Every Control Character Referenced in FBC: Firebreak

Remedy usually puts narrative at the forefront of its games. While the gameplay in titles like Control and Alan Wake 2 still feels engaging and enjoyable, the star of the show is undoubtedly the game's mind-bending narrative, its otherworldly twists and turns, and the deliberately archetypal characters at the heart of it all. FBC: Firebreak doesn't follow this tradition, however.

As a multiplayer co-op shooter first and foremost, FBC: Firebreak puts a much stronger emphasis on gameplay than previous Remedy titles. Naturally, this means that narrative takes a bit of a backseat in Firebreak. Aside from some main menu voiceovers and loading screen text documents, there's very little ongoing narrative in FBC: Firebreak. But those loading screen documents do at least contain some references to Control's cast.

How FBC: Firebreak's Review Scores Compare to Control, Alan Wake's

FBC: Firebreak hasn't had the strongest reception during its launch week, and its review scores mark quite the departure for Remedy Entertainment.

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By Cameron Swan

Every Control Character Mentioned in FBC: Firebreak

Jesse Faden

The protagonist of 2019's Control, Jesse Faden is mentioned quite a few times in FBC: Firebreak's loading screen documents. Along with being credited for approving the study of Altered Items like the AI44 Teapot, Jesse's name is mentioned a few times in some letters that argue with her directorial actions. One letter from an unknown person begins with the line "Jesse Faden? More like Jesse Fade-OUT already, please!" And goes on to say her handling of the Hiss invasion has been "TERRIBLE."

Another letter, this one from Simon Arish, asks Jesse to rethink her decision to allow Hank Flowers' new Firebreak teams to carry out jobs in the off-limits sectors of the Oldest House. He ends the letter by saying that he knows he won't change her mind, but that he wants to at least send one of his people to oversee the operation. It seems Jesse agreed, as Jerry Standish was sent to work alongside Flowers.

Ahti

Right at the end of the Hot Fix 3 finale, when players throw the last Black Rock barrel into the gigantic furnace, Hank Flowers' randomized voiceover will occasionally mention the "janitor" that used to work in the Oldest House. This "weird foreign janitor" is also mentioned in a letter from Frankie M. To FBC management that complains about the furnace's instability. These are clear references to Ahti, the aloof Finnish janitor – and possible paranatural entity – who appears in both Control and Alan Wake 2.

Emily Pope

The new FBC Head of Research following Casper Darling's disappearance, Emily Pope appears throughout Control. She's also briefly mentioned in one of FBC: Firebreak's in-game letters, where Firebreak head Hank Flowers sends Pope some "feedback" regarding her research department. Flowers complains about two FBC researchers who "stole" an Altered Item and used it to open a portal to "Pink Bullshit Wonderland," a mess the Firebreak teams are now expected to clean up.

Simon Arish

The FBC's Head of Security following Control's events, Simon Arish wrote the aforementioned letter to Director Jesse Faden, asking her to rethink the Firebreak initiative.

Zachariah Trench & Broderick Northmoor

In the letter that condemns Jesse Faden's approach to the Hiss invasion, Zachariah Trench and Broderick Northmoor are mentioned by name. Zachariah Trench was the previous FBC Director before Jesse, who was corrupted by the Hiss and unintentionally allowed their invasion of the Oldest House. Trench took his own life right as Jesse entered the Oldest House.

Broderick Northmoor was the FBC Director before him. Northmoor lost control of his paranatural abilities and agreed to be sealed inside the Oldest House's power plant, where his unstable abilities continue to be used to power the FBC headquarters.

Bethany Harrington

Bethany Harrington primarily works in the FBC's Parapsychology department, but she's also known for making a series of puppet shows called "Threshold Kids." These educational puppet shows were designed to teach Prime Candidates about a variety of paranatural topics and the many quirks of the Oldest House. Jerry Standish, one of Firebreak's bureaucrat leaders, sends Harrington a letter asking her to make a series of introductory puppet videos for new Firebreak recruits.

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