Mere hours after diving into FBC: Firebreak, I found myself indulging in a delicious cream cake. But, in typical clumsy fashion, I managed to drop a dollop of cream into my blood orange cocktail. As I watched it swirl, my mind was instantly transported back to the eerie corridors of the Federal Bureau of Control, firing bursts of energy at the glowing red Hiss. This kind of surreal connection is exactly what a visit to Remedy's headquarters does to your brain.
Remedy Entertainment, known for titles like Alan Wake and Max Payne, has a knack for blending genres from horror to sci-fi and neo-noir detective fiction. What sets Remedy apart is their fearless embrace of the absurd. Firebreak, their latest venture into first-person and co-op multiplayer, is no exception. During a two-hour session, I found myself obliterating foes with a murderous garden gnome and battling a towering sticky note monster. It's this unique blend of weirdness that makes Remedy stand out in the often overly 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 returns players to The Oldest House. Fans of Jesse Faden's story will recognize both the grand architecture and the quirky details, from brutalist pillars to Finnish folk music echoing through the halls. In Firebreak, squads re-enter this mysterious government building to tackle localized Hiss outbreaks, acting much like Ghostbusters, but with shotguns instead of proton packs. And yes, crossing the streams is encouraged here.
Players can choose from three different "kits," which serve as Firebreak's classes. The Fix Kit lets you repair essential machinery like ammo stations and healing showers, the latter of which hilariously replenishes your health by drenching you in water. The Splash Kit equips you with a hydro cannon to heal teammates and douse enemies, while the Jump Kit features an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor that can shock and stun foes. Combining these kits leads to explosive synergy, especially when you imagine the effects of electrifying a water-soaked enemy.
Although Firebreak can be played solo, it's designed for three-player teamwork. Missions, or "jobs," follow a familiar structure: enter, complete objectives, and return to the elevator. My first mission involved fixing faulty heat fans while fending off waves of enemies, a straightforward yet tense task. The "Paper Chase" mission, however, was a different beast, requiring us to destroy thousands of sticky notes amidst regular Hiss attacks. These notes could attach to us and cause damage, adding a literal twist to the phrase "death by a thousand paper cuts."
The third mission took place in The Oldest House's Black Rock Quarry, requiring intense teamwork to shoot radioactive leeches and move pearls along a track. The challenge was compounded by the need for frequent showers to cleanse radiation and relentless enemy waves. Despite the chaos, it was fun and engaging.
While the mission objectives are satisfying, Firebreak's map design leaves me with mixed feelings. The Oldest House in Control was a labyrinth of secrets and shifting corridors, but Firebreak's maps are more linear and less complex. This makes navigation easier in a first-person setting, but it also strips away some of the unpredictable charm. Don't expect wonders like the Ashtray Maze; instead, you'll find more grounded, simpler surroundings.
Completing missions unlocks clearance levels, adding new objectives and expanding the maps. Bosses, ranging from bullet-sponges to intriguing creatures like the giant sticky note monster, gate progress. These encounters require a mix of communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking, reminiscent of the final stages in Space Marine 2's expeditions.
Firebreak's quirky elements, like monsters made from everyday objects, echo the weirdness of Control. Randomly spawning corrupted items, such as a rubber duck that redirects enemies or traffic lights that deal heavy damage, add to the game's unique flavor. However, readability remains a concern. The chaotic visual overload can make navigation and tactical play challenging, an issue the developers are actively addressing before the June 17 launch.
Firebreak will launch with five jobs, with two more promised by the end of 2025. These are designed more like game modes, offering replayability and depth through multiple clearance levels and evolving objectives. Priced at $39.99 / €39.99 / £32.99 and included in Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, Firebreak offers solid value for both Control veterans and newcomers seeking a fun, quirky shooter.
Navigating the crowded space of online co-op shooters is challenging, but Firebreak's strong foundation and Remedy's distinctive touch give it a promising chance to carve out its niche. Just like that unexpected dollop of cream added a new dimension to my cocktail, Firebreak adds a fresh twist to the genre. And yes, I still enjoyed every sip.
