FBC: Firebreak Proves Remedy Can Make An Insanely Fun Multiplayer Game (Hands-On Preview)

Remedy Entertainment announced FBC: Firebreak back in the Summer of 2021. Described as a team-based player vs. environment first-person shooter, Firebreak is Remedy’s first multiplayer game set within the connected Control universe.

During Summer Game Fest Play Days, I spent hands-on time with the upcoming game ahead of its worldwide launch on June 17th. Here are my thoughts on the preview session and why this might be worth checking out if you enjoy intriguing multiplayer games.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

FBC: Firebreak takes place in The Oldest House and revolves around a team of three Federal Bureau of Control first responders working together to eliminate extradimensional Hiss wreaking havoc on the facility. Each player has three crisis kits, aka loadouts, to choose from, including the following:

• Fix Kit – Comes with a wrench to repair things and attack enemies.
• Splash Kit – Comes with a fluid injector to put out fires and use against enemies.
• Jump Kit – Comes with a charge impactor to electrify objects and enemies.

Assigning one particular kit to each player is the most effective strategy for success. The missions you embark on are called jobs, with adjustable threat level difficulty settings to make things more challenging. While this game is tied to the Control universe, there is no requirement to play those games to immerse yourself in this experience.

During the demo session, my team chose the Paper Chase job. The objective was to eliminate all the sticky notes located on various floors throughout the building. As the Hiss continued to make their presence known, they took on many forms, including larger-than-life sticky note monsters who had to be defeated. These encounters added to the overall fun factor for the game, as you still had to fend off enemies while completing your goal.

In addition to this, the kits that you choose before each mission play a vital role in how you can survive as a team. If you have a Fix Kit, you can use the wrench to repair broken showers and obstacles you come across. Showers are an essential element of the game because the water spraying from the nozzle can regenerate the health of you and your teammates. I only had enough time to play with this kit, but I’m eager to try out the other options soon.

FBC: Firebreak was made using Remedy’s Northlight engine and looks spectacular. These crisp visuals, coupled with the comical nature of the types of enemies you face, make for quite an entertaining experience right out of the gate. Firebreak offers cross-play support and has no free-to-play model or microtransactions. Remedy has plans to support this game with post-launch content too, as long as the community continues to support it.

Verdict So Far

While my demo was short, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I’m convinced Remedy is nailing their first multiplayer title so far. I look forward to spending more time with Firebreak when it goes live next week.

FBC: Firebreak launches on June 17th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Stay tuned for our review later this month, and let us know below if you’re looking forward to the game.