If the Federal Bureau of Control rings a bell, it should. Originally introduced in Remedy Entertainment’s 2019 hit Control, this shadowy government agency investigates supernatural phenomena with a blend of science, mystery, and... complete dimensional chaos. But with FBC: Firebreak, players step away from the iconic halls of the Oldest House and into the Bureau’s frontline response teams—armed with telekinetic tools and a mission to neutralize unstable paranatural zones known as Rifts.
So... What Is FBC: Firebreak exactly?
At its core, FBC: Firebreak is a 3-player cooperative PvE (Player vs Environment) shooter set in the same universe as Control. Rather than continuing the story of Jesse Faden, Firebreak puts players in the boots of Bureau response agents—teams tasked with sealing off dangerous anomalies threatening to warp reality itself. The salary for that job must truly be out of this world.
Each match sends squads into a procedurally shifting Rift zone, where objectives, enemies, and layouts vary each time. Combat involves Bureau-issued weapons, psychic abilities, and unpredictable environmental manipulation. It’s not a horror game, but definitely leans into eerie and surreal territory that fans of the original Control will instantly recognize.
Firebreak doesn’t require prior knowledge of Control to play, but it does live within the same narrative framework. References to the Oldest House, Altered World Events (AWEs), and other Bureau terminology all reappear. It feels like a slice of the larger world Remedy built—and while it’s set elsewhere, the tone and identity remain rooted in the Control universe. It's smart to use preexisting universes to add substance if it makes sense.
Game director Mike Kayatta described the project as a “spin-off in the noble sense of the word,” emphasizing that it’s not a direct sequel, but instead a way to explore other parts of the world fans already love. It’s a chance to experience the day-to-day chaos that normal Bureau agents face, outside the once-in-a-generation events of Control's main story.
The development team’s goal was to “translate the Bureau’s unknowable weirdness into team-based gameplay,” giving players a sense of working together in unpredictable situations where no two missions feel quite the same.
Features
3-player co-op PvE action, with matchmaking and quick-play options
Paranatural threats including anomalies, time distortions, and reality fractures
Agent loadouts and abilities that can be customized as players progress
Rift zones that change layout and objectives between sessions
Lore-rich documents and references tying back to Control’s universe
If Remedy has no problem digging further into the Control universe, you never know what we'll see next. In the mean time, Remedy can add to the fun factor with additional content as the life of their first FPS multiplayer game rolls on. They're working on updates, so stay tuned as they continue to make the game worth every penny. If the game grabs your attention, grab some friends, grab some controllers and game on!
