FBC: Firebreak – Remedy Entertainment’s Paranormal Co-op Shooter Broadens the Control Universe

Renowned studio Remedy Entertainment, celebrated for its immersive storytelling in titles such as Alan Wake and Control, is venturing into uncharted waters with its latest endeavor: FBC: Firebreak. This new three-player cooperative first-person shooter represents an exciting extension of the Control universe, presenting gamers with a fast-paced, fresh experience imbued with the bizarre and enigmatic realm of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC).

Taking place six years following the events of Control, FBC: Firebreak unfolds in the wake of Jesse Faden’s time as Director. The Oldest House, the FBC’s constantly evolving headquarters, is now under emergency conditions. The Hiss—paranormal forces familiar to Control enthusiasts—have intensified, prompting a complete quarantine lockdown. Players assume the roles of new FBC recruits, part of the Firebreak Initiative, an elite cleanup team responsible for managing the outbreak and reinstating order.

An Efficient Approach to Co-op Gameplay

In contrast to numerous contemporary multiplayer shooters that often depend on extensive progression systems and intricate class frameworks, FBC: Firebreak embraces a more efficient and user-friendly methodology. Remedy has constructed the game with players’ time in mind, prioritizing engaging gameplay moments rather than convoluted systems.

Central to this design are two fundamental mechanisms: Crisis Kits and Requestions.

– Crisis Kits: Serving as simplified class setups, these offer players three unique playstyles at launch—Jump, Fix, and Splash. Each kit is equipped with specific tools, deployable gadgets, and formidable “altered augments” acting as super abilities.
– Requestions: These unlockable items encompass various additions ranging from new weapons and grenades to cosmetic skins and sprays. While the majority of Requestions can be acquired through gameplay, premium “Classified Requestions” present extra cosmetic options for committed players.

Exploring the Crisis Kits

Each Crisis Kit embodies a distinct role on the battlefield, promoting team collaboration and experimentation.

– Jump Kit: A master of crowd control, the Jump Kit utilizes electricity-based tools to stun and harm foes. Its primary weapon, the Electro-kinetic Charge Impacter, merges the functionality of a defibrillator with a pogo stick, capable of energizing machinery and executing powerful strikes.
– Splash Kit: Centered on support and area management, the Splash Kit provides players with a water-based arsenal. It can heal allies, put out fires, and disrupt enemies, rendering it crucial for survival amidst chaotic confrontations.
– Fix Kit: A melee-centric setup, the Fix Kit is armed with a wrench for both combat and equipment repairs. It’s ideal for those who relish close-quarters combat and delivers satisfying, exaggerated animations with every swing.

Each kit also features deployable items that boost team effectiveness. From traditional turrets to unconventional gadgets like boomboxes and humidifiers, these assets can attract, hinder, or weaken enemies, facilitating combo attacks and tactical maneuvers.

Altered Augments further elevate gameplay by enhancing primary tools with supernatural attributes. For instance, the Piggy Bank augment adds shrapnel to the Fix Kit’s wrench, inflicting damage over time, while the Garden Gnome creates a controllable electric storm for the Jump Kit.

Mission Variety and Level Design

During a hands-on preview of an early build, three missions were highlighted: Hot Fix, Paper Chase, and Ground Control. Each mission presented a unique environment and gameplay cycle, underscoring the game’s range and inventiveness.

– Hot Fix: Located in the Maintenance Sector, this mission challenges teams to stop blast furnaces from overheating. Players must repair fans, douse fires, and fend off Hiss waves while engaging in a button-sequence minigame reminiscent of Helldivers 2.
– Paper Chase: Set in the familiar office areas of the Oldest House, this level introduces an unusual new adversary—Hiss formed from sticky notes. The surreal imagery and fluid-like enemy behavior evoke references to games like Splatoon and Powerwash Simulator.
– Ground Control: Situated in the quarry area, this mission tasks players with collecting pearls from astral leeches and loading them into a containment shuttle. It mixes enemy elimination with resource management, providing a gratifying combination of action and strategy.

Additionally, each level features healing stations resembling showers, which must be activated before use. This introduces suspense into the gameplay, as players need to protect themselves while awaiting the stations’ activation.

A Quicker, More Flexible Control Experience

While Control was noted for its calculated pacing and narrative complexity, FBC: Firebreak accelerates towards a more action-oriented gameplay style. The mechanics feel quicker and more reactive, drawing inspiration from cooperative classics like Left 4 Dead. Nevertheless, it maintains the eerie ambiance and reality-bending design that made Control stand out.

Traditional firearms, such as revolvers and shotguns, carry a weighty and