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

When Remedy Entertainment, renowned for their compelling single-player narratives in third-person games, announced they were venturing into multiplayer territory with *Control*, I was among the skeptics. After all, *Control* was crowned IGN’s Game of the Year in 2019, and the idea of branching into a multiplayer format seemed risky. But my doubts were dispelled after witnessing the hands-off demo of *FBC: Firebreak*, a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years after the events of *Control*. This game is a breath of fresh air in a crowded genre, uniquely weird, and refreshingly free of the heavy time commitments that many modern online shooters demand. 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." A sentiment that resonates loudly with players tired of the grind.

*FBC: Firebreak* offers a cooperative FPS experience that you can dive into for a quick 20-minute session or extend to a few hours, thanks to its engaging Perk unlocks and character combinations. Set within the familiar confines of The Oldest House, players take on the role of volunteer first responders—ordinary folks like secretaries and rangers—tasked with tackling supernatural crises. Though the Federal Bureau of Control might not outright label you as expendable, the implication is clear.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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When you launch the game, you select a Job (mission), a Crisis Kit (your loadout), and set the Threat and Clearance Levels, which dictate the difficulty and the number of zones to navigate. These zones are segmented by containment doors, leading you through various stages of the Job. The demo showcased the "Paper Chase" mission, set in an ostensibly mundane office section of the FBC building, where players must combat the spreading Hiss. The catch? You can bolt for the exit at any time, but to secure currencies for gear upgrades, you'll need to escape safely with them, adding an extra layer of strategic depth.

What truly distinguishes *FBC: Firebreak* from its contemporaries is its arsenal. The weaponry is delightfully unconventional with a DIY charm, like the hand-cranked snowball launcher that douses fires and sticky-note monsters, or the zapper that can summon lightning storms when modified correctly. Even more traditional weapons like machine guns and shotguns are indispensable, especially for dealing with the sticky-note monsters after they've been soaked or zapped.

Speaking of sticky-note monsters, the core of the "Paper Chase" Job is to eradicate them before they overrun the building. You'll monitor the remaining notes in the upper left corner, and as the mission progresses, you'll face off against a colossal sticky-note monster reminiscent of Spider-Man 3's Sandman, but made of Post-It notes.

Beyond its quirky weaponry, *FBC: Firebreak* is rich with in-universe gameplay mechanics. From office supply shelves that replenish ammo to makeshift turrets built from boxes, stereo speakers that repel the Hiss, and rinse stations that remove aggressive sticky notes, the game is filled with inventive touches. Unlockable Perks add further variety, such as the chance for missed bullets to return to your clip or the ability to extinguish yourself by jumping. Collecting multiple versions of the same Perk enhances its effect, and with three, you can share the benefit with nearby teammates.

Importantly, *FBC: Firebreak* is flexible enough to be enjoyed solo or in duos, not just as a trio. 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 available on Xbox and PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra, and Premium from day one. While a post-launch content plan is in the works, the only microtransactions will be for paid cosmetics.

Though I haven't had the chance to play *FBC: Firebreak* yet, the demo has certainly piqued my interest. This isn't just another multiplayer shooter; it's a thoughtfully designed game that respects players' time, harking back to an era when gaming was less about constant commitment and more about fun and creativity.