FBC: Firebreakhas had a bit of a mixed reception since its launch last week. One of the most common criticisms levied at the co-op game is its severe lack of weapons, which is quite a sizable issue for afirst-person horde shooter.
There are just six weapons inFBC: Firebreakat launch. But there’s more to a loadout than just its primary weapon. Players are also able to take a grenade and special item with them into each ofFBC: Firebreak’s Jobs, along with their Kit’s unique utility weapon. The Fix Kit gets a wrench, the Jump Kit gets an electric gun, and the Splash Kit gives players a big water hose. These Kit utility weapons are a little lackluster at first, but after a few upgrades they can really shine, especially once players unlock the Altered Augments, a great gameplay addition that walks a fine line well.
FBC: Firebreak Strikes a Careful Balance With its Weapon Augments
FBC: Firebreak’s Weapon Augments Explained
Each ofFBC: Firebreak’s utility weaponshas a unique Altered Augment that acts as the utilities' final upgrade. These Altered Augments equip the weapon with an Altered Item, which, for those who haven’t playedControl,is a seemingly ordinary everyday item that’s been imbued with unpredictable paranatural energy.
In gameplay terms, these Altered Augments give players' utility weapons a powerful new attack. The three Altered Augments are as follows:
UnlockingFBC: Firebreak’s Altered Augments has just been made a lot easier, with Remedy’s first update decreasing the time needed to obtain essential upgrades.
FBC: Firebreak’s Weapon Augments Channel Control’s Greatest Strength Without Sacrificing Continuity
One ofControl’s greatest strengths was its gameplay, more specifically the mechanics introduced in its mid-late game.Control’s gameplaybegins to shine when players unlock the ability to telekinetically launch objects at enemies, and it feels like it’s firing on all cylinders when players obtain the paranatural ability of flight.
Given the premise ofFBC: Firebreak, it seemed unlikely thatControl’s best mechanics would be carried over to the co-op shooter. InFirebreak, players take control of a team of faceless, expendable grunts sent to fix the Oldest House’s biggest problems. Naturally, they’re not nearly as powerful as theFederal Bureau of Control’s new Director, Jesse Faden.
ButFBC: Firebreakdoesn’t let Jesse have all the fun. By framing these abilities as Altered Items and giving them a lengthy cooldown between uses,FBC:Firebreak’s Altered Augmentsgive players a taste of that paranatural power without jeopardizing the importance of Jesse’s character, or diminishing her role in the Remedy Connected Universe, thus striking a very careful balance.
