Remedy Entertainment

It has been approximately four weeks since we launched FBC: Firebreak. During that time, we have released four patches that improve the game and partly address your feedback. Now that the game is live, our community plays a big part in shaping the future of the experience. This is just the start.

The updating cadence as well as our communications will slow down as we put more of our development focus on the first Major Update arriving in late September.

So, before we go into more radio silence, let's talk a bit about what we are working on!

While we want to provide you with detailed information on what's coming, the nature of game development is that things change frequently. Some features will make it, some won't, some will arrive later than planned, and some earlier! Giving away too much, too early when features aren’t entirely locked down can also get us into trouble. However, we want to remain transparent and keep you informed about what’s going to come. Even if it might change.

The weeks since launch have given us a huge amount of feedback, from you, the community, as well as reviews, and the data we are looking at. Based on our previous development plans and taking all the feedback on board, we are excited about what our first Major Update, targeted for a late September release, will bring to FBC: Firebreak. Ultimately, we need to get you excited about what is coming.

The following isn’t everything that we are working on for the September Major Update, nor what comes after that, but these topics represent our focus for the upcoming months of development.

Understanding the game

We’ve seen many players come into the game and leave within the first hour. And that’s because our first hour can be frustrating; you feel ineffective and confused as to what to do. This needs to be improved.

For many of you already playing FBC: Firebreak, us focusing on the opening experience may seem less exciting, but to keep the game healthy (and your matchmaking fast), we need to bring in more people with a better first-time experience than before. Here are a few things we’re doing to improve onboarding:

Part of onboarding is understanding the world and your place in it. We have Control players hungry to see more of the Oldest House, but also people who’ve never played Control trying to comprehend its strange universe for the first time. No matter what you’ve played before, everyone playing should know where they are, who they are, and what they are trying to achieve as members of Firebreak. We’ve already started some of this narrative onboarding by placing an introductory video into the game and will continue down that path in the fall.

Once you understand the world, we need to do a better job teaching you its core mechanics and features while leaving plenty to discover for yourself. We think that playing is the best way to learn and so we are building a playable tutorial level.

In addition to our playable tutorial, we want to improve the “pop up” tips you receive while playing by offering important information at relevant times.

Gunplay

We have, from the outset, wanted to get a good balance between pure, good old-fashioned first-person shooter gunplay and using each Crisis Kit’s tools and the environment (water sprinklers and fire, for example) as viable alternatives in dealing with the crisis in each Job.

Our current upgrades can make guns feel weak early on, and only generically better later on. We still want you to feel more powerful over time but, to fix things, we want to change our focus to giving you control over how that happens.

We don’t plan to become a game with 100 guns because we don’t believe that’s the right focus for our experience. That said, it’s important for us to deliver on meaningful variety, so we are adding three new heavy guns to round out your arsenal.

As we bring in these new guns, we also plan to drop all “generic” upgrades from equipment (guns and tools) and start players with a playable and powerful version of everything a Firebreak needs from the beginning.

To replace the generic upgrades we’re removing, we are developing a Mod system that lets you tweak how you want your guns to work and the ways in which they become more powerful over time. We’ll have more to share about this before September.

New Ways to Play

We are making big changes to the way you access Jobs and to the content of Jobs themselves, giving you more ways to play and a more surprising and exciting way of getting there.

Letting you choose how and how long you want to play remains an important priority for us, but we want the game to show you the fun rather than ask you to hunt for it. Firebreak was formed to manage an ongoing crisis, after all, and as a first responder, you should be reacting to dynamic, unpredictable dangers, not being asked to create danger for yourself.

To accomplish this, we are replacing Clearance and Corruption Levels with pre-made, exciting (you’ll have to take our word for that for now) variations of Job experiences that can still be short or long or filled with Corrupted Items, but also a whole lot more. We are weeding out our least fun experiences, focusing on our best experiences, and adding brand new modes with plans for adding even more in the future. As part of this change, we’re also reevaluating our matchmaking flow, making it clearer and segmenting player pools more effectively, to ensure more and better matches.

We're calling this feature the “Crisis Board.” This is not just repackaging our current Jobs but fundamentally changing how you experience FBC: Firebreak content and setting the game up for even more ways to play in the future.

More Things to Do

When we think about content variety, we aren’t just looking at how much is there, but also what it’s like to replay what is there. When it comes to objectives, always knowing what to expect is counter to the fantasy of being a crisis responder. So, while we still want you to know what type of experience you’re stepping into, we want to mix up what specific things you need to do there to proceed through zones (especially zones 1 and 2), making runs a lot more dynamic and surprising.

We’re looking at other randomizations beyond objectives as well, including placement of key items, like showers, ammo stations, suspension lines, and more.

Finally, we know you want more Jobs because you want more to play and that’s the only type of content we have shown you. But as we move forward from here, we’re seeing a lot more possibilities for what to do with levels and, therefore, are thinking up a lot of ways to both expand how much we have and how you play it. We expect to learn a lot more about what you want and don’t want after you see what we can do.

Having said that…

New Job

This first Major Update will bring a brand-new Job into Firebreak, requiring you to identify and eliminate and hopefully not eat strains of mold using something we internally call “the sushi train” ... but more about that later. For now, just know that we’re bringing in a new handcrafted level, three Zones, a new status effect, two more enemies to deal with, and all the rest you’ve come to expect from a new Job.

What’s Next

As we hope has become clear, we are pushing a lot of improvements and changes into the game for our first Major Update. Some of these ideas were improvements that we weren’t able to add before launch, but all were decided on and developed based on what we heard from you (listening to feedback) and seen from you (looking at data).

We are extremely excited about these changes and about delivering even more than we’d originally been planning, but changes now also mean changes later. We need to see what’s working for you and to hear from you again before we can be certain that we’re prioritizing the right things. So, while we are still planning on the next Major Update in the winter, and the next one after that, the specific focuses and features are a lot more nebulous. There are a variety of topics that we are discussing and researching, but for now, we are heads down working on the first Major Update.

Thank you for your feedback and patience!

The FBC: Firebreak team

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/47243934

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/20684691

Game Information

Game Title: FBC: Firebreak

Platforms:

• PC (Jun 17, 2025)
• PlayStation 5 (Jun 17, 2025)
• Xbox Series X/S (Jun 17, 2025)

Developer: Remedy Entertainment

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 65 average - 30% recommended - 45 reviews

Critic Reviews

AltChar - Semir Omerovic - 80 / 100

FBC: Firebreak isn’t a revolutionary co-op shooter, but it is a very solid and surprisingly confident first attempt by Remedy to step into a new space. It borrows familiar mechanics and wraps them in the kind of surreal, stylish atmosphere that fans of Control will eat up. The shooting is solid, the content is respectable, and the tension ramps up nicely when things go sideways.

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But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford - 5.5 / 10

FBC Firebreak delivers an experience that is, at best, competent and, at worst, tedious. Given the glut of options in the multiplayer FPS market and the $40 price tag this game carries, it is hard to suggest it to anyone.

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CGMagazine - Jordan Biordi - 8 / 10

FBC: Firebreak takes the strangeness of the Control universe and applies it to a genuinely fun and challenging co-op shooter.

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Checkpoint Gaming - Austin Gallagher - 6 / 10

Despite being competent on many levels, FBC: Firebreak is an exceedingly familiar cooperative experience you have likely played before. Remedy's signature flair for visual design and return to a familiar and beloved video game locale might be enough for absolute die-hard fans, but it is tough to see who the target audience for this entry into the RCU was envisioned for. While not a total misfire, FBC: Firebreak feels destined to be a footnote from the world of Alan Wake.

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Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 7.5 / 10

FBC: Firebreak offers a technically polished experience but lacks the narrative depth that distinguishes Remedy Studio. The game captures the weirdness of Remedy's world with the studio's signature graphics and style, but its shallow story, repetitive structure, and slow progression make it difficult to return to the game as often as those games are known for.

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DualShockers - Usama Mehmood - 7 / 10

Although most of its rewarding features add variability to custom loadouts, there's not much else here that, unfortunately, makes it worth spending an effort on. I'd much rather see a sizable number of differences in the job variety, missions, and power fantasy elements that actually heighten the sense of being an FBC operative who's exterminating the evil corruption of the Hiss.

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Eurogamer - Christian Donlan - 3 / 5

A bold approach to the concept of work marks this game out as a singular enterprise.

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Final Weapon - Saras Rajpal - 2.5 / 5

FBC: Firebreak is a game that lacks a cohesive identity. While the gameplay formula is solid, the repetitive missions, objectives, and grinding for new unlocks are more monotonous than fun. Additionally, the lack of a proper narrative compared to other games from Remedy Entertainment makes it a hard game to justify purchasing whether you're a fan of its previous titles or simply a fan of the multiplayer co-op genre.

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GAMES.CH - Joel Kogler - German - 65%

In its current state, "FBC: Firebreak" is only recommended as part of Game Pass or PlayStation Plus - and even then, we doubt that the majority of players will be entertained for more than two hours.

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Game8 - Aaron Bacabac - 66 / 100

FBC: Firebreak is a solid idea held back by a premium price and early-access-level polish. At $40 (more on PlayStation), it feels more like a mid-roadmap build than a finished 1.0 release. The core gameplay, story, and production are strong, but missing QoL features, sparse content, and optimization issues drag it down. Remedy may patch things up in time, but right now, Firebreak just isn’t worth the ask.

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GameGrin - Jacob Sanderson - 9 / 10

An incredibly fun and engaging Horde Shooter, it isn't perfect, but it's an absolute blast to play!

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GameMAG - Russian - 4 / 10

It's not entirely clear what Remedy Entertainment was hoping for when they decided to take on a project that literally contradicts their formula of story adventures. FBC: Firebreak simply has nothing to praise.

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GameSpot - Mark Delaney - 8 / 10

Remedy's co-op FPS is a fun Control spin-off when everything goes right, though such circumstances can prove elusive early on.

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Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - 4 / 5

FBC: Firebreak proudly stands among the better co-op shooters out there—with slick visuals, wild weapon choices, and deep sandbox action, it hits hard despite some weak AI and a modest amount of launch content.

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GamesRadar+ - Abbie Stone - 2 / 5

Being forced to stand stock still and stare at that horrible traffic light longing it to turn green is wonderfully tense.

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Gaming Instincts - Leonid Melikhov - 6 / 10

If you suffer from insomnia and your over-the-counter meds no longer do the trick, then sure, feel free to drop $39.99 on FBC Firebreak. Because this game will drain your energy and put you to sleep faster than any pill ever could

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GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 7 / 10

As Remedy's first co-op shooter, FBC: Firebreak is a successful experiment, and while it doesn't quite match up to the best in the genre, the Oldest House is still a good stage for some creepy, frenetic action.

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Gfinity - Feliciano Mondigo III - 7 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is Remedy’s quirky dive into co-op extraction shooters, blending the surreal world of Control with chaotic missions best enjoyed with friends. While it lacks polish, online features, and content at launch, it’s an ambitious but currently incomplete experience that can only be better with a full squad.

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Hinsusta - Pascal Kaap - German - 8 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is a successful co-op PvE shooter with fresh ideas, charming chaos and an audiovisual style that clearly stands out from the genre standards. The title really comes into its own when played as a team. Whether during hectic repairs under enemy pressure, tactically coordinated boss battles or curious shower moments.

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Hobby Consolas - David Rodriguez - Spanish - 74 / 100

FBC Firebreak is a multiplayer game with good ideas and a great setting that brings back the Control universe. Despite some inaccuracies and the possibility of more content, what it offers brings a touch of freshness to the co-op genre with friends. It's not crazy, but it's not your typical first-person shooter either, thankfully.

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INVEN - Seungjin Kang - Korean - 6 / 10

The mysterious worldbuilding of Control and Remedy’s signature presentation still shine through. However, repetitive mission structures, sluggish progression, and a steep early-game barrier make this surreal stage feel less captivating. While the fresh gimmicks and cooperative elements offer clear appeal, the game needs both stronger early engagement and more lasting motivation to truly stand out.

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KonsoliFIN - Risto Karinkanta - Finnish - 3 / 5

The unique co-op approach captures the edgy feel of Control, but still offers only a sloppy experience.

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PC Gamer - Rick Lane - 60 / 100

FBC: Firebreak's madcap mission conceits are delightfully silly, but balancing issues and limited replay value hinder the fun.

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PSX Brasil - The Treeble - Portuguese - 70 / 100

FBC: Firebreak takes players back to the universe of Control, but without many of the traits which made that game so special. The mechanics from this cooperative first-person shooter are functional, but the lack of variety in gameplay coupled with a slow progression system undermine the game, making it a very repetitive experience.

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Pizza Fria - Higor Phelipe Neto Nicoli - Portuguese - 7.6 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is a good option for players looking for a cooperative experience where strategy comes first.

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Push Square - Aaron Bayne - 6 / 10

FBC: Firebreak stings a little, because it has so much of what we're looking for in a co-op shooter. It's got the killer world and aesthetic, it's got quirky powers and role based kits, it's got tight first-person gameplay, and doesn't require you to grind things out for dozens of hours. However, despite all of that, Firebreak's just fine, and ironically lacks the fire that we expect from Remedy's output. It's a fun, casual time, but you'll play it, you'll finish it, and before long you'll forget about it and wish you had been playing Control 2 instead.

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Rectify Gaming - Henry - 6.5 / 10

Remedy’s trademark creativity flickers in the margins of FBC: Firebreak but never truly takes center stage. The game’s content is thin, its narrative underdeveloped, and its gameplay loop too derivative to stand out in a crowded genre of cooperative shooters. That being said, there are flashes of fun, but the team needs to put in a lot more work if they want Firebreak to leave a lasting impression down the road.

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SECTOR.sk - Oto Schultz - Slovak - 9 / 10

FBC has deemed you worthy of cleaning the Oldest House and as a good corporate employee, you will obey. Go solo or take up to two of your friends, put on the Crisis Kit, choose the desired job site and get to the cleaning, Firebreaker! And most important of all, never forget to take a quick shower with your fellow cleaners, as the everpresent paranatural and Hiss lurk all aroound you.

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Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 7 / 10

Being set in the world of control and as a handyman is enough to sell it on its own, although some polish and content is needed.

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Screen Rant - Ben Brosofsky - 4 / 10

An unusually weak venture for Remedy

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Shacknews - Donovan Erskine - 8 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is an impressive multiplayer take on the Control universe. Each Job is cleverly designed to make the most of the game’s various playstyles, while also enjoying a steep amount of replayability thanks to Job customization. It’s a multiplayer game that can give you chill, casual vibes and intense, challenging gameplay; it’s all about what you want to get out of it.

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Slant Magazine - Aaron Riccio - 2 / 5

The more Hiss there are on screen at one time, the less terrifying they feel, and the game becomes generic, less of a cooperative shooter and more like one of those idle mobile games where you just stand your ground, hope your equipment is upgraded enough, and fire into a horde of charging monsters.

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Spaziogames - Francesco Corica - Italian - Unscored

Obviously I can't give definitive judgments yet and I hope with all my heart that I'm wrong, because there are interesting bases that deserve to be explored in depth with the right times. And, perhaps, also with the inevitable updates of the case, if the game is given time to grow adequately.

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SteamDeckHQ - Noah Kupetsky - 3.5 / 5

FBC: Firebreak has a lot of great elements to it, but not enough content to keep it going. The core gunplay is great, and I had a blast playing the wacky 5 jobs with friends in the gorgeous environments of the federal agency, but the lack of random variables in the jobs and linear progression system made it hard to stay interested. Still, I have hope that with future updates, this is going to be a great co-op shooter to enjoy.

It's also amazing how well it looks and runs on the Steam Deck, and I think that's saying a lot. It deserves praise for its optimization, and I can happily say its one that shouldn't be any problem playing on the go.

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Stevivor - Steve Wright - 8 / 10

FBC Firebreak is a chaotic, engaging romp that gleefully retains Remedy’s quirkiness throughout.

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TechRaptor - Luis Joshua Gutierrez - 4.5 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is an apparent attempt by the studio to try something new, and misses the mark. In a world where games like Left 4 Dead exist, it's hard to justify a reason to play this game. The gameplay loop is less than ideal, and the same can be said about the gunplay, which is a core feature. Many major story beats can easily be missed, and it's a shame.

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The Games Machine - Daniele Dolce - Italian - 6 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative spin-off that seems intriguing on paper but unfortunately lacks substantial content. With only five missions-rather simplistic ones at that-unremarkable classes, a limited variety of enemies, and uninspired weapons, the investment of time and money may not be justified. On top of that, the artificially slow progression system is reminiscent of the worst live-service practices. It might have some appeal if played with a close-knit group of friends, but engagement risks being short-lived.

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The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is an excellent online co-op experience made by the creative minds behind Control. It is an approachable game with no FOMO systems that also includes a highly engaging gameplay loop with unique objectives and mechanics.

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The Outerhaven Productions - Jordan Andow - 4 / 5

FBC: Firebreak is a fun fast-paced three player co-op shooter which offers a new perspective on the world of Remedy Entertainment's Control thus separating itself from the competition. Progression could be streamlined but the core gameplay experience combined with the difficulty and clearance systems make this game an easy recommendation.

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Try Hard Guides - Erik Hodges - 6 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is bursting with personality and fascinating concepts, but collapses under the weight of underwhelming gunplay and shallow progression. Though the game’s setting shines through and the later stages of the game are full of incredible concepts, until major gameplay improvements are made, the game feels more like a concept pitch than a polished product.

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Uagna - Lorenzo Bologna - Italian - 7.8 / 10

FBC: Firebreak is an experiment that we feel compelled to promote. Remedy has decided to go against the grain by offering a cooperative title for three players at a time when the market is saturated with productions of this kind, which tend to hide more pitfalls than opportunities. Nevertheless, thanks to its immediate and entertaining gameplay, Sam Lake's team's new effort is convincing, even if a little more content to diversify it would not have gone amiss. As is always the case with games of this genre, only time (and post-launch support) will determine the true success of the venture.

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Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 75%

Remember the mess Federal Bureau of Control director Jesse Faden made in Control? I'll wager you didn't consider for a single moment who mi...

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XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 6.5 / 10

Control was a 9, and Alan Wake 2 was a 10 for me. I love Remedy’s games, normally, FBC Firebreak seems to have lost their usual magic in a search for a wider audience.  I get it, but I do not like it, and I think it hurts the title in the long run.

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Want to earn exclusive FBC: Firebreak cosmetics while supporting your favorite streamers? You can do so through the FBC: Firebreak launch Twitch Drops campaign! From June 17th, 2025 at 3AM PDT/11AM BST to July 8th, 2025 at 3AM PDT/11AM BST, watch a total of 3 hours of FBC: Firebreak on Twitch to earn the Overseer Armor Set (Threshold Revision), giving you a stylish new look to take out on the field to face paranatural anomalies and terrifying Hiss.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/29773120

cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/22605388

Formerly known as project Condor, this is Remedy's first fully self-published project.

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