FragPunk is a yet-to-be-released 5v5 FPS game from Bad Guitar Studio where street style characters and wacky cards control the battlefield. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Everything We Know About FragPunk
FragPunk Story Plot
Not much has been revealed about FragPunk’s story, plot, or premise, although a colorful cast of playable characters and immersive rotating maps have been showcased. Considering the reputation of other hero shooters like Overwatch, Valorant, and Paladins, additional world-building and characterization may be on the horizon for FragPunk.
FragPunk Gameplay
FragPunk is a 5v5 hero shooter that lets its players change the modifiers of a stage in the middle of a game by playing cards. With over 70 cards, there’s no telling what will happen next in the middle of a gunfight.
Gravity can shift, walls can be destroyed, grass can be spawned, and heads can be doubled depending on the card played. FragPunk also has much faster rounds than your typical hero shooter, with each round of a matchup lasting two and a half minutes at most.
Of course, the star of every hero shooter is its cast of playable characters, of which there are 10 in FragPunk. Although no abilities have been shown yet, the game’s official store pages have promised a diverse selection of abilities to accompany 15 unique guns.
FragPunk Release Date
As was announced during the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, FragPunk will be released for the PC (Steam) and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2025. An exact release date and time is yet to be announced but we’ll update this article with new information as it comes out!
FragPunk Review [Closed Beta]
Promising Street Style Pandemonium!
2024 is shaping up to be the year of breakout FPS titles with fresh visuals and innovative mechanics. Earlier this year, we saw Deadlock and Marvel Rivals bring a MOBA twist to the genre, and while it might not come from a powerhouse like Valve, FragPunk certainly made as bold an entrance.
During the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, FragPunk turned heads with its striking art direction and unique card-based mechanics. But how well did those promises translate into actual gameplay? Luckily, I got to experience it firsthand during the closed beta. Here's what I discovered while roaming the graffiti-adorned streets of FragPunk.
First things first, this game is overflowing with style. Every element—design, construction, even the daily rewards, settings screens, and player inventory menus—is infused with a gritty blend of street-style, punk, and sci-fi aesthetics. Everything in FragPunk is visually striking, from top to bottom, and that’s what sets it apart from other titles. Its design identity is not only strong but also well-executed, making the game impossible to mistake for anything else, especially when you factor in the character designs.
Now, full disclosure: FragPunk doesn’t exactly shine when it comes to unique character silhouettes. All characters shown so far are just guys or gals in different gear that hints at their role or specialty, and in the heat of battle, it's tough to tell who you’re up against during those split-second corner peeks.
In comparison, Deadlock boasts a far more visually diverse and interesting cast, with hulking tanks and tiny flankers. That said, while FragPunk may not be breaking new ground here, the character designs do an impressive job of making standard human models look dynamic and stylish.
Each character brings their own swagger to the table, ensuring they don’t completely blend into the game’s equally chaotic stage design. Take Broker, who’s all about the money, or Axon, who looks like a Borderlands psycho that had a makeover at a GTA Pay ‘n’ Spray. Both designs work for their characters and mesh perfectly with their respective kits. Broker is basic but stylish, and Axon is very in-your-face with his grenades and shotgun guitar.
Speaking of kits and gameplay, FragPunk doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it’s a hero shooter through and through, in a vein similar to Valorant. Guns and abilities are equally important, but unlike Deadlock, there’s no ability leveling or unlocking as the match progresses. And unlike Valorant, there are no ultimates to charge.
Instead, abilities are there to enhance gunplay rather than operate as standalone tideturners. The weapons, which are shared among all characters (called "Lancers"), are selected via a CS: GO-style shop system, though there’s no currency involved—just a limited number of uses per gun across multiple rounds. Use a gun too often while dying repeatedly and, poof, no more uses, and you’re forced to adapt your approach for the next round.
The game does have a currency system of sorts, centered around its Shard Card System. This mechanic lets players spend Shard Points at the start of each round to purchase cards that can significantly impact gameplay. Each card acts as a modifier, applying bonuses or effects to your team or the stage. These bonuses range from extra health and increased movement speed to more chaotic twists like site-wide scans or turning every door on the map bulletproof for a round.
Players earn Shard Points by performing well in the game, and they can pool these points with their teammates to purchase cards collectively. This system keeps each match fresh and unpredictable, adding a layer of variety that pairs perfectly with the ability to switch Lancers and loadouts between rounds.
Altogether, these mechanics create a relentless, high-octane experience that bombards you with vibrant colors and intense firefights, keeping you on the edge of your seat until you finally manage to tear yourself away. It’s captivating, exhilarating, and, in most respects, genuinely fun—and it’s still only in beta.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that FragPunk will be an instant hit when it fully releases. It’s not quite packing the same punch as other big-name hero shooters or MOBAs on the horizon. But as a proof of concept? FragPunk has blown my expectations out of the water with its sheer street-style pandemonium. I can’t wait for it to come out soon, but if I must, there are other titles that I won’t mind playing to bide the time.
There’s So Much Content in this Closed Beta Playtest
For a closed beta, FragPunk is absolutely packed with content. The game already boasts a fully functioning weapon customization system, a sticker gacha, daily rewards, 12 unique Lancers, a variety of maps and game modes, over 100 Shard Cards, a robust tutorial, unlockable cosmetics, animated banners for each Lancer, and even a battle pass (which I’ll get into shortly).
There’s so much to explore that it’s hard to believe the beta could run long enough for me to dive into it all, even if I played non-stop. Seriously, this is one of those rare betas that gives you nearly the full experience before the game is even officially out. Even Deadlock didn’t have this much at first.
Healthy Variety of Game Modes
FragPunk might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to game modes, but it certainly offers a wide variety. If you're a fan of site-based, attacker-defender setups like in Valorant or Counter-Strike, you’ll feel right at home. Prefer a more straightforward, no-objectives, all-out brawl? FragPunk has that too.
For those looking to play competitively, there’s a ranked mode. If you want to test out new Lancers or hone your skills in a controlled environment, there's a practice facility. You can even challenge yourself in an AI Mode or pass the time by duking it out with other players while waiting in the queue. No matter your playstyle, FragPunk has something to offer everyone, and I can only imagine what else is in store in the future.
Yet Another Battle Pass to Yawn About
Unfortunately, while FragPunk strives to stand out with its unique visuals and inventive mechanics, it falls into a familiar trap when it comes to monetization. My excitement dimmed a little when I spotted yet another battle pass waiting in the main menu. Now, I’m not saying this will make or break the game, but it’s a bit disheartening to see the same old system being used.
That said, battle passes aren’t inherently bad, and there are some silver linings. For one, this likely means FragPunk will be free-to-play unless there’s some bizarre scenario where neither the game nor its battle pass is worth the money. A free-to-play model makes the game more accessible, which is great for attracting players, and the battle pass provides a way for the devs to earn revenue without forcing players to shell out for pay-to-win advantages.
Let’s just hope the devs don’t follow in the footsteps of Rainbow Six: Siege and turn an otherwise reasonable monetization model into a source of frustration for the player base.
The Game’s Biggest Draw Isn’t Front and Center
Another downside to FragPunk lies in how it handles one of its most hyped features: the Shard Card System. This mechanic was what drew in players, offering the promise of dynamic, unpredictable rounds where the battlefield could be altered on a whim without sacrificing tactical depth. The cards are present and competently implemented, but they don’t feel as impactful or central to the gameplay as expected.
Some card effects are too bland to make a noticeable difference, while others are so wild that they lack the nuance needed for more strategic play. It feels like the system, while promising, needs a bit of balancing to shine. It's not about fixing something broken—it’s more about presenting a great idea in a way that does it justice. A few tweaks could elevate the Shard Card System from a fun concept to a truly game-changing experience that everyone’s been expecting.
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FragPunk Product Information
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| Title | FragPunk |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Developer | Compulsion Games |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | FragPunk Website |
