The Fragpunk open beta is the talk of the town. The shooter is based on a really cool idea, but does the game have enough potential to be a hit?
Yet another free-to-play live-service shooter wants to grab your attention – and with a colorful comic look, no less. As if we didn’t have enough of those already!
But is Fragpunk really just another title in an overcrowded gaming landscape, or is there more to it than that? We took a closer look at the game and want to clarify what makes Fragpunk stand out and whether it is worth investing your precious time in it.
What exactly is Fragpunk?
Fragpunk is – who would have thought – an upcoming 5v5 tactical shooter that combines elements from all kinds of well-known trending games and is currently one of the most played titles at Steam Next Fest.
The game is played in a Counter-Strike-like search-and-destroy mode, in which the attackers have to plant a bomb and the defenders have to prevent them from doing so.
Of course, heroes à la Overwatch are also a must: Your characters can throw grenades, summon smoke screens, set up turrets or move almost invisibly across the map. Those who have played Valorant or Apex Legends will recognize many of the skills.
However, Fragpunk also has a really cool idea to stand out from the competition: the shard cards.
At the beginning of each round, your team can spend points together to select from randomly drawn cards that massively influence the gameplay.
For example, one card might allow you to return from death as a zombie, another might give you opponents with huge heads, and a third might give you the ability to float in the air when you jump while aiming. At least in the first few hours of the game, this ensures plenty of variety and surprises.
Another difference to traditional tactical shooters is the lack of an economic system. All main weapons are free, but if you die with a weapon, you will not be able to use it in the following rounds – unless you have a special shard card for it. In addition, you can change your character, the so-called Lancer, after each round.
To give you an even better impression, we have recorded a complete game for you:
What do we like about Fragpunk?
- Excellent weapon mechanics: The weapons all feel powerful and satisfying. From the animations to the sound design to the gunplay of the weapons, it all feels coherent.
- Great variety: The option to change your Lancer after each round and the use of shard cards keep the gameplay noticeably fresh and exciting.
- Fast-paced and intense gameplay: Rounds are relatively short, with the first team to win four rounds emerging as the victor. Perfect if you don’t want to spend more than 10-15 minutes on a game.
What’s not to like?
- Comic book look: Fragpunk is the umpteenth game to rely on an exaggeratedly colorful comic book look. At first glance, the game is barely distinguishable from Valorant or XDefiant.
- Balancing: Some Lancer abilities seem unbalanced. For example, the mask rocker Axon seems far too powerful with his combination of free shotgun, sticky grenades and high mobility, and regularly tops the scoreboards on the servers.
- Learning Curve for Newcomers: Due to the many new mechanics, the game can be overwhelming at first. Even players familiar with tactical shooters need time to get used to the many hero skills and new mechanics.
- Long-term motivation: As with many free-to-play shooters, there is a concern that players’ interest may wane after the initial hype. It remains to be seen whether Fragpunk offers enough depth to build a long-lasting community.
Who should play it?
Fragpunk is obviously aimed at anyone looking for a fresh alternative in the tactical shooter genre. If you’re a fan of games like Valorant, Counter-Strike or Apex Legends, but are in the mood for something new with innovative ideas, Fragpunk might be worth a look. The combination of familiar shooter elements and the really well-made shard map mechanics offers something for both casual gamers and shooter veterans.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how long-term motivation will develop. Most recently, XDefiant impressively demonstrated that, with so much competition out there, it is no longer enough to simply combine solid shooter gameplay with a variety of heroes and hope that enough players will stick around.
