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Exploring the Intricacies of FBC: Firebreak

FBC: Firebreak, the latest creation from Remedy Entertainment, has generated considerable buzz as a fresh take on cooperative online first-person shooters. After experiencing a demonstration hosted by the developers, it’s apparent that the game’s appeal lies in its unique combination of engaging features. Set within the sterile confines of the Federal Bureau of Control’s headquarters, FBC: Firebreak successfully blends Remedy’s signature dark surrealism with an element of humor and intricate gameplay mechanics. The game has often been likened to a modern adaptation of Left 4 Dead, swapping out zombies for the Hiss and opting for three-player squads instead of the traditional four.

The environment of FBC: Firebreak unfolds six years after the events of Control. The Oldest House, once a symbol of power for the FBC, is now locked down with the Hiss as its primary inhabitants. Players join the Firebreak team—volunteers with minimal combat training—and are tasked with eliminating this invasion while trying to escape with their lives. The setting feels both ominous and thrilling, creating a palpable tension for players as they navigate the hazards within.

Missions in FBC: Firebreak are categorized into Jobs, each offering a distinct challenge set across different zones of The Oldest House. Although all Jobs consist of three zones, they feature unique objectives and environments, enhancing variability in gameplay. Players have the opportunity to tailor their missions by selecting the Threat Level, determining combat difficulty and potential rewards, and the Clearance Level, which indicates how many zones must be cleared. This customizable approach adds a layer of strategy to each session.

“I will say we do have more than three clearance levels, and you get into some pretty interesting stuff later, such as corrupted items that appear during the job,” noted game director Mike Kayatta.

Before embarking on a mission, players can choose from three Crisis Kits tailored to specific playstyles—each coming with distinct tools and items to utilize. The Jump Kit, for instance, focuses on electrical attacks with devices like the Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor, while the Fix Kit offers a wrench for repairing machinery and a turret that players must assemble mid-combat. Meanwhile, the Splash Kit caters to those who prefer a water-based strategy, featuring the Crank-Operated Fluidic Injector for extinguishing fires and soaking foes for extra damage.

“A good way to look at all of this is that you’re going to sort of combine the threat level and the clearance level and the type of job you want to play to create your own load, your own experience,” Kayatta advised.

Firebreak squad members have access to Research Perks, which vehicle upgrades can enhance using currency earned through missions. By stacking similar Perks, players can amplify their effects and share them with teammates—adding a collaborative strategy to the gameplay.

“For example, one perk might give you the feature that each missed bullet has a chance to return to your clip,” said community manager Julius Fondem. “If you equip just one perk, you get its effect. If you equip two of the same type, you get a stronger version, and three’ll share the effect with teammates.”

While eliminating Hiss is certainly part of the game plan, accumulating currency stands as another crucial objective. Players can use this currency to acquire new gear, cosmetics, and additional Perks, with rewards available regardless of mission success. However, players must collect currency from the environment and escape intact to keep their gains.

“Ultimately, Firebreak is about efficiency,” Fondem explained. “You can’t fail objectives, but the longer you spend completing them, the more Hiss will appear, increasing the likelihood of your squad’s demise.”

Regarding post-launch content, Remedy has indicated a commitment to keeping new Jobs available for all players without cost, planning to offer paid cosmetic options instead.

The demo showcased a particular Mission called Paper Chase, set in a classic FBC office space. This whimsical mission involved combat against sticky-note creatures and culminated in a battle against a formidable sticky-note titan. Players employed an array of weapons and environmental factors to tackle challenges, ensuring an entertaining and dynamic gameplay experience.

The design decision to limit the player count to three was apparently a natural evolution stemming from development trials. “We started testing with four players, but it didn’t quite feel right,” Kayatta explained, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and chaos management in the game.

FBC: Firebreak is set for a summer release, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC through Steam and Epic Games Store. It will also be included in the day-one offerings for Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, complete with cross-play functionality. Remedy aims to optimize the game for a broad range of PC systems, including the Steam Deck, while incorporating advanced graphical features such as ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex capabilities.

Source
www.engadget.com