“What. Is. THAT?”
At Remedy HQ, me and two other writers getting a first hands-on with the forthcoming FBC: Firebreak have hit a problem. Namely, a strange, ever-changing black-grey mass, aimlessly and unnervingly stuttering around the Quarry we’re currently exploring. We have no idea what it is until we get close enough to recognize it—an Astral Spike from Firebreak’s ‘prequel,’ Control. But by then, it’s too late. Our screams that soon follow confirm it’s still just as deadly as ever.
It’s not the only surprise I encountered in my extensive playthrough of the already slick and utterly engaging first-person squad-based shooter, launching June 17 on PlayStation 5. Here’s what I discovered from a fair few rounds of firefighting a paranatural invasion in the Oldest House.
Live as a team or die alone repeatedly
The focus on creating a team of three for the game’s player vs. environment (PvE) set-up is to hone in on the three classes of the game, known as Crisis Kits. I plumped for the Jump Kit, which specializes in crowd control and power management, while my two teammates went for the Fix Kit (a repair and tech expert) and Splash Kit (a water dealer and status support for other players).
These Kits are designed to complement and collaborate in tasks and attacks, so trying to be a maverick only leads to death, likely yours. Communication is absolutely essential – especially as it’s easy to get caught in friendly fire – and taking full advantage of the Kits’ tools is the only way to survive the endless supply of rampaging hordes. And given that you possess a limited number of respawns between your team, reviving each other on the field is the best way to stay in the game, not always easy when dozens of Hiss beasties surround you.
Crafting the perfect loadout
In addition to the expected rifles, shotguns, and pistols, each Kit consists of three types of equipment: a tool, augment, and item. My Jump Kit’s initial loadout features an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor tool for shocking enemies, powering up generators, and even jumping long distances, and a BOOMbox item that distracts enemies once it’s charged.
The systemic subtleties of each Kit’s equipment is where the teamwork comes into play. My Splash Kit comrade-in-arms uses his Crank-Operated Fluidic Ejector tool to wet the beasts, which maximizes my electrocution attack on them. At the same time, our Fix Kit buddy utilizes his Swivel Turret item that automatically tracks and unleashes a volley of rounds at any stragglers.
Like the best co-op shooters, FBC: Firebreak encourages you to improvise under increasingly difficult odds, while not being afraid of the hilarity that comes with the chaos. There’s a mischievous glee from the Remedy staff when they unlock our Kits’ augments, and I soon see why. Once charged, my augment – named the AI19 Garden Gnome – fired out an unassuming gnome that unleashed a massive electrical storm that was far too close to my entire team and got us all electrocuted. My bad.
Playing with piggy banks and paper
Of course, it’s not all just fighting (or accidentally maiming your teammates) with things like the enemy igniting AI44 Teapot or the incredibly significant damage of the ‘break on contact but reforming’ AI16 Piggy Bank. FBC’s director and Control’s protagonist, Jesse Faden, has given you specific tasks to ensure the invasion of Hiss is contained.
In this build of the game, I have access to three of the five Jobs that will be present at launch. Hot Fix challenges you to repair a number of heat fans and ultimately reseal the Maintenance Sector’s paranatural Furnace. Paper Chase requires the destruction of a set number of sticky notes, as well as surviving the shuffling sticky note monsters. Ground Control drops you into Black Rock Quarry to kill Astral Leeches in order to uncover irradiated pearls that need to be collected into a shuttle and launched into orbit.
Each well-designed level offers opportunities to use the Kits’ different abilities, such as the Fix Kit’s wrench providing quick repairs to broken fans that lets you sidestep the button matching sub-game other Kits might need to perform, or the Splash Kit’s Humidifier spraying healing water to wash off radiation.
But the Jobs also bring their fair share of downright terrifying moments, such as the confrontation with the literally giant sticky note boss monster, Sticky Ricky, which requires you to power up surrounding generators before you can hurt it. Or the aforementioned nightmare-inducing Astral Spikes that haunt the Quarry.
Customization and corruption keep you guessing
With its satisfying gunplay and smooth controls that feel at home on the DualSense wireless controller, there’s a lot to look forward to with FBC: Firebreak. Plenty of extra tantalizing elements will be expanded for launch, too, such as the many unlockable customizable gears and cosmetics for weapons, equipment, armor, or level unlock perks, such as the chance for electrified bullets or the ability to shake off radiation or fire by jumping up and down.
There’s even a Corruption Level modifier that introduces Corrupted Items that cause additional hazards, such as low gravity or—the horrifying one I encountered, which led to many deaths—super fast enemies. It’s all designed to make the most of movement and character status-based systems, creating unpredictable results that set up FBC: Firebreak to be a compelling and ever-evolving experience.
The doors to the Oldest House reopen when FBC: Firebreak shoots onto PS5 on June 17, with day one availability for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members as part of PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. And for anyone who still has any doubts, don’t worry – Remedy has this all under Control.
