I'm already having a great time with FBC: Firebreak's innovative cooperative gameplay.

      As I battled a colossal sticky note monster deep within the executive offices of the Federal Bureau of Control, I took comfort in the realization that Remedy Entertainment still retains its quirky and wildly creative essence with its new cooperative first-person shooter, FBC: Firebreak.

      Whenever a studio recognized for its exceptional single-player experiences ventures into new territory, it often feels uncertain whether it will succeed. Success stories like Rare's Sea of Thieves contrast with cautionary tales such as Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Thankfully, after spending three hours playing the game, it seems that FBC: Firebreak is more likely to follow the success route.

      The studio’s relative inexperience in this genre can be noticed in aspects like the user interface clarity, but overall, this is a cooperative shooter that excels due to enjoyable gunplay and inventive mission designs that fully utilize Remedy’s eccentric interconnected universe. FBC: Firebreak is a game I’m already eager to revisit, which is a promising sign after just a few hours of gameplay.

      In FBC: Firebreak, players take on the role of volunteers clearing out supernatural threats that have taken over The Oldest House. Players work in teams of three to complete various job-specific objectives before returning to the elevator to exit. It shares similarities with games like Left 4 Dead and Deep Rock Galactic, a strategic choice for Remedy instead of entering the fiercely competitive extraction shooter or battle royale scenes.

      Each player can equip a unique kit tied to a specific element. I utilized the Jump Kit, which focuses on electrocuting adversaries. An effective team composition would also include a kit that could wet enemies, thereby enhancing the area of effect for my electrical powers. Different situations in FBC’s levels influence the elemental interactions. For example, a fiery grenade can trigger a sprinkler, lingering near a furnace can cause heat damage, or holding radiated leech pearls for too long could lead to poisoning. A significant amount of the enjoyment in FBC arises from the interaction of these elements, and I found myself cheering when my team executed a powerful enemy combo.

      The gunplay in FBC also feels tight so far, with the machine gun becoming a personal favorite due to the way it animated as I fired. As someone who was disappointed by the limitations of wielding only a pistol in Control, I appreciate that FBC allows me to use various other weapons from that world. The game shines brightest when it fully embraces its Remedy roots. Exploring the furnace from a fresh perspective deepened my familiarity with the area, while unique level features like sticky note monsters or wall growths that drop radioactive pearls offer a supernatural quality that fits seamlessly within Remedy’s Connected Universe.

      I’m also thankful that this hands-on session confirmed strong mission design in FBC. A common flaw in many co-op shooters, such as Suicide Squad, is that missions tend to simply involve defeating a set number of enemies and moving on. FBC never simplifies to that extent, requiring players to maneuver a shuttle along a track while collecting pearls or activate generators around the furnace as waves of enemies advance. The objectives evolve as players increase the difficulty, which should provide added replay value.

      FBC stands apart from other cooperative shooters, and that is its greatest strength. This uniqueness is also why I am hopeful that I can overlook some of Remedy’s teething issues as it explores the multiplayer realm with a fresh take on the world of Control. During my experience with FBC, I encountered some issues with UI and UX clarity. For example, I struggled to identify which enemies were inflicting damage on me. One objective, which involved my team filling barrels with a substance before tossing them into a massive furnace, was unclear about which barrels were filled and where we could fill them.

      In a debrief prior to my demo, Remedy indicated that it was making efforts to clarify features, systems, and UI, so I hope some of these issues will be addressed before launch. If these concerns can be resolved, Remedy may have a standout multiplayer shooter on its hands. As someone subscribed to both services that FBC will be launching on, I'm eager to give it another try when it releases.

      FBC: Firebreak is set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on June 17, and it will be available from day one as part of both the PS Plus Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate catalogs.