FBC: Firebreak - The Year's Weirdest Shooter Unveiled

Hours after my first encounter with *FBC: Firebreak*, I found myself indulging in a creamy delight—a slice of cake so delectable that it had me captivated. But alas, my clumsiness struck again. A dollop of cream tumbled into my blood orange cocktail, dissolving instantly. As I watched the swirls blend, I was suddenly transported back to the eerie corridors of the Federal Bureau of Control, where I wielded white-hot bursts of energy against the glowing red Hiss creatures haunting its halls. Such is the peculiar alchemy of visiting Remedy's creative realm.

Remedy Entertainment, known for its eclectic library of games—from psychological thrillers like *Alan Wake* to gritty noir adventures like *Max Payne*—has never shied away from embracing the absurd. *Firebreak*, their debut venture into first-person shooters and cooperative multiplayer action, is undeniably eccentric. In just two hours of gameplay, I faced off against a murderous garden gnome and battled a towering sticky note monstrosity. If anyone can bring something fresh to the crowded online shooter genre, it's Remedy—and their bold decision to infuse every project with a touch of the bizarre.

FBC: Firebreak - Gameplay Screenshots

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Set six years after the events of *Control*, Remedy’s 2019 hit, *Firebreak* takes place within the same ominous walls of The Oldest House. From the brutalist architecture to the Finnish folk melodies echoing through the bathrooms, the game expertly captures the unsettling familiarity of a familiar yet sinister environment. Here, players act as paranormal exterminators tasked with neutralizing localized outbreaks of the Hiss—an otherworldly threat that infects both animate and inanimate objects. Armed with double-barreled shotguns instead of proton packs, you and up to two teammates become the Bureau's Ghostbusters, encouraged to combine forces rather than fear crossing streams.

Central to the gameplay are the three distinct "kits," essentially Firebreak's take on character classes. The Fix Kit allows players to repair vital machinery, such as healing showers and ammo stations, ensuring your squad stays alive longer. The Splash Kit equips you with a hydro cannon capable of restoring health and dousing enemies in water. Lastly, the Jump Kit provides an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor, which shocks foes and halts their advance. Each kit plays a crucial role in teamwork, and when used together, they create devastating combinations—like electrifying a soaked group of enemies. Solo play is possible, but the game truly shines when three players collaborate.

My initial mission was straightforward: fix three malfunctioning heat fans in the building's furnace while fending off waves of enemies. However, things escalated quickly. In "Paper Chase," we were tasked with clearing thousands of sticky notes scattered across the office floors. While it sounds simple, the mission became chaotic as waves of Hiss poured in, and the notes inflicted damage if they clung to you. Destroying them required either a melee strike or a quick soak-and-spark combo—a testament to Firebreak's clever elemental mechanics. Even solo, there's plenty to do, thanks to solid gunplay and varied objectives.

The third mission, set in The Oldest House’s Black Rock Quarry, demanded the most coordination. Collecting radioactive pearls from squelchy leeches and safely transporting them to deeper areas was no easy feat. We had to constantly rinse off radiation, fend off enemies, and avoid instant-death astral spikes. Despite the chaos, it was undeniably thrilling. The game's tight, linear map design ensures easier navigation compared to Control’s labyrinthine corridors, though some complexity is sacrificed for accessibility.

After completing missions, you earn clearance levels, unlocking additional objectives and extending your playtime. Maps expand on repeat visits, introducing new challenges and tougher adversaries. Boss fights, which block access to certain areas, require both firepower and teamwork. One memorable battle involved a giant sticky note entity slamming us with its massive fists—a mix of puzzle-solving and raw combat that reminded me of the best moments in *Space Marine 2*. These encounters are where Firebreak truly excels.

Remedy’s signature oddities shine through in corrupted items like rubber ducks and traffic lights. While I didn’t encounter all of them during my playthrough, their potential adds a layer of unpredictability. Unlockable tools, such as the Splash Kit’s Teapot or the Jump Kit’s Garden Gnome, bring a touch of zaniness to the battlefield. These abilities often lead to chaotic moments, where swarms of enemies meet their demise in spectacular fashion. However, there are moments when the screen becomes overcrowded, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe or determine your next objective.

Despite these readability concerns, the Firebreak team is aware of the issue and plans to refine the game before its June 17 release. With five core missions at launch and two more planned by the end of 2025, Remedy is positioning Firebreak as more than just a collection of missions—it’s a series of game modes, each offering depth and replayability through evolving objectives and clearance levels. At $39.99, it's a compelling package for both newcomers and Control veterans.

Launching into the crowded online shooter market is risky, but Remedy’s unique blend of quirkiness and tactical gameplay gives *Firebreak* a fighting chance. Much like that rogue dollop of cream in my drink, it stands out in a sea of sameness. And yes, I still drank it all.