FragPunk Sneak Peek: First Look at New Character Chum and the Dongtian Map

Following the tremendous success of Marvel Rivals and the popularity of other live-service titles like Naraka: Bladepoint and Once Human, NetEase has decided to venture into the hero shooter arena with their new game, FragPunk. Developed by the newly formed Bad Guitar Studio, which comprises enthusiastic FPS fans, the game offers a fresh take on the genre. During an exclusive one-hour preview session, I had the chance to experience a new character and map firsthand, and it was immediately clear that the team’s attention to detail was meticulous.

The core of FragPunk’s offering is the 5v5 Shard Clash mode, which presents a fresh twist on the traditional hero shooter gameplay. At first glance, it might appear similar to games like Overwatch, but upon closer inspection, it blends various influences to keep the gameplay engaging. The rounds in Shard Clash are reminiscent of Counter Strike’s bomb-defusal scenarios, with one team tasked with planting bombs and the opposing team defending, all within compact arenas that ensure the action stays intense and focused.

As expected of a hero shooter, players can select from a roster of unique characters, known as Lancers, each boasting distinctive abilities. This adds layers of strategy in terms of both individual character choice and team composition. During our session, we explored Chum, a newly introduced character who is a stone robot accompanied by a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper. Chum not only has a reliable array of firearms but can also deploy projectiles akin to sticky mines and smoke grenades. Chomper, meanwhile, acts like a mobile turret, tracking and attacking foes with low-damage bites. You can even enhance Chomper with modifications that trigger an explosion or leave a smokescreen in its wake, introducing intriguing strategic possibilities.

Chum’s design as a stone robot makes him a robust defensive option, making him particularly appealing for newcomers. Several other Lancers feature abilities that are not solely aggressive but also defensive or tactical, offering options such as cover-generating walls, traps, speed boosts, and skills to reveal enemy positions. We experimented with various Lancers, each bringing distinct gameplay influences. For instance, Nitro, with her drone and turrets, excelled at generating assists, while Axon impressed with his aggressive capabilities, including projectile bombs and a unique guitar-gun. To aid player understanding, brief video clips explain each Lancer’s abilities.

What truly distinguishes FragPunk is its Shard Cards system. Every round, teams receive three random cards that they can switch out, significantly altering the rules for that round. Some cards provide straightforward stats boosts, while others enlarge enemy heads or reduce hitbox sizes, modifying headshot difficulties. Others deliver even more dramatic gameplay shifts.

One Shard Card, for example, granted our team a proximity alert, offering both audio and visual cues when enemies were nearby, while another card allowed for gradual health regeneration, providing a strategic advantage. Some cards impact the environment, like shrouding the map in fog to obscure visibility. Others have active effects, such as swapping health bars, gear, or jumping into an alternate dimension to position oneself strategically before returning to the fight.

Initially, navigating the over 150 Shard Cards might seem daunting, given the 30-second window to finalize selections each round. However, as Creative Director Xin Chang explained, “We’ve kept each card’s rules straightforward and their descriptions brief to ensure clarity.” With time, the Shard Cards system felt intuitive, introducing diverse dynamics and encouraging adaptive strategies during each round.

Interestingly, these Shard Cards drew inspiration not only from other video games but also from sports. According to Chang, the development team’s facility, equipped for sports like basketball, table tennis, and badminton, features walls adorned with photos of competitive moments. Chang elaborated, “I’m passionate about soccer and basketball, appreciating games with two-team systems. Sports often tweak rules to maintain excitement, and that concept inspired our rule-modification system.”

This sports influence also extended into the design of FragPunk’s maps. Level Designer An Yuan shared, “We divided maps into zones optimized for attack or defense, necessitating continuous player movement, akin to basketball’s varied spaces catering to different roles.” This concept, incorporated into the Shard Cards, can transform advantageous hiding spots into liabilities.

FragPunk also offers a Duel mode. When matches end in a draw, the game shifts to a one-on-one face-off, reminiscent of Call of Duty: Warzone’s Gulag, drawing inspiration from soccer’s penalty shootouts. Players face off in small but intricate arenas, with spectators adding pressure, creating a thrilling and unique tie-breaker experience. Impressed with its reception, developers have introduced Duel Master, a standalone mode focusing solely on these showdowns.

Each map boasts interactive elements that players can leverage to their advantage. In the newly revealed Dongtian map, inspired by an Asian aesthetic, bomb sites can be rotated strategically. Yuan explained this dynamic, saying, “Rotating walls let players alter the balance between attack and defense, sparking competition for control of key areas.” Other maps bring unique features as well, like BlackMarket’s controllable bridge, Akhet’s underground river for stealth movement, and Tundra’s teleportation portals for strategic repositioning.

Dongtian also serves as the backdrop for Lancer Kismet. Narrative Director Wenhe Fu mentioned that, “The game’s multiverse concept allows for diverse character backgrounds, which will be elaborated on in future updates.”

Dongtian, blending ancient Chinese architecture with futuristic elements, adds an aesthetic depth to FragPunk’s vibrant world. Art Director Yiming Li emphasized, “Our goal was to merge ancient architectural styles with modern sci-fi, reminiscent of the diverse yet cohesive civilizations found in Star Wars.”

Graphically, FragPunk shines. Its punk and sci-fi-inspired visuals deliver an alluring, vibrant experience. Every kill is a burst of color, and the maps are designed for readability. The polished menu layouts, reminiscent of Persona or Street Fighter, feature graffiti-inspired accents that add to its distinctive appeal in the hero shooter genre.

While FragPunk will launch as a free-to-play title, players start with a limited roster of Lancers, gradually unlocking more through in-game currency or optional purchases, which are strictly cosmetic. Although NetEase’s previous games like Marvel Rivals have raised pricing concerns, they have largely managed to maintain player satisfaction, which bodes well for FragPunk.

In addition to Shard Clash and Duel modes, FragPunk is set to feature various modes for both hardcore and casual players, including challenges where everyone plays as the same Lancer or engages in melee combat only. Despite the team’s professional-level expertise, it’s evident they’re committed to making the game accessible to newcomers, streamers, and their audiences alike.