FBC: Firebreak Is the Control Multiplayer FPS I Didn’t Know I Wanted

Control, IGN's 2019 Game of the Year, surprised many when developer Remedy announced a multiplayer spin-off. My initial skepticism about a multiplayer Control game quickly vanished after witnessing a hands-off demo of FBC: Firebreak. This three-player PvE first-person shooter, set six years after Control, is a breath of fresh air in an oversaturated market. Its delightfully bizarre setting and surprisingly low time commitment stand out. 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." That's music to my ears!

FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative FPS emphasizing flexible playtime. Engage for 20 minutes or several hours; unlocking perks and experimenting with character combinations keeps each session fresh. The premise? You're volunteer first responders in The Oldest House, facing increasingly chaotic situations. Your characters—secretaries, rangers, and other everyday individuals—are, let's say, expendable.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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Gameplay begins by selecting a Job (mission), Crisis Kit (loadout), Threat Level (difficulty), and Clearance Level (number of zones). Zones are separated by containment doors. The demo showcased "Paper Chase," set in a mundane office area. The Hiss are spreading, and your team must repel them. Escape with currency to upgrade gear; extended exploration increases difficulty but yields greater rewards.

FBC: Firebreak's unique weaponry sets it apart. Many guns have a charmingly makeshift feel. Examples include a hand-cranked snowball launcher (extinguishes fires and enemies), a customizable zapper (rains lightning), and a wrench that, when combined with a piggy bank, pelts opponents with coins. Standard weapons like machine guns and shotguns are also present, particularly useful against larger sticky-note enemies.

The core objective of "Paper Chase" is eliminating sticky notes before they overwhelm the building. A final encounter with a giant sticky-note monster awaits.

Beyond the weapons, fun in-universe mechanics enhance gameplay. These include ammo-replenishing office supply shelves, makeshift turrets, Hiss-repelling stereo speakers, and a sticky-note-removing rinse station. Unlockable Perks add further variety. Examples shown include a perk that returns missed bullets and another that allows self-extinguishing through jumping. Multiple identical perks grant stronger effects, with three allowing sharing with teammates.

FBC: Firebreak supports solo, duo, and three-player modes. Remedy aims for lower minimum PC specs while supporting DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation, Nvidia Reflex, and full ray tracing. Steam Deck verification is confirmed, and the game launches on Xbox and PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, on day one. Post-launch content is planned, with microtransactions limited to paid cosmetics.

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While I haven't played FBC: Firebreak, initial impressions are highly positive. It's a refreshing departure from typical multiplayer shooters, offering a unique experience with a manageable time commitment.