FBC: Firebreak - The Unexpected Control Multiplayer FPS Hit

Control took home IGN’s Game of the Year award in 2019, and I was among the many editors who cast their votes for it. However, when Remedy—a studio renowned for crafting compelling single-player narratives in third-person titles—announced plans for a Control multiplayer spin-off, skepticism naturally bubbled up. That project became FBC: Firebreak, a cooperative first-person shooter set six years after Control’s events. During the hands-off demo I experienced, it didn’t take long for me to realize my doubts were misplaced.

Firebreak stands out in today’s crowded multiplayer landscape with its fresh concept, blending quirky charm with a delightful sense of the unexpected. Unlike many modern shooters, it doesn’t demand a heavy time investment, making it accessible without sacrificing depth. 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 anyone a second job.” Preach it, Mike.

FBC: Firebreak is a three-player cooperative FPS that prioritizes simplicity and fun. Whether you play for 20 minutes or several hours, Perk unlocks and varied character combinations keep things engaging across multiple sessions. In this world, you’re part of a team of volunteers answering emergency calls within The Oldest House. From secretaries to rangers, your characters are ordinary folks thrust into extraordinary situations. While the Federal Bureau of Control may not officially label you expendable, the truth is less glamorous.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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Upon logging in, you select a Job (mission) and a Crisis Kit (loadout), then set the Threat Level (difficulty) and Clearance Level, which determines the number of zones you’ll explore. Zones are divided by containment doors leading to subsequent stages. For instance, the Job I viewed, Paper Chase, takes place in a mundane office area of the FBC building. The Hiss are causing chaos, and it’s your job—alongside two teammates—to stop them.

You can bail anytime you want, but if you aim to collect currencies needed for upgrades and new gear, you must escape safely with those resources. Exploring further increases your chances of acquiring loot but makes survival tougher.

Gear plays a pivotal role in setting FBC: Firebreak apart from other shooters. Many firearms are uniquely creative, often exuding a homemade vibe. Consider the hand-cranked snowball launcher capable of dousing flames—or foes—or the jury-rigged zapper capable of unleashing lightning storms. Even the humble wrench becomes a formidable weapon when paired with a squeaky piggy bank toy, creating a whirlwind of coins. Of course, traditional staples like machineguns and shotguns remain, with the latter excelling post-zap or post-soak. The sticky-note monster looms large as a central antagonist. Your mission involves eliminating countless sticky notes before they overwhelm the brutalist structure. A counter tracks remaining notes in the upper-left corner, surging higher as the mission progresses. Eventually, you face a colossal Post-it creation—a towering amalgamation of adhesive fury. Beyond eccentric weaponry lies a rich tapestry of in-universe mechanics. Refill stations restock your ammo, turrets assemble themselves from kits, speakers ward off enemies, and rinse stations cleanse sticky foes. Unlockable Perks add layers of strategy, such as bullets returning to clips or self-extinguishing jumps. Collecting duplicates strengthens these abilities, while triples allow sharing effects with allies.

You don’t need a full squad to dive in—go solo or duo if preferred. Remedy aims for a lower minimum PC spec, yet high-end users benefit from advanced features like DLSS4, NVIDIA Reflex, and full ray tracing. Compatibility extends to the Steam Deck and launches simultaneously across Xbox, PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra, and Premium. Paid cosmetics exist, but microtransactions remain minimal.

FBC Firebreak
Remedy
TBA 2025

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Admittedly, I haven’t played FBC: Firebreak yet, so caution prevails. Nevertheless, it already passes the visual test. This is no cookie-cutter multiplayer shooter—it’s something genuinely different and exciting. Its bite-sized format, free from lengthy commitments, feels nostalgic and refreshing.