Bad Guitar Studio is taking its shot at the competitive hero shooter genre with FragPunk. The game is currently in closed beta and shows promising potential while still needing plenty of polish. Shown during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, you jump into a colourful 5v5 environment where you must strategize with your chosen Lancer and outwit the enemy team with both skill and luck.
The hero shooter genre is crowded, look what happened to Concord. With big names like Overwatch and Valorant, FragPunk sets itself apart with its Shard Card system. This mechanic adds unpredictable twists to each match. From adding environmental changes to boosting damage, the Shard Cards make every battle unique. However, the game has its fair share of glitches and balancing issues that could affect its longevity if not addressed. Let’s take a look at the FragPunk closed beta and see what it’s all about.
Chaotic Gameplay with a Party-Like Twist
In the several hours I spent in the FragPunk closed beta, the gunplay really stood out. The game allows for quick movement and sharp aim, keeping the action constantly in motion. I found the controls smooth, responsive, and easy to adjust to, even during the chaos of some of the more intense game modes.
The closed beta offers access to several modes, but the one I kept coming back to was Shard Clash. It’s a familiar attack-and-defend setup, where the attacking team must plant a Converter and defend it while the other team tries to stop the plant. In one match, my team was pinned down by a well-placed trap that blocked an entire lane. The pressure of breaking through while watching for enemy snipers made the experience tense yet oh so satisfying.
However, the game’s map design has its downsides. Many maps are narrow, and teams that control choke points with traps or well-coordinated abilities can dominate the match. The lack of variety in map layouts can make the gameplay feel repetitive after a while, but the current beta does offer six maps with enough variation to keep things fresh, for now.
Shard Cards: A Game-Changer or Frustrating Gamble?
As I mentioned earlier, one of the most distinctive elements of FragPunk is its Shard Card system. This mechanic allows you to unlock cards that can change the rules of the match, adding new layers of unpredictability. You earn points during matches that you can spend on these cards, which range from minor stat boosts to game-altering environmental effects. One of my favourite moments was when I used the Cloaking Plant card, covering the map in tall grass, turning an open battlefield into a stealthy hide-and-seek.
But this system comes with a downside: randomness. Shard Cards are drawn at random, and their effects can be wildly different from one match to the next. You might go from having an advantage one round to dealing with overpowered enemy cards the next. This can make things feel inconsistent. In ranked modes, you can ban certain cards, which adds a strategic element, but in casual matches, you’re at the mercy of luck.
Another issue I noticed was that some cards cause glitches that affect gameplay. In one match it was impossible to see enemies. These types of bugs in the FragPunk closed beta can give unfair advantages, something the developers will need to address before launch.
Lancers: Fun Abilities, Forgettable Faces
You choose from a roster of 12 Lancers, each with unique abilities that cater to different playstyles. Whether you prefer sniping from a distance or going invisible to flank your enemies, there’s a Lancer for you. My go-to was Zephyr, whose invisibility ability made for some satisfying ambushes.
While the abilities themselves are fun and add depth to the combat, the Lancers’ personalities and designs feel lacking. Unlike memorable characters from games like Overwatch or Valorant, none of the FragPunk Lancers left a lasting impression on me. Their voice lines are minimal, and the game doesn’t offer any background or lore to make them stand out. In a hero shooter, this lack of personality could hurt player engagement in the long run.
Another downside I encountered was how the visual effects from Lancer abilities often cluttered the screen. In tight maps, the combination of explosions, smoke, and energy beams made some gunfights feel overwhelming, and not in a good way. It’s fun when abilities change the dynamic of a fight, but not when you can’t even see what’s going on.
Performance Issues
While FragPunk shows a lot of potential, its current beta is far from polished. I experienced frequent frame rate drops, especially during the opening sequences.
More frustrating were the crashes. I was kicked out of matches multiple times, sometimes right in the middle of the match. During one gameplay session, I was sent back to the home screen four times within an hour because of the game crashing. Yes, these issues are to be expected in a beta, but it almost made me not want to play.
One gameplay design flaw that stood out to me is how the game handled players who disconnected. Even after the last enemy player left, you have to sit through the remaining time before the match officially ends. It’s a small thing, but in a competitive game, it adds unnecessary downtime.
The FragPunk Closed Beta Shows a Game with Potential That Still Has a Lot of Work Ahead of It
FragPunk has a lot going for it. The gunplay in the FragPunk closed beta was fast and satisfying, the Shard Card system adds a layer of unpredictability, and the game modes keep things engaging. But it’s clear that the game still has a lot of work ahead of it. Performance issues, uninspired Lancer designs, and random glitches takeaway from what could be a standout shooter.
That said, I’m excited to see where Bad Guitar Studio takes the game. If they can iron out the bugs, balance the Shard Cards, and inject more personality into the Lancers, FragPunk could carve out a place for itself in the crowded hero shooter genre. For now, it’s a fun beta with potential, but not quite ready to frag with the big leagues. FragPunk will be free to play and is currently being developed for PC and Xbox scheduled to launch in 2025.
Do you think FragPunk’s Shard Cards system will give it the edge it needs in the crowded hero shooter market? Let us know your thoughts!
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