Verdict
FBC: Firebreak should be a slam dunk for Remedy, with a unique elemental combat co-op hook and action that unfolds in the coolest parts of the studio’s connected universe. Sadly, dull, uninspired missions and a failure to capitalize on Remedy’s imagination hold the developer’s first proper multiplayer outing back massively. There could be something special here with future updates, but I’m struggling to see a future for it.
Remedy Entertainment is constantly at the forefront of gaming's potential, with genuine masterpieces like Alan Wake 2, the greatest horror game of the decade, and Max Payne showing off the studio's versatility. So when FBC: Firebreak promises a new challenge for the studio, crafting a multiplayer experience, my interest immediately piqued. Despite using the enigmatic world of the Remedy Connected Universe to frame the game's action, I'm struggling to see the longevity here.
FBC: Firebreak doesn't place you in the shoes of anyone you're familiar with in the RCU: no Alan Wake, no Jesse Faden, no Sheriff Breaker. Instead, Remedy's brand-new FPS game shifts the perspective to volunteers working deep in the darkest depths of the Oldest House, the New York City headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control. Since assuming the mantle of director, Faden's efforts to contain the Hiss, Objects of Power, and other paranormal threats haven't exactly been easy.
To keep things from escalating further, it's up to you and two other players to do the dirty work around the FBC's home. FBC: Firebreak capitalizes on its biggest strength from the outset: its reliance on elemental cooperation. Whether you're relying on water, your friend's electrical skills, or some good old-fashioned mechanical elbow grease, each of these kits can merge fantastically together at the game's best. The problem is that FBC: Firebreak's onboarding is quite subpar, flying through the basics at a pace that gives you whiplash.
Once that's over with, there's not much more guidance about what you're supposed to be doing. While I'm certainly not against using my initiative and jumping into the deep end, the Steam Deck game's uninspired missions don't complement it. There are five mission variations at launch, each of them with numerous difficulty escalations and additional modifiers known as Corruptions. The latter adds an extra layer of caution to proceedings, bringing optional tasks that are worth taking care of; otherwise, you're in for a world of hurt.
This can range from pesky lanterns that absorb all the light sources in the area to traffic lights that make Squid Game look like child's play. However, the main gameplay loop often consists of disposing of sticky notes, shooting down endless piles of goo, repairing electrical systems, or looking after the Oldest House's furnace. Taking notes from Helldivers 2, repair mini-games rely on correct button combinations between the left and right front triggers.
Should you have the right kit to hand, you can quickly circumvent these events. This is where the game's loadout system is of service, as Remedy encourages you to collect several in-game currencies that can unlock weapon upgrades, perks, and cosmetics. FBC: Firebreak's cosmetics are, to put it nicely, not my cup of tea. Regarding lore, it fits the bill. As someone who loves to experiment with varying degrees of customization, I'm hardly rushing to unlock another pair of gloves that look like they're from my local garbage landfill.
Thankfully, FBC: Firebreak isn't after your money with its in-game currencies. Remedy already has an additional battle pass for sale in the store, but there aren't any pay-to-win situations to worry about. Again, like Helldivers 2, you can gradually progress through battle passes by using up a certain amount of currency to advance to new pages. The most desirable items are higher-tier versions of the game's limited arsenal. Even at level two, though, weapons like the revolver deal hefty enough damage to one-shot some enemies and two to four-shot bullet sponges.
Items like the Humidifier bring portable healing to your squad, requiring nothing more than a top-up of water before it covers your mates in H20 goodness. Others, like the amusing teapot, convert the Crank-Operated Fluidic Ejector's output into a flaming sea of burns. The damage is considerable, but it also requires an extra layer of thinking before you use it. Most enemies receive a buff from fire damage, so it's a trade-off in ensuing battles.
It's in these moments where Remedy almost latches onto something great, capitalizing on the thrill that co-op shooters can achieve. And showering with your best buddies to regain health is also a bonding experience you won't find in another shooter right now.
For a studio that's only other foray into shooters is co-developing the single-player segments of the woeful CrossfireX, FBC: Firebreak is an impressive transition for Remedy. There's promise here beyond its usual favor of the third-person perspective, with a mechanically sound experience that makes the most of the Northlight engine's gorgeous environment rendering. There's no denying that FBC: Firebreak is a great-looking game, from its chilling lighting to the exemplary aura that only Remedy can exude.
It also runs fantastically on portable gaming consoles, such as the Asus ROG Ally, with ease, though it has a few minor shader issues and small frame drops when things get hectic. A few tweaks to the game's settings can fix this quickly. And yes, FBC: Firebreak Steam Deck action is verified right from launch. It's the ideal type of game that portable gaming consoles enhance: quickfire bursts of multiplayer fun. None of it seems worth it, though.
In theory, FBC: Firebreak should deliver Remedy's typical off-kilter brand of humor and high-stakes tension. The game never sustains this feeling; it all just feels incredibly mundane, repetitive, and exceptionally dull. Shooting over 30,000 sticky notes is a novelty the first time around, but it's more of a fun sponge by the time my 15th match rolls around. Depending on your chosen difficulty or Corruptions, Remedy throws in some admittedly awesome boss encounters, but these moments are notably fleeting.
Remedy's penchant for awe-inspiring moments is usually S-tier. This is a studio that dominated the social airwaves with a 12-minute rock opera sequence in Alan Wake 2, reinvented the notion of the third-person shooter twice with Max Payne, and pushed its boundaries with the vastly underrated Quantum Break and equally great Control. FBC: Firebreak should be full of set pieces that fully utilize Remedy's creative vessel, pulling from the studio's astounding imagination with ease.
For those of you with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PlayStation Plus subscription, FBC: Firebreak is a risk-free download. At $39.99 / £32.99, it's on the cheaper end too. Remedy is also working on more free content, with two major pieces of DLC set for release later this year.
In reality, FBC: Firebreak is already in desperate need of something fresh at launch. Underneath all the monotonous missions and lifeless cosmetics, there's a potentially excellent shooter with a unique elemental hook, set in one of the coolest locations in recent gaming history. It's far away from making the most of this, though. At this rate, I struggle to see much life in FBC: Firebreak's future, but I'm hoping that the studio can remedy this.
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