FBC: Firebreak will take players back to the Oldest House from Control, but this time, it’s a player v environment co-op first-person shooter from Remedy Entertainment. Famous for single-player hits like Alan Wake and Max Payne, Remedy makes a fresh move with this chaotic team-based game. The latest sequel has some fun moments as well as some creative and interesting ideas but it’s not as good as the two previous offerings. Here’s a closer look at what Firebreak offers gamers.
Cleaning up the oldest house: Setting and Story
Inside the Oldest House of the Federal Bureau of Control, you join a maintenance team dedicated to fixing things and restoring order. There are too many anomalies in the facility, so three-man teams are deployed to familiar maps to reactivate machinery, contain strange things, and survive waves of enemies. It embraces sort of workplace aesthetics, like Powerwash Simulator, but also a lot of swarming NPC behaviour, which you’ll be familiar with from Left 4 Dead. The tone is quirky and the gameplay chaotic. It will be welcoming, especially for someone who is new to the universe. Fans will note the subtlety.
Game Style: Fun with Crazy Tools
Firebreak’s first-person shooter isn’t bad at all. The rotary machine gun, sawn-off shotgun, revolver, and other weapons pack plenty of punch. The three kit specializations include unique equipment that not only define combat but also the goal. To illustrate, one kit includes an electroshock weapon to power devices or stun enemies, another features a wrench for speedy repairs and melee attacks, and a third includes a water cannon to extinguish fires or guarantee stuns on enemies. These tools work together. They encourage players to work together to create an environmental effect. The environmental effect can trigger something like a fire or an electrocution.
The game can be defined as chaos. Friendly fire is enable, and some mini-games like inputting D-pad codes occur. With each kit having one ultimate ability allowing one to deploy a turret or a boom box that distracts attackers. Nevertheless, ultimate abilities are tied to later progression tiers, which can feel constrictive.
Different levels have different objectives and they can end with some crazy bosses or something. The challenge increases and ‘corrupted items’ like a stapler possessed by an evil entity add modifiers in the game. These modifiers can be shielded enemies or different gravitation setups. These creative twists help keep the game fresh but it can get stale doing the same things over again, such as breaking stuff in the environment.
Strengths: Creativity and Co-op Charm
Firebreak shines in short bursts, especially with friends. The craziness of the game causes funny situations, with teammates accidentally catching each other on fire, or getting into the workplace shower to heal. The game’s settings tap into the peculiar vibe of Control, with visual effects and anomalies giving it its odd charm. I like the fact that Remedy has decided to leave heavy live-service stuff out of the game. As a result, we have an uncomplicated and simulation game with no obvious monetization attempts.
Because there aren’t any in-game voice/text chat enabled, playing with randoms can be pretty inconsistent. But with known teammates? So fun! It takes time to unlock most of the better countermeasure content, but there are enjoyable perks and weapon upgrades as you progress in the game. For those who have Xbox Game Pass or PS+ subscriptions, you can easily recommend Firebreak for casual co-op fun.
Weaknesses: Simplicity and Repetition
Despite its strengths, Firebreak struggles with simplicity. After a few hours of gameplay, the objectives and enemy types become quite repetitive. This is compounded by the grinding required to unlock better perks or ultimates, which is quite momentum sapping. Absence of tutorialization is a bi-product: discovering the mechanics is rewarding but it can be frustrating when systems are not clear. We also experience technical issues where errors hinder matchmaking or objects do not respond.
At a $40 launch price on Steam, the game seems a bit overpriced for its scope. While it’s not a Destiny competitor, there’s not enough content for anyone looking for something deep to play for an extended time. Playing alone is very dull because the game relies heavily on co-op chaos.
Technical Performance
Firebreak on PC works fine with minimal freezes and hiccups overall. The matchmaking fails sometimes and also some ojects did not register any clicks in one session. However, friend matches were stable. Remedy is known for excellent atmospheric looks and the ultrawide gameplay is leagues better than the centre-screen 16:9 aspect ratio.
Firebreak is a bold venture for Remedy. It takes the weird world of Control and adds co-op chaos. It may be no masterpiece, but its better than some of the user feedback might suggest. You shouldn’t spend too long on the game at once, but it’s also a blast with friends and presents a gun-kicking adventure, creative combos, and no live-service bloat. Still, same objectives and lack of depth has the potential to make it fleeting. If you’re a fan of Control or enjoy playing co-op with a subscription, try it out. Remedy’s foundation is good – future updates could enhance this quirky shooter.