I confess, I was skeptical when Remedy announced a live-service game set in the beloved Control universe. While I enjoy a good multiplayer shooter, it was hard to envision how Remedy’s signature storytelling would translate. My mind immediately jumped to the unfortunate fate of games like Redfall, where talented developers were seemingly pushed into creating something against their instincts. Sadly, FBC Firebreak faced a similar lukewarm reception, struggling with player engagement and even apathy at launch. Now, Remedy is stepping in to, well, remedy the situation with its first major update: Breakpoint.
For those unfamiliar, FBC Firebreak is a cooperative multiplayer game where you become part of the Federal Bureau of Control’s elite first response team. Your mission? To neutralize paranormal threats before they spiral out of control and endanger the world. You know the drill – standard FBC procedure!
The game suffered from a rough launch, plagued by critical bugs, a missing tutorial, and a lack of mission diversity, leading to generally poor reviews. However, recent Steam reviews show a promising shift toward ‘mostly positive.’ This newfound momentum offers a ray of hope for Firebreak, and developer Remedy Entertainment aims to build on this with the Breakpoint update.
Remedy’s first priority for improvement is the mission system. The old ‘Job Board’ is being replaced by the ‘Crisis Board,’ which promises a fresh approach to presenting tasks. More importantly, Remedy assures players that this change will deliver “a larger variety of fun gameplay” and make “better use of levels than ever before.” While it seems to be more of a structural overhaul than entirely new mission types, any step towards a less repetitive gameplay loop is a welcome improvement.
In addition, Remedy is committing to “more variety” within each crisis, aiming for a more dynamic and less predictable experience. This change feels much more fitting for a game set within the ever-shifting confines of The Oldest House. We’ll eagerly await details on how this dynamism is brought to life. Players can also look forward to a brand new crisis in the research sector, complete with three new weapons to help contain a hazardous mold outbreak.
For newcomers, or those who were immediately turned off by the initial lack of guidance, Remedy is introducing a comprehensive new onboarding experience. This includes a playable tutorial and an introductory video to ease players into the action. The UI is also getting a facelift, with clearer indicators for harmful conditions, which should prevent frustrating deaths from unseen toxins.
The final significant addition comes in the form of gun mods. These new items will allow players to deeply customize their arsenal, with each weapon able to equip up to three different modifications.
Remedy openly admits that “Breakpoint is only the first major step” and that “a few more” updates are needed. However, this patch clearly signals a move in the right direction, directly addressing many common fan complaints and requests. With further fresh content planned for November 2025 and March 2026, there’s renewed hope that FBC Firebreak can truly capture players’ interest.
The FBC Firebreak Breakpoint major update is set to release on Monday, September 29. Future updates are already scheduled for November 2025 and March 2026.
If this has you eager for some shared adventures, consider exploring the best co-op games available. Or, if you prefer to tackle challenges solo, delve into the world of top-tier first-person shooters.
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