FBC: Firebreak Game Preview – An In-Depth Look at Remedy’s First Multiplayer Experience

Exploring FBC: Firebreak – Remedy’s Innovative Multiplayer Shooter

As a long-time admirer of Remedy’s unique game design, I was eager to dive into their latest project set within the enigmatic Oldest House from the game Control. This new endeavor represents a significant shift for the studio, introducing a cooperative multiplayer first-person shooter concept that deviates from their typical offerings. While it faces stiff competition in the genre, Remedy’s well-known creative flair could offer a fresh take that entices players. Yet, the true measure of its sustained appeal will only be determined post-release.

The First Look – Engaging Missions in FBC: Firebreak

During a recent preview session, we explored three out of the five mission types, referred to as ‘Jobs’, that players can experience upon the game’s launch next month. Each Job displayed a distinct theme and gameplay mechanics, ensuring players remain engaged through varied challenges.

In our first mission, called Hot Fix, we embarked on an urgent mission to repair the malfunctioning Furnace located in the Maintenance Sector of the Oldest House. This critical facility was unleashing paranatural heat into the area, and it was our task to restore order by fixing heat transfer fans and supplying the Furnace with Black Rock powder to stabilize the situation.

In essence, players become fireworkers, undertaking significant repair work throughout their adventures. Those equipped with the right tools can expedite repairs, while others may need to engage in Quick Time Events (QTEs) to successfully complete tasks, enhancing the urgency of the mission.

However, completing repairs means confronting the game’s familiar adversary, the Hiss. An additional challenge became apparent as we faced a ‘dangerous Hiss’ boss, enhancing the thrill of combat experiences reminiscent of other cooperative shooters while still showcasing the distinct sinister charm of Hiss creatures from previous titles.

Innovative and Quirky Themes in the Second Job

The second Job we tackled offered an even stranger theme, showcasing Remedy’s creative storytelling. We learned about a bizarre phenomenon dubbed the ‘sticky note population, ’ which had grown uncontrollably, victimizing Bureau members and transforming them into chaotic ‘shufflers’ overwhelmed by sticky notes. As we navigated the mission, we were tasked with eliminating sticky notes while fending off persistent Hiss attacks, culminating in a face-off against a boss known as ‘Sticky Ricky.’ Notably, the sticky notes often obscured our view, increasing the difficulty of aiming and enhancing the immersive chaos.

Searching for Pearls in the Final Job

The third and final Job we played was titled Ground Control. This mission revolved around combatting a swarm of Astral Leeches that had irradiated the Quarry—a location familiar to fans of Control. Operators needed to eliminate these leeches to unveil radioactive pearls, subsequently transporting them to a launch site. This assignment emphasized teamwork, as players had to manage the radioactive materials while battling Hiss hordes and pushing a containment shuttle, reflecting challenges reminiscent of other cooperative experiences, such as Overwatch’s Payload mode.

One unique feature of FBC: Firebreak is the player’s ability to dictate their session length based on preferred difficulty settings and Clearance Levels. Higher Clearance Levels introduce tougher challenges, which we found considerably demanding even with the Game Director joining our squad.

Customization and Character Progression

Before each match, players select a Crisis Kit—essentially their class. While melee combat felt somewhat lackluster, gunplay remained solid and enjoyable, showcasing the potential for diverse team strategies through well-designed Kits. Each Crisis Kit can be upgraded to accommodate up to nine Perks, with the option for players to install them in various combinations, promoting endless experimentation and build diversity.

Weak and strong perks take up different slot amounts, allowing players to customize their kits for optimal gameplay. Once a perk is fully upgraded, it can be equipped at lower levels, offering flexible strategic options during gameplay. Additionally, players can switch Kits upon respawning, leveraging their set amount of ‘Volunteers’ or respawn tickets to stay active in the game.

Graphical Performance and Final Thoughts

In terms of performance, the game is not without its imperfections, as my high-end equipment (9800X3D, RTX 5090) encountered some stuttering. However, visual quality powered by the Northlight engine was impressive, with the game planning to incorporate path tracing in the final version, similar to what we saw in Alan Wake 2.

Overall, my preview experience suggests that FBC: Firebreak has tremendous potential to capture the hearts of co-op shooter enthusiasts. While it may not redefine the genre, its unique elements and familiar comforts could create an engaging experience. Ultimately, the game’s success will hinge on how adeptly Remedy responses to community feedback, making the upcoming tech test crucial ahead of the June 17 launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X.

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