Exciting Developments in the Hero Shooter Genre
With the remarkable success of titles like Marvel Rivals, and other popular live-service games such as Naraka: Bladepoint and Once Human, NetEase is now diving into the hero shooter genre with their upcoming game, FragPunk. Developed by the fresh internal team, Bad Guitar Studio, which comprises passionate FPS enthusiasts, we recently had an exclusive one-hour play session where we explored a brand-new character and map. The attention to detail from the development team is truly impressive.
Introducing Shard Clash: A Unique Game Mode
FragPunk features a primary game mode called Shard Clash, which sets itself apart from the typical hero shooter framework. While it appears similar to Overwatch-style skirmishes, Shard Clash introduces gameplay mechanics reminiscent of classic bomb-defusal modes found in Counter-Strike. Here, one team plants bombs at designated locations while the other team defends, all set within compact arenas that promote intense and focused rounds.
Meet Chum: The Newest Lancer Character
Players in FragPunk can select from a diverse roster of characters known as Lancers, each equipped with unique abilities that add depth to both personal play styles and team composition. In our session, we had the chance to try Chum, an intriguing stone robot accompanied by a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper. Chum wields an impressive arsenal of guns and can deploy projectiles similar to sticky mines and smoke grenades. Moreover, Chomper can attack enemies, offering strategic advantages such as low-damage bites or modifications that create explosive encounters or smokescreens, enhancing tactical options during gameplay.
Defensive and Tactical Gameplay
Chum’s stone composition makes him a formidable defensive character, ideal for newcomers. Many other Lancers offer a mix of offensive, defensive, and tactical abilities, including cover walls, traps, speed boosts, and enemy highlight skills. During our play, we experimented with various Lancers, each significantly impacting gameplay. Nitro, featuring a controllable drone and gun turrets, allowed us to rack up assists, while Axon, with his aggressive skill set, became another favorite due to his explosive weaponry and unique guitar-gun. The Lancer selection screen also includes brief video clips for each ability, streamlining the learning process for players.
Innovative Shard Cards System
What truly distinguishes FragPunk is its Shard Cards system. At the beginning of each round, teams receive a random selection of three cards that can be swapped in and out, effectively altering the rules for the entire team. These cards range from simple stat boosts to more imaginative effects, such as resizing enemy heads or modifying headshot difficulty.
For instance, one card equipped our team with a proximity detector, alerting us to nearby enemies, while another card provided health regeneration. Some cards even impact the environment, reducing visibility with fog or enabling unusual mechanics like swapping health bars with opponents or transitioning into a parallel world for stealth maneuvers.
Adapting Strategies for Every Round
The Shard Cards system keeps players on their toes, demanding quick thinking and adaptive strategies as they respond to both their team’s cards and the enemy team’s hand. Creative Director Xin Chang emphasized the importance of simplicity in card rules, enabling players to grasp their effects rapidly.
Interestingly, the concept behind the Shard Cards draws inspiration not only from video games but also from sports. The development team’s workspace includes a gymnasium with facilities for various sports, fostering a competitive spirit that informs their game design.
Engaging Duel Mode and Unique Map Mechanics
FragPunk also introduces a Duel mode for matches that end in a tie, reminiscent of Call of Duty: Warzone’s Gulag but inspired by soccer penalty shootouts. Players engage in one-on-one confrontations, with teammates spectating, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
One of the maps we explored, Dongtian, showcases the developers’ creativity with interactive elements. This Asian-themed map features rotating bomb sites that players can manipulate to gain tactical advantages. Level Designer An Yuan explained that these rotating walls encourage players to fight for control and strategically navigate the battlefield.
Distinctive Map Features and Aesthetic
Each map in FragPunk presents unique interactive features. For example, the BlackMarket map includes a controllable bridge that alters the layout, while Akhet offers underground pathways for sneaky maneuvers. Dongtian, set against a backdrop of ancient Eastern architecture, merges traditional elements with futuristic design, adding a captivating aesthetic to the game’s colorful world.
Art Director Yiming Li highlighted the intention to blend cultural influences with the sci-fi theme, creating a cohesive visual style that resonates throughout the game.
Visual Appeal and Accessibility
FragPunk boasts a stunning visual presentation, characterized by a vibrant punk and sci-fi aesthetic. The maps are designed for clarity, allowing players to easily follow the action, and even the menus feature a stylish layout reminiscent of popular franchises.
The game will be free-to-play, with a limited selection of Lancers available at launch, allowing players to gradually unlock more through gameplay or microtransactions. Cosmetic purchases will be optional, with hopes that the service model will maintain player satisfaction, similar to previous NetEase titles.
In addition to Shard Clash and Duel modes, FragPunk will include various gameplay modes catering to both hardcore and casual players, ensuring accessibility for newcomers and competitive players alike. The development team’s commitment to inclusivity is evident, aiming to create an engaging experience for all types of gamers.
