Following the staggering success of Marvel Rivals and securing their place with popular hits like Naraka: Bladepoint, NetEase is now diving into the vibrant arena of hero shooters with their latest creation, FragPunk. This exciting venture comes from their fresh in-house team, Bad Guitar Studio, composed of enthusiastic FPS devotees. I recently had the chance to join them for an exclusive play session, exploring new characters and maps, and it’s clear that their attention to detail is on point.
FragPunk’s primary game mode, Shard Clash, follows a 5-on-5 format. At first blush, it resembles the skirmishes you’d find in games like Overwatch, but the gameplay is refreshed with a blend of influences. These rounds draw inspiration from Counter-Strike’s bomb defusal missions, challenging one team to plant bombs while the other defends, all within tight, strategically designed arenas.
As expected from a hero shooter, the game features a variety of characters, known as Lancers, each boasting unique abilities. During our session, we tested out Chum, a newly introduced stone robot character with a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper. Alongside using an arsenal of satisfying firearms, Chum can hurl projectiles akin to sticky mines and smoke grenades, while Chomper acts as a support, tracking and biting enemies for repeated low-damage hits. Tweak Chomper with treats, and it either explodes on impact or leaves a smokescreen, adding a rich layer of strategy that’s just plain fun to experiment with.
Naturally, being made of stone, Chum is built for defense, making him a versatile pick for newcomers. Other Lancer abilities range from offensive to defensive and tactical, featuring walls for cover, traps, speed boosts, and skills that highlight enemies on the map. We tried our hand with several Lancers and noticed how they each changed the game dynamic. Nitro, with her drone and turrets, racked up assists effortlessly; while Axon impressed with his offensive skills, including projectile bombs and a guitar-gun. To ease players into their choices, a short video preview guides you through each ability.
What truly sets FragPunk apart is the Shard Cards system. Every round kicks off with each team getting a set of three random cards that can be swapped around, each altering the round’s rules. Some cards provide simple stat boosts, while others create quirky conditions like inflating enemy head sizes, altering difficulty for headshots. Other cards drastically alter gameplay.
For instance, one card equipped us with a proximity detector, alerting us to nearby foes visually and audibly, while another gave us the gift of health regeneration, providing a decisive edge. Some cards modify the environment, cloaking the map in fog that obscures visibility and raises tension. Others have dynamic effects—swap health bars or gear, or leap into a parallel dimension to ambush enemies.
Initially, it’s a lot to absorb. With only 30 seconds to finalize your choices and over 150 cards in play, it can seem daunting. But as Creative Director Xin Chang explains, “We designed each card to be as straightforward as possible for quick understanding, with concise descriptions and clear visual cues.”
After a few rounds, the Shard Cards system made each session feel fresh and dynamic, prompting constant strategic adjustments based on team combinations and enemy configurations.
Interestingly, the inspiration for these Shard Cards came not just from other games, but from sports. The development studio, blessed with a spacious gym, often draws parallels to games like basketball, where rules tweak to maintain excitement. “The concept of changing rules kept it interesting,” shares Xin Chang. “We wanted to replicate something similar here.”
Sports also shaped the map designs within FragPunk. Level Designer An Yuan notes their intent to divide each map into zones favorable for attack or defense, requiring players to stay on the move, similar to basketball strategy.
Another intriguing addition is the Duel mode. If a match ends in a tie, it transitions to a tense one-on-one battle, reminiscent of Call of Duty’s Gulag but inspired by soccer’s penalty shootouts. Players cycle through short, intense rounds in vertically layered arenas, under the watchful eyes of teammates, adding pressure and excitement. It’s such a hit that it’s been spun into its own mode, Duel Master.
Each map teems with interactive features that crafty players can use to their advantage. We explored the newly introduced Dongtian map—a canvas inspired by Asian aesthetics set in Hangzhou. Here, players can rotate bomb sites by using a central switch, shifting strategies for both sides.
Yuan reveals, “The rotating walls are designed to give an edge, prompting players to fight for the core area.” Other maps, like BlackMarket, Akhet, and Tundra, boast their own unique twists. From controllable bridges to magic portals, they offer ample opportunities for strategic play.
Dongtian also serves as the backdrop for Lancer Kismet, with Narrative Director Wenhe Fu hinting that each character hails from a distinct universe, offering rich storytelling possibilities.
Artistically, FragPunk shines. Its blend of punk influences with a sci-fi twist is visually stunning, highlighted by vibrant kill animations and easily navigable maps. The game’s aesthetic makes every corner a visual delight.
FragPunk will launch as a free-to-play title, offering a select few Lancers at the outset, with more unlockable via in-game currency or optional microtransactions. Given some of the pricing criticism faced by other NetEase games, it will be interesting to see how this aspect unfolds, though their track record of player satisfaction offers some reassurance.
Beyond Shard Clash and Duel, FragPunk promises a variety of modes catering to every level of gamer, whether you’re a hardcore competitor or a casual fan. With features designed for players and streamers alike, FragPunk is gearing up to make its mark in the gaming world.
