FBC: Firebreak - The Year's Weirdest Shooter

Mere hours after diving into FBC: Firebreak, I found myself indulging in a delicious cream cake. In a clumsy twist of fate, a dollop of cream landed in my blood orange cocktail, swirling into a mesmerizing blend that transported me back to the eerie halls of the Federal Bureau of Control. As I fired bursts of liquid at the glowing red enemies, I realized the twisted leap of logic that a visit to Remedy's headquarters can induce in one's brain.

Remedy, the studio behind Alan Wake and Max Payne, is known for its eclectic mix of horror, sci-fi, and neo-noir detective fiction. What I've always admired about them is their willingness to embrace silliness. Firebreak, their latest venture into first-person shooting and co-op multiplayer, is a testament to this. During a two-hour session, I obliterated foes with a murderous garden gnome and battled a 30-foot-high sticky note behemoth. This convinced me that Remedy's unique blend of weirdness could stand out in the often 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 to The Oldest House. Fans will recognize the brutalist architecture and Finnish folk music, creating a familiar yet unsettling atmosphere. In Firebreak, squads reenter this X-Files-like government building to combat localized outbreaks of the Hiss, Control's inter-dimensional threat. You and up to two teammates become this universe's Ghostbusters, armed with double-barreled shotguns instead of proton packs, where crossing the streams is encouraged.

Beyond standard weapons, players can choose from three "kits" that function as classes, each aiding the team in unique ways. The Fix Kit allows quick repairs of machines like ammo stations and healing showers, where FBC employees restore health by getting drenched. The Splash Kit comes with a hydro cannon that can heal teammates and douse enemies in water. The Jump Kit features an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor to shock and immobilize foes. When combined, these kits can unleash devastating effects, such as electrocuting a soaked enemy.

While Firebreak is playable solo, it's designed for three players to collaborate, especially when missions get hectic. Each mission, or "job," follows a similar structure: enter, complete objectives, and return to the elevator. My first task was to fix three faulty heat fans in the building's furnace while fending off waves of enemies. The next mission, "Paper Chase," involved destroying thousands of sticky notes amidst Hiss attacks. The notes could attach and damage us, making the phrase "death by a thousand paper cuts" quite literal. They could be destroyed by melee attacks or more efficiently with water and electricity, showcasing the game's elemental synergy.

The third mission in Black Rock Quarry required the most teamwork. We had to shoot leeches from the walls to collect radioactive pearls, which needed to be contained and moved along a track. This mission was challenging, requiring communication and frequent showers to rinse off radiation, all while dealing with enemies and instakill astral spikes.

Firebreak's map design is less complex than Control's labyrinthine Oldest House, opting for tighter, more linear spaces. While this makes navigation easier, it sacrifices some of the unpredictable charm of the original. Don't expect wonders like the Ashtray Maze; instead, you'll find more grounded surroundings.

Completing missions unlocks clearance levels, adding new objectives and extending playtime. Maps evolve with additional chambers and more complex foes, including bosses that gate progress. These range from bullet sponges to intriguing beasts like the giant sticky note monster, requiring teamwork and strategy to defeat.

The game's quirky elements, like monsters made from everyday objects, echo Control's weirdness. Randomly spawning corrupted items, such as a rubber duck that redirects enemies or traffic lights that can damage players, add unique challenges. These elements are further explored through unlockable loadouts, including ultimate abilities like the Splash Kit's Teapot and the Jump Kit's garden gnome, which can create chaotic electrical storms.

While Firebreak has strong foundations, readability is a concern. Sometimes, it's unclear where to go on maps, how to avoid friendly fire, or identify bosses amidst the chaos. The developers are aware of these issues and plan to improve readability before the June 17 launch.

Firebreak will launch with five jobs, with two more promised by the end of 2025. These are considered 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 good value for both Control veterans and new fans seeking a fun shooter.

Navigating the always online co-op shooter landscape is challenging, but Firebreak's strong foundation and Remedy's quirky personality suggest it can carve a niche. Much like that dollop of cream found its place in my cocktail, Firebreak has the potential to blend seamlessly into the gaming world. And yes, I still drank it all.