the latter being your go-to after dealing with the sticky-note monsters.

Speaking of which, the primary goal of the Paper Chase Job is to eliminate all sticky notes before they overrun the brutalist building. Keep an eye on the number of remaining sticky notes in the upper left corner—it increases 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 features engaging in-universe gameplay mechanics. From office supply shelves that replenish ammo to makeshift turrets built from boxes, stereo speakers that repel the Hiss, and rinse stations that remove aggressive sticky notes, the game is full of surprises. Unlockable Perks add further variety, such as one that returns missed bullets to your clip or another that lets you extinguish yourself by jumping. If you get two of the same Perk, you receive a stronger version; three, and you can share the effect with nearby teammates.

You don't need three players to enjoy FBC: Firebreak; solo and duo play are also options. Remedy aims for a lower minimum PC spec than usual, but the game will also support DLSS4 with multi-frame generation, nVidia Reflex, and full ray-tracing. It will be Steam Deck verified and launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra, and Premium on day one. While Remedy has a post-launch content plan in the works, details are yet to be revealed. There will be paid cosmetics, but these are the only microtransactions planned.

FBC FirebreakRemedyTBA 2025 Wishlist

While I haven't played FBC: Firebreak yet, it certainly looks promising. It's clear this isn't your typical multiplayer shooter, and that's a good thing. The game's design, which allows for quick, enjoyable sessions without requiring a massive ongoing commitment, harkens back to a time when such flexibility was the norm in gaming.