FragPunk

FragPunk takes the tactical squad FPS in some strange and fun new directions, anchored by its fascinating and frequently chaos-inducing Shard Cards, but it's hurt by an overly complex web of in-game currencies and unremarkable cosmetics.

Fragpunk's bold decision to break almost every rule in the book leads to a captivating shooter.

FragPunk is launching in a strange, unbalanced state where it actively undermines its best features and doesn't quite know how to build on its own strong foundation.

In a sea of tactical shooters, Fragpunk is the one finally willing to challenge the status quo.

FragPunk is a fresh addition to the hero shooter genre, combining familiar elements with innovative mechanics. The game offers fast-paced and entertaining gameplay that will appeal to both casual players and fans of competitive titles. The six-win-round format ensures you won’t be able to tear yourself away from the game. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself laughing and saying, “Just one more—it’ll only take a second.” And then another. And another… However, aggressive monetization and the need for further polish may deter some players.

Between gameplay tempo, aesthetic, & characters, FragPunk's inherent chaos sets it apart from other hero shooters, but the cards aren't always in its favor.

FragPunk is a fun and promising tactical hero shooter with unique card mechanics that refresh gameplay each round. However, it still suffers from balance issues, confusing virtual currencies, and low server tickrate that impacts the overall experience.

FragPunk comes with a card system, a stylish look and aims to clean up the F2P sector straight away. For the most part, this works really well, as the matches remain fresh and there is never a dull moment. However, you have to be able to put up with the many microtransactions.

Fragpunk is a solid entry into the first person shooter genre. It is tough to tell whether this one will become a permanent fixture in the live service space or dissolve in the future. After 20 or so hours with this one, I am still enjoying the shard card and ranked modes. The true test of time is whether they keep changing up the formula, characters and weaponry to keep the appeal. If I had to explain this game in my own words it would be along the lines of CSGO and Valorant with its own unique twist. With the game being completely free to play on consoles and PC, it is well worth a try if you’re into your hero shooters or anything FPS related. I really struggled with crossplay on due to PC players potentially having faster reaction times, but there is the option to switch this off. As with any live service game, be prepared to spend a bit if you fancy some nicer skins or even unlocking features a bit quicker. Overall though, it is a shooter that is brings hours of fun if it hooks you in with the round based objective play.

FragPunk from developer Bad Guitar Studio has a lot going on, most of which is positive. The game is easy to jump into, there are a variety of modes to play to keep the gameplay fresh, and the game just looks and feels cool. Not all of it is gold, but it’s certainly close.