FBC: Firebreak is a game from Remedy Entertainment, the folks behind Alan Wake 2 and Control. It takes place in the same universe as aforementioned games. Unlike the developer’s previous game, this one is a multiplayer game. It takes place in the Old House location from Control. This is something completely different for the developer because they usually make single-player games.
It is interesting to see their take on a multiplayer game, as it is their first attempt at one. To be honest, I was skeptical coming to the game, and my expectations were not that high. It is a good game for the most part. It is a PVE FPS game. The first game that comes to mind when I played it was Left 4 Dead for obvious reasons, though there is also the vibe of Helldivers 2.
There are some bold ideas discussed here, and it seems like the game falls short on some of the fronts. It is a game on a small scale compared to other live service games. It is not even trying to be the next big thing like Call of Duty and Fortnite, which works for the game for the most part. At times, it can even seem too basic. All this makes you wonder, is FBC: Firebreak worth it? Let’s find out.
The Background
The story FBC: Firebreak starts six years after the events of the Control game. You are part of the Federal Bureau of Control. It takes place in the Oldest House, with you acting as part of the maintenance and cleanup crew for the organization. The place is in chaos, and it is up to you to navigate through the maps.
You have to use all the tools at your disposal to get out of the mess, turn back the power, fix broken stuff to make them work, take care of anomalies, and survive. It is a co-op game, so of course, you have to do all of it while playing with two other players.
Combat
The first-person shooter is not bad, even though it is the developer’s first attempt at making an FPS. The control and feedback of the weapon are good. There are different kinds of weapons at your disposal. There are revolvers, rotary machine guns, shotguns, submachine guns, and others.
Players get to choose one of the three kits, which act as specializations. It will have an impact on how you fix things and how you play. There are different specializations, such as Fixer, which gives you a big wrench that can fix stuff faster, and there is one with an electric gun that can power up things faster. Then there is one with a water cannon that is quite different; it can put out flames, douse areas, and enemies so that the teammate with the shock gun can stun them.
All the kits have their own way of fending off enemies and have their own role in teamwork. It is fun when you try to experiment with different aspects of the game. Trying out different things to trigger fire, electrocution, or using tools is fun in FBC: Firebreak.
The Chaos
FBC: Firebreak is a game sprinkled with confusion and chaos. Friendly fire is on, so you can accidentally set your teammates on fire or electrocute them, which makes the situation even more chaotic. There are mini-games that remind me of the codes from Helldivers 2. I mean, the friendly fire is on, so there is that similarity. All of it comes together to make things more frantic and kind of goofy. You are an expendable guy, and the game just goes with that narrative.
Each character has its own unique tools and ultimate attacks. One class has the option to drop a boombox to attract enemies, another drops a turret, and the third one can plant a device that will douse enemies near it with water. There are only a few levels, but these levels are completely different than each other. The objectives and the problems you face in these maps are quite varied.
Progression
FBC: Firebreak boasts a Left 4 Dead kind of progression, which isn’t unexpected at all. When you complete a level, you get to the next tier of that level. Upon replaying the level, you unlock the next tier, and you repeat it once more to reach the final tier, the third tier. The final tier is more chaotic, with different objectives, or it can be a boss battle. This leads to repetition, but it is to be expected, and it’s not overwhelming here.
Things get shaken up with an increase in difficulty with each tier, as well as the addition of corrupted items. Corrupted items can have an impact on the levels. A corrupted item is something in the environment hovering in the air, and these objects introduce new modifiers. Enemies might get an overshield until you destroy the corrupted item, or time might work differently for enemies, or gravity will be shaken up. It is creative stuff that works well while figuring it out with your teammates.
There are not many tutorials, so the game will just throw you and let you figure stuff out on your own. There are a lot of things to figure out. Learning the ropes of some things is good, but for some, it can feel mind-boggling. A little more explanation would have been nice. The vibe, visual effects, and the way some of the enemies look result in a strange creativity.
The Burnout Is Real
There is progression in FBC: Firebreak as you unlock more weapons, abilities, and get different perks. However, it takes time to unlock that stuff. Tiers do make things better, but even unlocking them takes time. Grind is part of most multilayer games, and it’s good to have it. The problem with FBC: Firebreak is that there is not enough content to incentivize the grind. There are a few levels and scenarios that can quickly lead to repetition.
The first few hours are fun, but as you progress, you get to see more of what the game has to offer, and it starts to become stale. By the time you unlock the better stuff and get to the fun part, you have already seen everything that the game has to offer. There is not enough content that can motivate you to grind, which is an important part of any live service game.
Getting better perks, grenades, and weapons can make a difference. All of these upgrades have their use and help you quickly take down the enemies. Even with the upgrades, the core gameplay remains the same, and you have already burned through it, making it more of a chore.
Same Stuff More Unlocks
One of the major complaints I have regarding FBC: Firebreak is that the ultimate attack is locked behind the third tier, so you can’t use it until you reach the third tier. By the time you unlock that attack, you might have seen all that it has to offer.
Even though it is a game that is supposed to be played over and over, it didn’t seem to hook me, and I have played a lot of looter shooters. Objectives are not a bad idea in terms of concept, but the fun attached to them can be varied, which will have an impact on replayability.
A Control Best Played With Friends
FBC: Firebreak is a game meant to be played with friends because it didn’t land for me while playing with random people. Communication is the key, which is true for any multiplayer game, but since there is friendly fire, it is especially true here. To make the matter worse, there is no voice chat or text chat support. So, you have to rely on an external service for voice chat, like Discord, Steam, PlayStation Party chat, and stuff like that.
Playing it solo is not fun, and the game is enjoyed best when played with friends, as I mentioned earlier. There is chaos in the game, which can lead to some chaotic moments. You can only heal by going to the shower location, which is funny in itself.
The world of Control is back with this one, but it keeps the lore on the side, making it accessible to new players. The environment that the game presents is quite good, but lacks that touch, maybe because it’s trying to play it safe.
Verdict (Is FBC: Firebreak Worth It?)
Remedy has some hardcore fans, and they will figure out stuff that I have never even thought of. However, there will still be those who jump in with no idea what Control is about. The game is being launched with a price tag set at $40, which isn’t bad. Even with all the laments I have regarding the game, I still enjoyed playing it. It has some good points, but it is the type of game that works well as a short-term experience, at least at launch.
It is the type of game that can be played with friends for a fun PVE experience. FBC: Firebreak is available on PS Plus Extra/Premium and Game Pass. You can try it out and see if it’s to your liking, but in the game’s current state, the issues regarding the game stand true.
In the initial hours before the Burnout phase, there is fun to be had, and I experienced it firsthand. It was fun figuring out the ins and outs of the game. It is commendable that the developers made a simple multiplayer game without including overwhelming microtransactions. It is a good one that is enjoyed best when played in short sessions.
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