Embr is the fun-filled frantic cooperative game that puts you and your fellow players in the role of firefighters tasked with saving civilians, putting out fires, and escaping from nefarious Canadians trying to make a profit with socialism. There's a lot to love in Embr and while it isn't always perfect, it offers a rollicking good time to those looking for some physics-based firey fun.
Fortunately, as Embr releases on more and more platforms and becomes available to a wider audience, the uninitiated to this firefighting title will have a plethora of people to partner up with. However, while hopping into Embr is certainly encouraged, doing so without first prepping yourself could lead to your untimely fiery demise. From seeking out copious amounts of cash to avoiding dirty laundry, these tips and tricks will get you through the deadliest of flames.
8 Play The Singleplayer Campaign
It is often the case that games are a lot more fun when played with friends, and Embr is no exception. Running around burning buildings and throwing absent-minded civilians from the rooftops of a fire-ridden city is a lot of fun with a friend or two by your side. However, for first-timers of Embr, playing through the game's generously large campaign on your own is a great way to get a handle on things.
Playing through a handful of missions alone will allow you to get to grips with each of the game's core mechanics without worrying about others getting in your way. You'll be able to experiment with the various tools and upgrades and understand the layout of each level before then jumping in with your friends. If you treat the singleplayer mode as an extended tutorial, you'll quickly understand everything the game has to offer.
7 Search For Money
Money is an incredibly important commodity in Embr as it is used to upgrade every one of your tools as well as to purchase additional ones. While you'll earn a little bit of money per level you complete, it'll rarely be enough to actually acquire any good gear quickly. To mitigate this, you'll need to search through each level for the hidden cash that's lying around.
Often tucked away in safes, these bundles of joy will net you a decent amount of money for you to use on future upgrades and tools. However, you need to be quick, as money can be destroyed if the flames get too close. Searching every nook and cranny for hidden cash is a good idea if you want to get your hands on better equipment sooner rather than later.
6 Refill Your Water As Soon As Possible
It's no secret that water is particularly effective at putting out fires. Fortunately, you have access to the finest piece of fire-fighting gear: the Hose. Your Hose is a powerful water pistol that dispenses fires rather quickly and it will become one of the most integral parts of your loadout. However, there is one weakness to the Hose - its supply of water isn't unlimited, and whenever you run out you'll have to find the nearest tap to replenish your supplies.
It is incredibly important to remember to refill your Hose as often as possible in order to not only combat the fires, but to be able to access hidden rooms. As most rooms will be blocked off by some form of firey wall, having enough water at your disposal to create a path is very useful. Additionally, should you get trapped, or engulfed yourself, you want to make sure you have plenty of ammunition left to see you safely to the exit.
5 Keep An Eye On Your Health
While you're bursting through doors to rescue yet another civilian glued to their phone while being burned alive, you'll likely take a few hits from all kinds of dangerous elements. From fire and electrical currents to exploding barrels, it can often feel like the world is against you in Embr. Fortunately, you're a little more proficient in being electrocuted and burned than a normal human being. Instead of dying instantly, you'll simply lose a little bit of health.
As a result, it is important to keep an eye on your health bar at all times to make sure it doesn't dip too far and you die. Now that Embr has joined Xbox Game Pass and its plethora of amazing cooperative games, you'll be able to force your friends to do all the difficult and potentially life-threatening jobs while you sit back and relax.
4 Buy New Tools
When you first start Embr you'll have a handful of indispensable tools at your disposal. From your Hose to your trusty Axe, you'll be able to break down doors, smash through windows, put out fires, and push around charred chairs to your heart's content. However, as the missions get tougher and tougher, you'll want to acquire a handful of additional tools to assist you on your dangerous excursions into burning buildings.
From Throwing Axes to guns that can freeze fires, there are numerous tools that can be purchased. Their prices range from reasonable to obscene, but they're all worth it in the end. Additionally, each and every one of them can be upgraded to be even more proficient and powerful. It is worth investing in some new gear if only to make the game that little bit easier and enjoyable.
3 Beware The Mess On The Floor
More often than not, the civilians you're trying to save forget to clean up before you come and stop their homes burning down. They're more than happy to leave their dirty laundry, piles of garbage, and an assortment of other items lying around on their floors for you to stumble and tread through. Unfortunately, as every second counts when the building you're in is crumbling around you, wading slowly through heaps of rubbish is likely not on the forefront of your mind.
Jumping over these hindrances, or attempting to avoid them altogether, is a surefire way of getting to your targets quickly. As you're slowed down quite significantly while moving through these, it's best to stay as far away as possible. Hopefully one of these days people will learn to clean up their rooms before the firefighters come around.
2 Complete Side Objectives
After completing a mission you'll be given access to a number of side objectives you can complete to unlock various rewards. These side objectives can range from a number of things, and offer new and interesting ways to approach the many levels found in the game's campaign. While these are notably harder to complete than the original level itself, the reward you get from doing them is absolutely worthwhile.
These rewards can be used to purchase better upgrades for your tools, including the jetpack ability for your Hose. This ability alone is worth pursuing a few of these extra side objectives as it adds a whole new layer to the game and each level. Additionally, for those looking to make the most out of the Embr experience, playing through this optional content will offer you new ways to approach each mission.
1 Upgrade The Fire Axe First
Your Axe is one of the most important tools you have at your disposal. It can break through all kinds of things from doors and windows to boxes and barrels. However, while it is perfectly usable at the beginning of the game, in order to make the most out of it and complete levels efficiently, you'll want to upgrade it as soon as possible.
For example, acquiring the Client Safety Insurance upgrade early on will allow you to wield your axe while carrying civilians. While this may not seem like a big deal, it massively reduces the hassle of taking them to safety as it allows you to break windows without having to drop the person. The sheer amount of upgrades available for both the axe and the various other tools is staggering and one of the many reasons Embr is the next best thing for fans of hectic multiplayer games.