Summary
- FragPunk's closed beta is open for sign-ups on Xbox Insider Program and Steam.
- Shard Cards in FragPunk bring unique gameplay elements.
- FragPunk offers 5v5 matches, new heroes like Sonar and Spider, diverse weapons, and cards for strategic gameplay.
Members of the Xbox Insider Program can sign up for FragPunk's Closed Beta now. Gamers have expressed general fatigue surrounding hero shooter games, but that hasn't stopped NetEase subsidiary Bad Guitar Studio from going all-in on FragPunk, which comes right around the corner after another NetEase hero shooter, Marvel Rivals, launched its beta.
FragPunk was announced during the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, showing off Bad Guitar Studio's inspired new take on the hero shooter subgenre of FPS games. FragPunk shows similarities to Brainwash Gang's 2023 card-based shooter title Friends vs Friends. However, FragPunk appears to be offering more to do, with an increased player count compared to the Friends vs Friends limit of 3v3 matches, as well as a dedicated competitive scene. As development on FragPunk continues, its closed beta nears.
NetEase Games Preview: Marvel Rivals, Once Human, FragPunk, and Rusty Rabbit
The Best War Games previews an upcoming selection of games from NetEase: Marvel Rivals, Once Human, FragPunk, and Rusty Rabbit.
The closed beta for FragPunk is now available for sign-up in the Xbox Insider program and on Steam. Fragpunk's closed beta will begin in October and the team of developers at Bad Guitar has expressed excitement at expanding the game's pool of players. Xbox Insider users can join the beta by going to the previews tab of the Xbox Insider Program menu and selecting FragPunk as it appears. Previously, gamers in North America got a chance to try out FragPunk's closed alpha, and the potential jump in player count could give Bad Guitar insight into more player behavior and necessary tweaks.
Xbox Insiders Get Access To FragPunk Closed Beta
With its unique Shard Cards that change up gameplay, FragPunk has a chance to set itself apart from many of its contemporaries in the hero shooter genre of games. Bad Guitar has stated that matches are expected to last about two and a half minutes, so there's a chance that Shard Cards will drastically impact the outcome of matches instead of just being something to spice the game up. Cards like Blade Master, which blocks oncoming bullets from the front, appear to be particularly advantageous.
In addition to Shard Cards, Fragpunk' s heroes add to the potential for strategy. Newly announced FragPunk characters like Sonar and Spider have enemy tracking and setting traps divided into their respective toolkits, compared to characters like Overwatch's Widowmaker, who could accomplish all of those tasks at once. Having characters with limited, but still useful abilities is one way of directing players towards figuring out how to best use Shard Cards. Although there's plenty of speculation surrounding FragPunk's gameplay and how much these variables matter, people will have the chance to try the game out quite soon.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 56%
- Released
- March 6, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Bad Guitar Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Bad Guitar Studio
WHERE TO PLAY
FragPunk is a fast-paced 5v5 hero shooter with powerup cards that change the rules of each round! Choose your hero, your weapons, and pick from a selection of cards that dramatically change the rules of engagement!
Bend the rules with Shard Cards!
No two rounds of FragPunk are ever the same. Discover over 70 Shard Cards with an activatable selection that changes every round creating new and unique combinations that create infinite possibilities! Cards can amplify your jump height, reverse the roles of attackers and defenders, engulf your bullets in flame or turn them into chain lightning, and even may resurrect you and your team!
Frantic 5v5 Hero Shooter!
Each round lasts about 2.5 minutes, so get a move on! The short TTK means you have to aim well and react fast to win the fight. Pick between 10 heroes with diverse abilities, customize your weapon combination, choose your cards and get ready for a fight!
Variety that fuels replayability
Pick your favorite hero from a selection of 10, each with their own unique abilities. Find your favorite guns among the 15 available, some which have special abilities, like shooting faster over time, bursts and more! Discover new hero, weapon and card combinations and develop your personal combat style!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Action, FPS, Multiplayer
