FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative first-person shooter developed by Remedy Entertainment and set in the same universe as Control. Players take on the role of the Firebreak unit within the Federal Bureau of Control, entering the Oldest House to contain outbreaks of the Hiss six years after the events of the earlier title. The game emphasizes teamwork in a three-player format, where participants manage objectives amid shifting environments filled with altered enemies and paranormal threats.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around coordinated efforts to complete mission tasks before extracting from hostile zones. Each session places three players in contained areas of the Oldest House, where they handle objectives such as repairs, investigations, or containment procedures while dealing with waves of Hiss-controlled foes. Different Firebreaker kits provide specialized tools: the Splash Kit focuses on area effects, the Fix Kit supports maintenance and utility tasks, and the Jump Kit aids mobility across vertical or obstructed spaces. Players must communicate to cover roles effectively, as enemies adapt and intensify over time. The system rewards precise execution of tasks followed by defensive stands against escalating threats, including boss encounters at extraction points.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of structured co-op missions across five distinct levels, each with unique objectives tied to the Bureau's operations. These include Hot Fix, Paper Chase, Ground Control, Frequency Shift, and Freezer Duty. After finishing core tasks, players call an elevator and defend against a final wave of enemies. A separate wave-based survival option called Endless Shift places teams in rotating arenas drawn from Control locations, testing endurance through repeated enemy waves without fixed objectives. A Friend's Pass feature allows owners to invite others into sessions without requiring them to purchase the game.
Setting and Mechanics
The Oldest House serves as the central location, featuring altered architecture and reality-bending elements consistent with the Control series. Missions incorporate job-like procedures that blend shooting with practical tasks, such as securing areas or managing equipment under pressure. Enemy encounters focus on the Hiss, with human forms twisted by extradimensional influence. The three-player limit encourages tight coordination rather than large-scale battles, and progression involves mastering kit synergies across repeated runs of the same levels.
Current State and Updates
FBC: Firebreak launched on June 17, 2025, for PC and other platforms. Major content additions concluded with the Open House update in March 2026, which introduced the Friend's Pass and adjusted mission scaling through prior patches like Rogue Protocol. No further new content is planned, though servers remain active for ongoing play. The game exists as a standalone co-op title bundled with Control Ultimate Edition, which provides the single-player narrative foundation for the shared world.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with praise for the cooperative loop and kit variety when played with friends or reliable teammates, though some note limited mission variety and shorter overall engagement after initial runs. The final update stabilized the experience and added accessibility options, making it suitable for those seeking short sessions of task-based co-op shooting in a familiar setting. It appeals most to players who enjoy Remedy's paranormal themes combined with focused three-player teamwork rather than expansive single-player campaigns or ongoing live-service elements. Availability through the bundle provides access to both the co-op shooter and the original Control story for broader context. Those preferring narrative-driven adventures may find the single-player component more aligned with their interests, while co-op enthusiasts can test the waters via Friend's Pass invitations.
