FBC: Firebreak - The Unexpected Control Multiplayer FPS Hit

When Remedy Entertainment, known for crafting compelling single-player narratives in third-person games, announced they were venturing into multiplayer with *Control*, I was among the skeptics. Yet, their latest project, *FBC: Firebreak*, a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years after the events of *Control*, quickly dispelled any doubts. The hands-off demo showcased a game that's refreshingly original in a crowded market, delightfully weird amidst a sea of generic military and sci-fi shooters, and best of all, it doesn't demand a significant time investment. As game director Mike Kayatta succinctly put it, "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 that promises a straightforward experience. You can dive in for a quick 20-minute session or spend a few hours, with Perk unlocks and new character combinations keeping the gameplay fresh. But what exactly are you doing back in The Oldest House with an arsenal of bizarre weaponry? You're essentially volunteer first responders when things go awry. Your characters are ordinary folks—secretaries, rangers—who step up when needed. The Federal Bureau of Control might not call you expendable, but let's face it, you are.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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When you log in to play *FBC: Firebreak*, you choose a Job (mission), a Crisis Kit (your loadout), set the Threat Level (difficulty), and the Clearance Level, which determines the number of zones you'll navigate. These zones are separated by containment doors, leading you to the next stage of the Job. The demo showcased a Job called "Paper Chase," set in a mundane office section of the FBC building, where you and your teammates must combat the spreading Hiss.

You can escape quickly if you wish, but to acquire currencies for upgrading and purchasing new gear, you'll need to safely return with them. The longer you explore, the more challenging it becomes to make it back to HQ unscathed.

*FBC: Firebreak* distinguishes itself with its unique weaponry. Many guns have a charming, homebrew feel, like the hand-cranked snowball launcher that can extinguish fires or soak sticky-note monsters. There's also a cobbled-together zapper that, with the right nozzle, can unleash lightning storms on enemies, and a large wrench that, when fitted with a squeaky piggy bank, pelts opponents with coins. While you'll find standard weapons like machine guns and shotguns, the latter is especially useful against the soaked or zapped sticky-note monsters.

The main objective of the "Paper Chase" Job is to eliminate all sticky notes before they overrun the building. Keep an eye on the number of sticky notes left to destroy, shown in the upper left corner, as it will increase as the mission progresses. Eventually, you'll face off 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* incorporates fun in-universe mechanics like office supply shelves that refill your ammo, makeshift turrets built from boxes, stereo speakers that repel the Hiss, and rinse stations to remove aggressive sticky notes. Unlockable Perks add 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 supported. Remedy aims for a lower minimum PC spec but will also support advanced features like DLSS4 with multi-frame generation, nVidia Reflex, and full ray-tracing. The game will be Steam Deck verified and launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, as well as PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium on day one. While there's a post-launch content plan and paid cosmetics, microtransactions will be limited to these.

FBC FirebreakRemedyTBA 2025 Wishlist

While I haven't played *FBC: Firebreak* yet, the demo certainly passes the eye test. This is far from a typical multiplayer shooter, and that's a good thing. Its design as a get-in and get-out online game, without requiring a massive ongoing time commitment, harkens back to a time when such games were the norm.