Summary
One of the most sought-after features in modern gaming is increased agency, as it allows players more control over how a game is played and therefore can increase its fun factor tenfold. For offline, single-player games, more agency makes sense, as there is less concern about balance issues and metas. Inonline, live-service games, however, player agency is a bit more challenging to incorporate, as a game can end up being severely out of balance when players are essentially allowed to do whatever they want. Even so, it appears as thoughFBC: Firebreakis already on the right path when it comes to player freedom in an online game, with a degree of flexibility that many live-service games fail to achieve.
While it has yet to launch,FBC: Firebreakis already showing just how flexible it can be. At first glance,FBC: Firebreakmight seem like a traditional live-service game, with repetitive activities that players can simply grind over and over to progress. However, its unique loadout system and gameplay structure give it a flexibility that makes each run feel more like a self-contained expedition than a constant grind toward a battle pass tier.
Firebreak’s Flexibility Redefines What Online Co-Op Can Look Like
FBC: Firebreak’s Loadout System Breaks the Rules of Online Co-Op
When it comes to mostonline co-op shooters, building a loadout not only generally means picking a lane and staying there, but it also means players doing what is necessary for their own survival and that of their teammates. Players choose their role, lock into their build, and then hope their teammates complement it — unless they’re playing with friends or communicating with others to ensure cohesiveness. However,FBC: Firebreakappears to take that playbook and tear it up when it hands players their very own Crisis Kit.
On paper,FBC: Firebreak’s Crisis Kits suggest a definitive role in the game. The Fix Kit is largely for support, the Splash Kit is great for crowd control, and the Jump Kit specializes in utility. In practice, though, Crisis Kits are more a starting point than they are a destination. Each Crisis Kit has its own Tool, improvised device, and Altered Augment, but players can still customize their weapon and grenade slot freely. Not only that, but it could be suggested thatFBC: Firebreak’s Crisis Kits are optional, even though players are required to have one equipped before they start a new session.
Essentially, a full team could bring the exact same Crisis Kit into a session and still complete the mission. HowFBC: Firebreakaccomplishes this is by ensuring that each Crisis Kit only makes completing a Job easier, rather thanlocking progression behind specific class requirements. For example, the Fix Kit’s Wrench can make repairs quickly, but players can also manually repair things without the Wrench. It’s slower and riskier, as manual repairs require players to input a series of commands, lest they make a mistake and take damage as a result. However, the point is that it can be done, proving thatFBC: Firebreakunderstands that loadouts should reflect the player, not the meta.
FBC: Firebreak Encourages Both Solo and Group Play
This is also howFBC: Firebreakencourages both solo and group play. Even when players are with a full team of squadmates, they are more reliant on their team for help defeating enemies and performing revives than completing objectives. This means that players could also complete a Job inFBC: Firebreaksolo if they want to, since objectives aren’t tied to specific Crisis Kits. As single-player experiences have become increasingly desired in modern gaming,FBC: Firebreakstands out as one that manages to bridge the gap betweensolo and cooperative online play.
Essentially, a full team could bring the exact same Crisis Kit into a session and still complete the mission.
By refusing to confine players to rigid class roles or force team dependency for basic progression,FBC: Firebreakopens the door to an experience that adapts to the player instead of the other way around. Whether someone prefers tackling challenges solo, coordinating with a squad, or just experimenting with different builds on the fly,FBC:Firebreaksupports it without compromise. If it can stick the landing,FBC: Firebreakcould become a standout example of howonline co-op gamescan offer freedom without sacrificing structure.
