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

Control was crowned IGN's Game of the Year in 2019, a title I proudly contributed to as an editor. However, when Remedy, a studio renowned for its compelling single-player narratives in third-person games, announced a multiplayer venture for Control, I admit I was initially skeptical. That project, known as FBC: Firebreak, is a three-player PvE first-person multiplayer shooter set six years after the events of Control. After seeing a hands-off demo, my doubts quickly evaporated. Firebreak brings refreshing originality to a crowded genre, standing out with its delightfully bizarre elements amid a sea of generic military and sci-fi online shooters. Perhaps its most appealing feature is its lack of demand for the massive time commitments often expected by its contemporaries. 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 worth repeating for those in the back.

FBC: Firebreak is a three-player cooperative FPS that promises a no-nonsense experience. Whether you play for 20 minutes or a few hours, the game keeps things fresh with Perk unlocks and new character combinations for repeat runs. But what exactly are you doing back in The Oldest House, armed with an array of bizarre weaponry? You're stepping into the shoes of volunteer first responders when chaos erupts. Your characters are everyday workers—secretaries, rangers, and others—who answer the call to service. The Federal Bureau of Control might not call you expendable, but let's be honest, you are.

FBC: Firebreak - March 2025 Screenshots

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When you log in to play, you select a Job (mission) and a Crisis Kit (your loadout), set the Threat Level (difficulty), and choose your Clearance Level, which dictates how many zones you'll navigate in a run. These zones are separated by containment doors, leading you to the next stage of the Job. The mission I witnessed, called Paper Chase, unfolds in a seemingly mundane office section of the FBC building. The Hiss are spreading, and it's up to you and your two teammates to push them back.

You can escape as soon as possible, but to acquire currencies for upgrading and purchasing new gear, you must safely exit with them. The longer you explore for currency, the more challenging it becomes to return to HQ unscathed.

FBC: Firebreak distinguishes itself from other multiplayer shooters with its unique arsenal. Many of the guns have a charmingly unusual, homebrew feel, like the hand-cranked snowball launcher that can extinguish fires (or your fiery friends) and douse the sticky-note monster (more on that later). There's also a cobbled-together zapper that, with the right nozzle, can unleash lightning storms on a room full of enemies. And don't forget the large wrench, which, when fitted with a squeaky piggy bank toy, sends a swirl of coins flying at your opponents. Of course, traditional weapons like machine guns and shotguns are also available, the latter being essential for dealing with the sticky-note monsters after they've been soaked or zapped.

The mission's primary objective is to eliminate all the sticky notes before they overrun the brutalist building. Keep an eye on the number of sticky notes left to destroy, displayed in the upper left corner. As the mission progresses, this number can increase dramatically, culminating in a showdown with a gigantic sticky-note monster reminiscent of Spider-Man 3's Sandman, but made of Post-It notes.

Beyond the quirky weapons, FBC: Firebreak offers engaging in-universe gameplay mechanics. For instance, an office supply shelf refills your ammo, a makeshift turret can be assembled from a box, a stereo speaker keeps the Hiss at bay, and a rinse station removes aggressive sticky notes from your face. Unlockable Perks add further variety and excitement to the gameplay. Examples include a Perk where missed bullets have a chance to return to your clip, and another that lets you extinguish yourself by jumping up and down. Collecting two of the same Perk enhances its effect, while three allows you to share it with nearby teammates.

You don't need three players to enjoy FBC: Firebreak; solo and duo play are also supported. Remedy aims for a lower minimum PC spec than usual, but the game will also support advanced features like DLSS4 with multi-frame generation, nVidia Reflex, and full ray-tracing. It will be Steam Deck verified and launch on Xbox and PC Game Pass, as well as PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium on day one. While Remedy has a post-launch content plan in the works, details are yet to be revealed. The game will feature paid cosmetics, but these will be the extent of the microtransactions.

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While I haven't yet played FBC: Firebreak, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. This is far from a typical multiplayer shooter, and in the best possible way. Its design as a quick, engaging online game that doesn't demand a significant ongoing time commitment harks back to a time when such games were the norm.