Remedy’s first multiplayer game, FBC: Firebreak, has a release date

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Today, Remedy Entertainment held a livestream centered around their forthcoming cooperative first-person shooter, FBC: Firebreak, set in the universe of Control. The broadcast featured live gameplay from the Paper Chase mission, where reams of sticky notes are proliferating throughout the office, necessitating resolution. Game Director Mike Kayatta discussed the game’s elements and mechanics as Julius Fondem, Community Manager, played alongside several other Remedy team members. Towards the end of the stream, Remedy revealed a release date for FBC: Firebreak, which is set for June 17th.

FBC: Firebreak announces a release date for June via first gameplay livestream

Remedy Entertainment is particularly recognized for crafting immersive single-player games. Titles like Alan Wake 2 (released in 2023) and Control (from 2019) have garnered acclaim, with Control even winning awards in its debut year. The interconnected world these games inhabit is often called the “Remedy-verse”. In Control, we were introduced to the Federal Bureau of Control, a fictional organization handling supernatural events. This bureau appeared in Alan Wake 2, and its main character Jesse Faden was also seen in the Night Springs DLC, a collection of episodic missions. The upcoming game, FBC: Firebreak, expands on this universe but also introduces a multiplayer aspect.

In the title, FBC represents Federal Bureau of Control. This game features three characters collaborating to confront strange phenomena while dismantling the FBC’s offices. A recent preview showcased one such mission where adhesive notes threaten to take over everything. The players must eliminate as many sticky notes as possible, simultaneously fending off hordes of zombie-like assailants pursuing them. The gameplay seems innovative, imaginative, and peculiar in the unique style that I’ve come to expect from a Remedy production, regardless of whether it’s multiplayer or not.

Today’s demonstration offered an up-close examination of certain alternative equipment configurations. The Jump Kit, innovatively designed, appears as if it results from the fusion of a defibrillator with a pogo stick. Its main weapon discharges electricity to jolt opponents and power electronic devices, even illuminating the office when the lights go out. On the other hand, the Splash Kit is reminiscent of a snowball launcher, capable of extinguishing fires, dampening foes, and removing stubborn sticky notes.

From the intriguing clip of that sticky note trailer, I particularly enjoyed the scene where a player is engulfed by sticky notes and collapses, only to reappear as a creature entirely composed of sticky notes, named “shufflers.” In today’s live stream, it was revealed that this isn’t just a unique fate for players, but also for other fallen corpses. What makes shufflers fascinating is their ability to reproduce, much like ordinary sticky notes. Instead of blindly charging at the players, as some enemies might do, shufflers will attempt to evade players in an effort to increase their numbers. This shift in enemy behavior compels players to adapt their strategies, turning a defensive approach into a proactive hunt.

Firebreak: Firebreak seems incredibly innovative and invigorating in the cooperative shooter genre. The gameplay promises to be uniquely different from anything we’ve experienced, and the level of creativity players can employ is captivating. Remedy’s strategy for the game’s systems is also promising.

The game allows you to customize the difficulty, extend or shorten session lengths, and tailor the randomness as needed, but what sets it apart is that any player with advanced perks can share these advantages with their teammates. This means a new player won’t feel disadvantaged if their friend has been playing for a longer period of time.

On June 17th, the game titled “Firebreak” will debut on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. You’ll be able to access it through Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus too. According to a press release, the standard version of the game will retail for $39.99, and there will also be a deluxe edition available.

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2025-04-24 23:02