Just hours after diving into FBC: Firebreak, I found myself indulging in a scrumptious cream cake. Unfortunately, my notorious clumsiness led to a blob of cream landing in my blood orange cocktail, swirling into it. As I watched the mix, it transported me back to the eerie corridors of the Federal Bureau of Control, where I was firing bursts of energy at the glowing red enemies. This kind of whimsical connection is typical of the effect a visit to Remedy’s headquarters has on the mind.
Remedy Entertainment, known for its diverse portfolio ranging from horror to sci-fi and neo-noir detective fiction, has always embraced a playful side. Firebreak, their latest venture into first-person and co-op multiplayer action, exemplifies this. In just a two-hour session, I annihilated foes with a mischievous garden gnome and battled a colossal sticky note monster. This experience solidified my belief that Remedy can inject the unique and bizarre into the often serious world of online shooters.
FBC: Firebreak - Gameplay Screenshots
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Set six years after the events of Remedy’s 2019 hit, Control, Firebreak revisits The Oldest House, a setting that will resonate with fans of Jesse Faden’s journey. The familiar brutalist architecture and Finnish folk tunes create a comforting yet unsettling atmosphere. Players, in teams of up to three, re-enter this X-Files-inspired government building to combat localized outbreaks of the Hiss, the inter-dimensional threat from Control. Armed with shotguns instead of proton packs, you're essentially the universe's Ghostbusters, and here, crossing the streams is highly encouraged.
Firebreak introduces three distinct "kits" or classes that enhance team dynamics in unique ways. The Fix Kit enables quick repairs of machines like ammo stations and healing showers, a quirky feature where FBC employees replenish health by getting drenched. The Splash Kit equips a hydro cannon that can heal teammates and drench enemies, while the Jump Kit features an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor that can stun foes. These kits, when combined, unleash powerful effects, such as electrifying a soaked enemy.
While Firebreak can be played solo, it's designed with teamwork in mind. Missions, known as "jobs," follow a standard structure: enter, complete objectives, and exit via the elevator. My first mission involved repairing faulty heat fans in the building's furnace amidst enemy waves. The subsequent "Paper Chase" mission required us to destroy thousands of sticky notes, with Hiss enemies and damaging notes complicating our efforts. The synergy between players and the elemental kits made these challenges both fun and engaging, supported by solid gunplay.
The third mission in the Black Rock Quarry demanded even more coordination. We had to shoot leeches to obtain radioactive pearls, contain them in a shuttle, and move them along a track, all while managing radiation exposure and fending off enemies. This mission underscored the importance of communication in Firebreak.
Regarding map design, Firebreak opts for more straightforward, linear spaces compared to the labyrinthine complexity of Control’s Oldest House. While this makes navigation easier, it somewhat diminishes the unpredictable charm that fans loved. Don't expect the awe-inspiring Ashtray Maze; instead, you'll find more grounded environments. However, completing missions unlocks higher clearance levels, expanding maps and adding new challenges and enemies, including intriguing bosses like the giant sticky note beast that required both strategy and teamwork to defeat.
Firebreak's quirky elements, like monsters made from everyday objects and randomly spawning corrupted items (such as a rubber duck that diverts enemies or traffic lights that deal damage), continue Remedy’s tradition of blending the weird with the familiar. Unlocking new tools and abilities, like the Splash Kit’s Teapot that burns enemies or the Jump Kit’s chaotic garden gnome, adds depth to the gameplay. Yet, amidst the fun, readability can be an issue with so much happening on screen, which the developers are actively addressing before the June 17 launch.
At launch, Firebreak will offer five jobs, with two more planned by the end of 2025. Game director Mike Kayatta describes these as "game modes," offering replayability through evolving objectives and clearance levels. Priced at $39.99 / €39.99 / £32.99 and available on Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, Firebreak promises substantial value for both Control veterans and newcomers seeking a fun shooter experience.
The path of an always-online co-op shooter is challenging, but Firebreak's strong foundation, combined with Remedy’s distinctive quirky flair, positions it well to carve a niche in the genre. Just like the cream in my cocktail, it's a unique blend that I thoroughly enjoyed.
