Key things
- FragPunk's unique card-based mechanics offer variety and randomness that sets it apart from other hero shooters.
- FragPunk's closed beta will run from October 10th to October 21st, allowing more players to access the game across multiple platforms.
- New playable characters like Sonar and Spider, along with strategic Shard Cards, add depth and complexity to FragPunk.
The ongoing Tokyo Game Show 2024 was supposed to reveal more about NetEase Games' upcoming hero shooter FragPunkincluding a plan for further closed beta testing of the game. The FragPunk the trailer also dropped information about new playable Shard Cards coming to the test, as well as two other playable characters.
Despite some gaming audience fatigue from the seeming glut of new hero shooters entering the market, FragPunk It seems to be garnering some attention for its innovative mechanics based on card games. In addition to unique tricks, each playable character of “Lancer” can control, FragPunk Shard Card abilities allow for a level of variety and randomness that could surpass other games of the same genre. Some card abilities range from relatively mundane power-ups like incendiary ammo to cards that can change the layout of the level, flip areas, and deny enemies terrain advantage. The system could help set up FragPunk apart from its competition.
With a new trailer aired during TGS 2024, NetEase Games and developer Bad Guitar shed more light on the next FragPunk closed beta. According to the beta FAQ on the official site, FragPunk the closed beta will be on October 10, 2024 and will run until October 21 on PC via Steam and Xbox Series X|S. Players can sign up through Steam or the Xbox Insider Hub app on their respective platforms. The new closed beta test will be open to a wider range of players in more regions and languages, opening up the pool for more fun. The team also outlined two new playable Lancers that were added to the closed beta roster: Spider and Sonar.
FragPunk Closed Beta Trailer Details on new cards, playable heroes Sonar and Spider
The FragPunk the closed beta trailer outlined several new cards that underscore the strategic nature of the Shard Card system. Some cards can be countered by others, such as when a Flashlight card's flashbang-like screen blackout effect is countered by a Goggles card, greatly reducing the effect and duration of such flash effects. Another card, Blade Master, can block bullets coming from the front, and when combined with the Turtleback card, can offer almost impenetrable defense against attacks from both the front and back.
The trailer also detailed two new playable Lancers: Sonar and Spider. With a sea animal inspired design that also makes it look a bit like a World of Warcraft Draenei, Sonar can locate enemies and hide his teammates by masking their movement noise. Spider appears to have the ability to warp himself or other players, giving him the ability to set up deadly traps and ambushes.
Despite its innovative mechanics and distinct visual identity, FragPunk may have an uphill battle for attention against the competitors who are saturating the hero shooter market in 2024. This year, players are practically flooded with high-quality hero shooters from the revived Overwatch 2to branded titles like Marvel Rivals, and heavily supported favorites Valiant. Time and testing will tell if FragPunk it can get the attention it needs to sustain itself in the long run.
