After years of anticipation and a temporary beta phase, FragPunk has finally been released in full. As someone who closely followed the game’s development, I was extremely excited for its launch. However, when I visited its Steam page to download this free-to-play shooter, my excitement was quickly dampened by its Mixed reviews.
The beta version was creative and had some interesting mechanics for a shooter, so I didn’t expect the final release to receive such mixed feedback. Despite this, I decided to judge it for myself rather than rely on other people’s opinions. I wanted to see whether the game had truly declined since the beta or if the negativity was exaggerated.
First Impressions: A Visually Exciting and Energetic Experience
As soon as I launched the game, I was greeted by a stylish and engaging shooter. While discussing it with friends and reading online reviews, I noticed a trend—no one agreed that FragPunk had a truly original idea.
- Some players compared it to Apex Legends
- Others said it felt like Valorant
- A few mentioned Counter-Strike
- And, surprisingly, one person even compared it to League of Legends
On social media, Steam groups, and gaming forums, the game has been heavily criticized, and yet, FragPunk currently has over 60,000 active players.
Regardless of the comparisons, I wanted this review to be completely unbiased. Whether it resembles other games or not doesn’t matter as much as how fun and engaging it actually is.
1. Eye-Catching Presentation
Two things stand out immediately when you enter the game:
- Its loud, high-energy soundtrack
- Its bright, vibrant colors
This creates an exciting atmosphere that perfectly matches its fast-paced gameplay, something I’ll discuss in more detail later.
2. A Refreshing Contrast to Other Shooters
Compare this main menu to the menus of Call of Duty or Counter-Strike—those games often have dull, gray, or dark color palettes with low-energy music (or, in Battlefield’s case, sad and dramatic tones).
Of course, this doesn’t mean those games are bad—it’s simply a different artistic direction. But FragPunk immediately sets itself apart by embracing a bold, colorful, and energetic aesthetic that makes a strong first impression.
Gameplay: A Hybrid of Tactical and Hero Shooter Elements
At its core, FragPunk blends elements of a Tactical Shooter with a Hero Shooter, a double-edged sword that serves as both a strength and a weakness.
1. Tactical Shooting Meets Hero Abilities
- Players choose a character, each with unique abilities, before entering the match.
- These abilities allow you to alter the game in various ways, potentially turning the tide in your favor.
2. The Problem: Is FragPunk a Hero Shooter or Not?
Here’s where the confusion starts—FragPunk seems unsure whether it wants to be a Hero Shooter or not.
- Each character has abilities, but their impact is very limited.
- Unlike Valorant or Overwatch, you can only use abilities a few times per match, not just based on cooldowns but also on usage limits.
3. Are These Abilities Effective?
The best way to describe them? “Weak.”
- Do they affect the game? Yes.
- Can they single-handedly decide a match? No.
- In a game like Valorant, a well-timed ability can win a round.
- In FragPunk, you only get limited uses of your abilities, and even when you do use them, they rarely feel game-changing.
Some players like this design choice, arguing that it keeps the game more skill-based rather than ability-dependent.
The Real Issue: It Looks Like a Hero Shooter, But Plays Like a Tactical Shooter
If you expect FragPunk to play like a traditional Hero Shooter, you’ll be in for a surprise.
1. Combat is Fast and Brutal
- In Tactical Shooters like Counter-Strike, fights end in seconds—this is also true for FragPunk.
- Unlike Overwatch or Valorant, you don’t engage in extended battles using a combination of shooting and abilities.
- Instead, most fights last just a few shots.
2. This Creates a Weird Expectation Gap
- Everything about FragPunk’s marketing, characters, and visuals suggests it’s a Hero Shooter.
- But once you start playing, you realize it plays like a Tactical Shooter instead.
- This disconnect might be why some players feel misled.
Does this ruin the game? Not at all.
In fact, this unique identity makes FragPunk stand out—but only if you embrace it for what it is.
Shard System: The Best Part of FragPunk’s Gameplay
One of the coolest mechanics in FragPunk is its Shard System—something we’ve seen before in games like Friends vs. Friends, but taken to a whole new level.
1. How the Shard System Works
- Players collect “Shard Points” during a match by surviving, finding items, and killing enemies.
- At the end of each round, you spend Shard Points to choose one of three random Shards that can alter the next round’s gameplay.
- These Shards range from minor tweaks to game-changing abilities.
2. Examples of Shards
- Explosive Bullets – Your shots now explode, dealing extra damage.
- Guard Dog Companion – Each player gets a pet dog that attacks enemies.
- Remove All Guns – Forces both teams to fight only with melee weapons for one round.
This dynamic system adds a layer of unpredictability, making every match feel fresh and exciting.
Major Downsides: Microtransactions and Overcomplicated Currency
1. Nine Different In-Game Currencies? Seriously?
One of FragPunk’s biggest flaws is its monetization system.
- The game has nine different types of in-game currency, each used for different things.
- This creates confusion, especially for new players who have no idea what each currency does.
2. Overwhelming Menus and UI
- The menus feel cluttered, making it hard to navigate.
- There’s an overload of customization options, which can be overwhelming rather than exciting.
Final Verdict: Is FragPunk Worth Playing?
Pros
✔ Fast-paced, exciting gameplay
✔ The Shard System adds depth and unpredictability
✔ Vibrant, energetic art style and music
✔ Feels unique despite similarities to other shooters
Cons
❌ Hero abilities feel weak and limited
❌ It looks like a Hero Shooter but plays like a Tactical Shooter
❌ Microtransactions and in-game currency system are messy
❌ Mixed reception due to misleading expectations
Conclusion: A Fun Game With an Identity Crisis
FragPunk is not the best Hero Shooter, nor the best Tactical Shooter—but it blends both in an interesting way.
If you go in expecting a Hero Shooter, you might be disappointed.
If you go in expecting a Tactical Shooter with some unique twists, you’ll probably have a blast.
Will it remain popular? Hard to say. It’s a live-service game, and with constant updates, it could evolve into something even better. But if the monetization issues aren’t addressed, keeping its player base engaged long-term might be a challenge.
