Following the success of Marvel Rivals and popular titles like Naraka: Bladepoint, NetEase is stepping into the hero shooter realm with FragPunk. The newly formed Bad Guitar Studio, a team of passionate FPS enthusiasts, has crafted a game that shows great attention to detail. I was fortunate enough to join them for an hour of gameplay, where I got to experience a fresh character and a new map firsthand.
FragPunk’s core gameplay thrives in its 5v5 Shard Clash mode. While it may remind players of Overwatch, it brings unique twists. Each round feels akin to the bomb-defusal missions in Counter Strike, with one team planting bombs while the other defends. The maps are compact, keeping the action fast-paced and engaging.
Players can pick from various characters known as Lancers, each with special abilities. I tested out Chum, a stone robot with a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper. Chum can use traditional weapons, throw sticky projectiles, and deploy Chomper for support. This little fish can track enemies and deliver low-damage bites, or become more explosive thanks to customizable treats. This blend of offense and support adds a strategic layer that keeps the gameplay fresh.
Chum is a stone robot who is accompanied by a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper.
Being constructed from stone, Chum serves as a robust defense character, making him accessible for new players.
The Lancers offer a variety of abilities, from offensive to defensive tactics. For example, traps, speed boosts, and enemy highlighting skills make each character distinct. During our session, I found using Nitro with her controllable drone quite effective, while Axon’s aggressive skills, like bombs and a guitar-gun, were exhilarating. The Lancer selection screen includes short clips to help players understand each character’s abilities quickly.
A standout feature in FragPunk is the Shard Cards system. At the beginning of each round, teams receive three random cards that alter the rules for that round. Some cards provide minor buffs, while others introduce quirky challenges, like enlarging enemy head sizes or switching health bars with opponents.
For instance, one card gave us a proximity alarm for nearby enemies, while another gradually restored our health. Environmental changes, such as fog obscuring vision or unpredictable teleportation events, add layers of unpredictability. It’s a unique spin that encourages players to adapt strategies on the fly.
Learning the Shard Cards takes time, but once you grasp them, they add a fresh twist to each round. You’ll find yourself rethinking strategies and adjusting to the cards in play.
The ruleset-shuffling Shard Cards were inspired not only by other videogames, but also by sports.
Interestingly, the Shard Cards were influenced by sports. The team, filled with athletes, wanted to introduce dynamic rule changes much like those found in basketball or soccer. They strive to keep the gameplay engaging.
The maps also reflect a sports-inspired design. Each map is divided into areas that cater to attack or defense, much like how basketball courts are designed for different player roles. This helps ensure players stay on the move.
FragPunk includes a Duel mode for tie-breaking situations, reminiscent of Call of Duty’s Gulag but inspired by soccer penalties. It features fast-paced, one-on-one rounds, allowing players to shine under pressure, adding a fun layer to competitive play.
The game’s maps have interactive elements for strategic depth. In the Dongtian map, players can rotate bomb sites to shift the balance of power. It creates exciting tactical opportunities for both attackers and defenders.
Each map has interactive gimmicks that players can use strategically to gain the upper hand.
Level Designer An Yuan explained that rotating walls change the game dynamics, urging players to battle for control of crucial areas.
Other maps have their own engaging mechanics. For instance, BlackMarket’s bridge changes the layout, while Tundra’s portals allow quick repositioning, enhancing tactical variety for players willing to master them.
Dongtian, home of the Lancer Kismet, features a rich narrative backdrop. The multiverse concept allows characters from diverse worlds, which will be explained to players over time.
The map’s design blends Eastern architectural elements with futuristic sci-fi aesthetics, creating a visually striking environment that draws players in.
Art Director Yiming Li expressed the intention to unite different cultural vibes into a coherent sci-fi world, just like in Star Wars, where various civilizations coexist under a shared universe.
Visually, FragPunk is stunning. Its vibrant, punk-infused take on sci-fi aesthetics stands out, with colorful kill animations and dynamic maps that make the action easy to follow. Even the menu design captures attention, reminiscent of styles seen in Persona or Street Fighter 6.
FragPunk will be free-to-play, offering a small roster of Lancers initially, with more available as players progress. Cosmetic purchases will be optional, keeping the balance focused on gameplay. While past NetEase games faced scrutiny over pricing, they generally maintain player satisfaction, which is promising.
Beyond Shard Clash and Duel, FragPunk plans to introduce various modes to cater to all types of players, ensuring accessibility for newcomers and challenges for the skilled, showing that the dev team values both enjoyment and competition.
