FBC: Firebreak - The Unexpected Multiplayer FPS Hit

Control was crowned IGN’s Game of the Year in 2019, and I was among the editors who voted for it. However, I initially approached Remedy's announcement of a multiplayer game with skepticism. Known for their compelling single-player narratives in third-person games, Remedy surprised us with FBC: Firebreak, a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years post-Control. After viewing a hands-off demo, my doubts were quickly dispelled. Firebreak stands out as refreshingly original in a crowded market, uniquely weird amidst the typical military and sci-fi shooters, and it doesn't demand the extensive time commitment seen in many modern games. As game director Mike Kayatta stated, "We're not about daily check-ins. We're not interested in monthly grinds. We don't want to give anybody a second job." A sentiment that truly resonates.

FBC: Firebreak is designed as a three-player cooperative FPS that promises a straightforward experience. You can dive in for a quick 20-minute session or extend your playtime to a few hours, with Perk unlocks and character combinations ensuring each session feels fresh. But what exactly are you doing in The Oldest House with an arsenal of bizarre weapons? You're stepping into the shoes of volunteer first responders when chaos erupts. Your characters might be secretaries, rangers, or other everyday workers who answer the call to duty. The Federal Bureau of Control might not label you as expendable, but let's be real, you kind of are.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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Upon logging in, you select a Job (mission) and a Crisis Kit (your loadout), set the Threat Level (difficulty), and choose your Clearance Level, which dictates the number of zones you'll navigate. These zones are segmented by containment doors, leading you to the next phase of your Job. The demo showcased a Job named Paper Chase, set in a seemingly ordinary office section of the FBC building. Here, you and your teammates must combat the spreading Hiss.

While you can make a swift exit, lingering to gather currency for upgrades and new gear increases the challenge of returning to HQ unscathed. Speaking of gear, FBC: Firebreak distinguishes itself with an array of quirky, homebrew-feeling weapons. From a hand-cranked snowball launcher that can douse fires and sticky-note monsters, to a zapper that can unleash lightning storms, and even a wrench that, when fitted with a squeaky piggy bank, sends a whirlwind of coins at foes. Traditional options like machine guns and shotguns are also available, especially useful after dealing with the aforementioned sticky-note monsters.

The core objective of the Paper Chase Job is to eliminate all sticky notes before they overrun the building. The number of notes to destroy increases as you progress, culminating in a battle against a colossal sticky-note monster reminiscent of Spider-Man 3's Sandman, but made of Post-It notes.

Beyond the unique weaponry, FBC: Firebreak introduces engaging in-universe gameplay mechanics. These include an office supply shelf for ammo replenishment, a makeshift turret assembled from a box, a stereo speaker to ward off the Hiss, and a rinse station to remove aggressive sticky notes. Unlockable Perks add further depth, such as one 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 enhances its effect, and three can even share the benefit with nearby teammates.

Notably, FBC: Firebreak accommodates solo and duo play, not just trios. Remedy aims for 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 is Steam Deck verified and will launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, as well as PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium. While Remedy has plans for post-launch content and will offer paid cosmetics, these will be the extent of the game's microtransactions.

FBC FirebreakRemedyTBA 2025 Wishlist

Though I haven't yet played FBC: Firebreak, it certainly looks promising. It's clear that this is no ordinary multiplayer shooter, and the ability to enjoy it without a massive ongoing time commitment feels like a welcome return to simpler times in gaming.