Hours after my first encounter with *FBC: Firebreak*, I found myself engrossed in a decadent cream cake. Unfortunately, my clumsiness got the better of me when a dollop of cream accidentally landed in my blood orange cocktail, dissolving instantly. As I watched the swirls dance in my glass, I was suddenly transported back to the eerie corridors of the Federal Bureau of Control. The vivid memory of firing white-hot bursts into glowing red enemies flooded my mind. This is the kind of surreal leap that happens when you visit Remedy’s creative headquarters.

Remedy Entertainment, known for its diverse game library ranging from horror to sci-fi and neo-noir detective stories, has never shied away from embracing the absurd. Their latest venture, *Firebreak*, marks their debut in the world of first-person shooters and co-op multiplayer. It’s delightfully silly—a trait that fans have come to adore. Over a two-hour session, I not only annihilated opponents with a garden gnome but also battled a towering sticky note monstrosity. These eccentric elements convinced me that Remedy’s unique flair for injecting weirdness could make *Firebreak* stand out in the competitive online shooter market.

FBC: Firebreak - Gameplay Screenshots

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Set six years after the events of Control (2019), Firebreak revisits the iconic setting of The Oldest House. Fans of Control will recognize the familiar brutalist architecture and quirky Finnish folk music, creating an atmosphere that feels both comforting and unsettling. In Firebreak, players are tasked with re-entering this enigmatic government building to contain localized outbreaks of the Hiss—a dimensional threat that infects both living and non-living entities. Think of yourselves as paranormal Ghostbusters armed with shotguns instead of proton packs. And yes, crossing the streams is highly encouraged.

Each game session begins with choosing one of three kits, essentially acting as the game’s classes. The Fix Kit allows you to repair vital machines like ammo stations and healing showers. The Splash Kit equips you with a hydro cannon capable of restoring health and dousing enemies in water. Lastly, the Jump Kit provides a short-range Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor to electrify foes. These kits complement each other beautifully, leading to explosive combinations when used together. For instance, zapping a soaked mob creates quite the spectacle.

Though the game supports solo play, it shines brightest in co-op mode. Communication and teamwork are essential, especially as missions escalate in intensity. Every job follows the same formula: enter, complete objectives, and retreat to safety. My initial task was straightforward—repairing three malfunctioning heat fans while fending off waves of enemies. But as the difficulty ramped up, so did the challenges.

One mission involved destroying scattered sticky notes. While it sounds simple, the mission became chaotic as Hiss-infested foes appeared at regular intervals, and the notes themselves could attach to players, dealing damage. Destroying them manually was tedious, but using the elemental kits—soaking them with water and shocking them—proved far more efficient. Even during solo play, there’s plenty to do thanks to the solid gunplay mechanics. I gravitated toward the machine gun, enjoying the satisfaction of mowing down glowing red ghouls that exploded into an oily mist reminiscent of Control.

The third mission, set in The Oldest House’s Black Rock Quarry, demanded the most teamwork. Collecting radioactive pearls from squelchy leeches and safely transporting them to designated areas tested our communication and coordination. Enemies, radiation hazards, and instakill astral spikes added layers of complexity. Despite the chaos, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

While the mission structures are relatively straightforward, completing them unlocks clearance levels, providing extended objectives and longer play sessions. Subsequent visits reveal expanded maps with additional chambers, tougher foes, and more intricate puzzles. Boss fights act as gatekeepers, requiring strategic thinking and precise execution. One memorable encounter involved a giant sticky note entity that slammed us with its massive fists. Its defeat relied heavily on teamwork and communication, making it one of my favorite moments in the game.

The game also features corrupted items, like a rubber duck that redirected enemies, and environmental hazards, such as traffic lights that inflicted damage. These flourishes bring back fond memories of Control. Unlockable tools further enhance the experience, including ultimate abilities like the Splash Kit’s Teapot or the Jump Kit’s garden gnome, which summoned electrical storms. While these abilities brought chaos and fun, they sometimes overwhelmed the screen, making tactical play difficult.

Despite its strong foundation, readability remains a concern. Navigating maps can be confusing, and distinguishing between allies and enemies during intense firefights is occasionally tricky. However, the developers are aware of these issues and plan to address them before the June 17 launch.

At launch, Firebreak will include five game modes, with two more planned by the end of 2025. Each mode offers replayability and depth through evolving objectives and clearance levels. Priced at $39.99, it’s an appealing option for both Control veterans and newcomers seeking a fun shooter experience.

The always-online co-op format is challenging, but Remedy’s signature quirkiness gives Firebreak a fighting chance. With thoughtful improvements, it has the potential to carve its own niche in the crowded online shooter landscape. After all, even the dollop of cream in my cocktail couldn’t stop me from finishing it.