FragPunk

FragPunk stands out in the genre for its creative, reality-altering twist on familiar mechanics. Though I wish it leaned further into its unique aesthetic, it still distinguishes itself from the crowd and is absolutely worth trying.

76%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

monetization, grinding

75% User Score Based on 28,926 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

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About

FragPunk is the new free-to-play 5v5 hero shooter poised to break the rules of combat. What makes FragPunk different is the introduction of Shard Cards that can affect the playing field for all players. Shard Cards are voted on by players before each round and can change the entire playing field – from making player’s heads big to your team into zombies when you are downed. FragPunk has a low barr…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+12

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 28,926 reviews

gameplay1.6k positive mentions

monetization332 negative mentions

Fragpunk features a vibrant, cyberpunk-inspired art style that many players find visually stunning and reminiscent of popular animated series like 'Arcane' and 'Spider-Verse'.
The gameplay is fast-paced and dynamic, with an innovative shard card system that keeps each round fresh and engaging.
Despite criticisms of monetization, many players appreciate the free-to-play model and the ability to earn rewards through gameplay, making it accessible for casual players.

The game's monetization system has been criticized for being overly aggressive and reminiscent of predatory mobile game practices, leading to a cluttered user interface and excessive microtransactions.
Many players report significant performance issues, including crashes, frame drops, and a lack of optimization, particularly on older hardware.
The character designs and story have been described as generic and uninspired, lacking depth and meaningful engagement, which detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
3,494 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
51%
4%
The gameplay of "Fragpunk" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced, dynamic mechanics and the innovative shard card system that alters gameplay each round, providing a fresh experience. However, criticisms focus on issues such as slow movement, clunky mechanics, and a convoluted monetization system filled with multiple currencies and gacha elements, which some feel detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the core gameplay is often described as fun and engaging, balancing issues and the overwhelming presence of microtransactions have left some players feeling frustrated.
- “It's like Valorant except significantly less toxic + the game-altering mechanics are pretty engaging.”
- “The gameplay is a great blend of casual and competitive (thanks to movement speed).”
- “The shard card mechanic is a good way to keep players focused every round.”
- “Worst Valorant copy ever with like 8 different currencies, ugly characters (some), no personalities (wow a mechanic girl says 'refill' instead of 'reload' and that makes her unique????????), unfair powers especially in a ranked game (you can shoot through walls with a scythe, deflect every bullet with a sword and call that balanced??), no actual rewards for playing the game, you get to level 60 and all you receive is some common skins and few gacha pulls...”
- “Terrible gameplay, balance is way off.”
- “Dreadful game - clunky poor mechanics and the card system is completely ridiculous.”
graphics
1,660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics of "Fragpunk" have received mixed reviews, with many praising its vibrant, cyberpunk-inspired art style reminiscent of "Arcane" and "Spider-Verse." Players appreciate the game's colorful visuals and smooth performance, noting that it runs well even on lower-end hardware. However, some critiques highlight issues with visual clutter and the potential use of AI-generated artwork, leading to concerns about originality and overall aesthetic coherence.
- “The art style reminds me of Arcane/Spiderverse, which I really love.”
- “Fragpunk is a masterpiece in many ways, with a unique art style that's both visually stunning and eerily captivating.”
- “The graphics are stunning and the controls are smooth like butter.”
- “Genuinely feels like a weird amalgam of all of the worst shooter trends with a weirdly awful art style and menu design.”
- “The graphics are very ugly in my opinion.”
- “The graphics, which many thought would be a highlight, are underwhelming at best.”
monetization
1,374 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
65%
24%
The monetization in the game has received significant criticism for being overly aggressive and reminiscent of predatory mobile game practices, with numerous microtransactions, multiple currencies, and a cluttered user interface. While some players appreciate the free-to-play model and the ability to earn rewards through gameplay, many feel that the monetization tactics detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a cash grab. Despite the controversy, some users argue that the game remains enjoyable and that the monetization is optional, primarily focusing on cosmetic items rather than pay-to-win elements.
- “Monetization, while excessive and overwhelming, is completely optional and doesn't sacrifice competitive integrity.”
- “Microtransactions are everyone's worry nowadays, but it's free and they give you plenty of rewards just by simply playing and leveling up your classes while also leaving the option for unique skins for purchase that aren't crazy expensive.”
- “Despite all the microtransactions, it's a unique concept for a shooter, the gunplay is really smooth, and the art style is cool and vibrant.”
- “It’s a predatory mobile game scam—unlocking a lancer takes 35 hours or a fat wallet, and the menus are a cluttered nightmare of pop-ups and ads.”
- “The monetization of this game is grossly mishandled and feels like it only serves to get you to spend spend spend.”
- “The sheer amount of microtransactions and the excessive grind to unlock characters for free makes it feel more frustrating than rewarding.”
optimization
678 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
36%
6%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players praising its performance and smooth gameplay, especially on modern hardware, while others report significant issues such as crashes, frame drops, and poor netcode. Overall, while some users find it well-optimized for a variety of systems, particularly for a new title, others express frustration over its performance on older machines and the need for further improvements.
- “Considering the graphics fidelity, it's very optimized and runs well.”
- “The game is well optimized, and each round feels unique, but the shooting overall feels like it's running at 30 ticks, movement is similar to Apex.”
- “Fragpunk is a well optimized and fun 5v5 tactical shooter, I've read the comments and most of the complaining was about the currency system and how being hard to get them heroes.”
- “Optimization’s decent, but bugs crash it hard—two patches since launch ain’t cutting it.”
- “The game itself is horribly unoptimized; people running 3080's have to play on low/medium, which is insane considering the game doesn't even look all that great.”
- “First things first, let me tell you about Fragpunk: this game is one of the biggest jokes of all time and I could never recommend this piece of garbage to another living human being. Fragpunk is one of the worst optimized games of all time; the dev team is a joke, with FPS drops 24/7 and internet connection issues that are among the worst I've ever seen.”
humor
216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and others describing it as cringe-worthy or outdated. The card system introduces chaotic and humorous elements, leading to unpredictable and entertaining gameplay moments, though some voice lines and character interactions may feel forced or repetitive. Overall, while the humor can be hit or miss, many players appreciate the lighthearted chaos it brings to the experience.
- “If you've ever dreamed of diving into a neon-soaked dystopia where chaos meets comedy, fragpunk is your ticket to digital mayhem—with a side of rewards that’ll make your wallet (and your sense of humor) do a double-take.”
- “We were just laughing our asses off just cause how absurd the cards were, and this game gave me that experience again.”
- “The chaos of every round is hilarious.”
- “The announcer is obnoxious and not funny at all; I muted the announcer as soon as I could.”
character development
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant and unique character designs, while others criticize them as generic or uninspired. Many players appreciate the visual style and animations, but feel that the characters lack depth and engaging personalities, often comparing them unfavorably to those in other popular titles like Overwatch and Apex Legends. Overall, while the character designs are visually appealing, their impact on gameplay and player connection appears to be limited.
- “The visuals are stunning, and the character designs are unique and stylish.”
- “Character designs are stylish, with each hero boasting distinct visual elements that make them recognizable on the battlefield.”
- “The character designs and abilities are so unique and cool!”
- “This makes the character designs, abilities, and maps feel soulless to me.”
- “The character designs are unity asset flip levels of basic, the monetization is more predatory than Apex or Valorant, and the main gimmick, shard cards, are just stat increases - none of them actually drastically impact the fundamental way the game is played like the trailers showed.”
- “Don't even waste your time with this grind. The character designs are all what we've come to expect from 'hero with kit' standards, and they don't do anything to make me go 'oh I love this character, they're my main now.' Plus, you must unlock new characters which is an automatic turn off for me.”
grinding
194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
9%
90%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the process of unlocking characters and cosmetics excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant hours of play. While some appreciate the generous rewards for casual play and the potential for long-term engagement, others criticize the numerous currencies and the overall grindiness, likening it to a part-time job. Overall, players suggest that improvements in progression speed and character unlock mechanics are necessary for a more enjoyable experience.
- “Characters are not too hard to get, and it's not grindy.”
- “People loved the beta’s flow, now they’re bailing because it’s a grindy, unbalanced slog.”
- “But the grind to unlock just one character feels unnecessarily tedious.”
- “Unlocking characters is nearly impossible without opening your wallet—the currency required to buy them is so scarce and hard to earn that grinding for even a single character feels like an insurmountable task, let alone unlocking the full roster.”
story
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
84%
8%
The game's story is widely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, with many players expressing that it lacks a compelling plot or character development. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and world-building, the consensus is that the narrative aspect feels forced or irrelevant, leading to a general sentiment that the game does not offer a meaningful story experience. Overall, players recommend focusing on gameplay rather than expecting a rich narrative.
- “You’ll find yourself constantly discovering new details, whether through environmental storytelling or the fascinating characters you meet along the way.”
- “While Fragpunk excels in gameplay and world-building, it’s the story and characters that really elevate the game.”
- “It combines fast-paced, fluid gameplay with a rich, atmospheric world and a compelling story that will keep players engaged for hours.”
- “This game is actually so whatever, I agree that in theory all these aspects of the game are quite good, but I feel this genre of games is now so overpopulated. This addition was not necessary, especially because there is no good driven plot and there is nothing that pushes me to play the game. All I can say is thank god this game was free as I didn't have to put my money into it.”
- “It feels like you're trying to force a story into a game that just isn't story-driven.”
- “It would still be an overly-aggressively & underhandedly/deceptively monetized, story-light & Borderlands derivative, obvious mobile shooter that has clearly had its originally apt 'mostly negative' score reversed thanks to misleading advertising and foreign social media campaigns.”
music
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
74%
3%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic, high-energy soundtrack that complements the action and enhances the cyberpunk theme, while others criticize it for being repetitive or poorly integrated, particularly in the main menu and lobby. Many players appreciate the punk vibe and immersive sound design, but there are complaints about audio bugs and a lack of diversity in the music. Overall, while the soundtrack can elevate the gameplay experience, it also has notable shortcomings that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “The game's punk vibe shines through its music and graphics, with a rebellious, high-energy soundtrack that drives the action and colorful, sketchbook-style visuals that pop with personality - think vivid maps and lancers like nitro, a cyberpunk icon.”
- “The music and sound design complement the cyberpunk theme perfectly, with an energetic soundtrack that gets your blood pumping during intense firefights.”
- “One of the standout features of fragpunk is its exceptional soundtrack.”
- “Style is very ugly, boring and corporate; music sounds horrible, characters are not appealing, hard to navigate menus.”
- “My god does this game have headache-inducing main menu art, music, and in-game UI.”
- “I could only complain about the music in the lobby or before and after matches; it's really horrible.”
stability
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
2%
52%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report that it runs smoothly and is well-optimized, others experience significant bugs, glitches, and connection issues that hinder gameplay. Some users highlight a polished experience with no major problems, while others describe it as a "buggy mess" with frequent freezes and unresponsive controls. Despite these issues, many believe that with future updates, the game has the potential to become a solid addition to the tactical shooter genre.
- “The game is well optimized and runs great, which nowadays, instead of being a given, has to be highlighted and is somewhat of a feature.”
- “Definitely recommend as of now, works wonders too, no lags, no glitches, no stutters.”
- “Game at launch runs great for me, solid, no hiccups with connections or rubber bullets.”
- “Every time I load the game, it constantly freezes every 2 seconds.”
- “As of now the game is a buggy mess, you get killed out of nowhere by players that weren't anywhere near you, kill cams are unusable, matches sometimes just don't end, you have people just having to wander till the time ends even though they are the last player alive.”
- “Spent 20 minutes trying to load for it to be unable to connect to online services and fail too buggy to even start the game.”
replayability
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
Fragpunk boasts exceptional replayability, primarily driven by its innovative shard card system that introduces unique mechanics and random match modifications, ensuring no two games feel the same. Players appreciate the engaging gunplay, diverse gameplay modes, and character abilities, although some express concerns about the limited hero roster and map selection potentially hindering long-term replay value. Overall, the game is praised for its creativity and the excitement it brings to the tactical shooter genre, making it a standout choice for fans seeking varied and dynamic gameplay experiences.
- “Fragpunk offers a great deal of replayability, thanks to its diverse gameplay modes, challenging enemies, and unlockable content.”
- “In all honesty, Fragpunk has a solid formula for the attack/defend game mode, and what sets it apart is the card system in between every round where you can bend the rules of the traditional game mode, which adds a lot more fun and replayability since no two games are the same experience.”
- “No two rounds ever feel the same, keeping the action thrilling, unpredictable, and endlessly replayable.”
- “❌ limited content: small hero roster and map selection may hurt replayability.”
- “I haven't quite figured out which shard cards to pick for the best combos yet, but there's no doubt that the card system adds a lot more replayability to the game.”
- “Its a tactical hero-shooter in the same style of Valorant, but the cards add such a crazy degree of freedom and replayability; it doesn't get boring.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
56%
9%
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, blending nostalgic elements with a vibrant, gritty aesthetic that captures a dystopian future. Players appreciate the detailed environments, dynamic lighting, and the balance between competitive tension and moody exploration, although some criticize the presence of cheaters and a somewhat cringy character design. Overall, the atmosphere enhances the gameplay experience, making it engaging for both casual and competitive players.
- “From the very first moments, the game's atmosphere grabs you.”
- “The game’s visuals perfectly capture the gritty, neon-lit atmosphere of a dystopian future, blending high-tech advancements with a sense of societal decay.”
- “The contrast between the vibrant neon lights and the dark, rainy streets creates a sense of atmosphere that’s both haunting and beautiful.”
- “Characters and atmosphere are cringy; it's all like 'yeah baby, we are in trend', lots of colors and Generation Z things hit you in the face.”
- “The game is good, the customizations and the start of the round perks have added a different atmosphere to the game, but at the same time, there are a lot of problems (like server crashes).”
- “They are betting on a card system to create a party-like atmosphere, which I'm sure will work for fans of CS/Valorant that hate how 'sweaty' those games are.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of disappointment and emotional frustration regarding the game's use of AI art for paid items, feeling insulted and deceived. The emotional impact of the game is noted to be heightened during combat and exploration, but some users report feeling overwhelmed by the game's busy interface and changes that detracted from their enjoyment. Overall, while there are moments of emotional connection, the negative experiences have left a sour taste for many.
- “It ramps up the tension during combat and slows down to create a moody atmosphere during exploration, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the game.”
- “Made me feel sad, guys watch out it's not punk, it's gacha.”
- “+ this is about my experience but they gifted so many things for wishlisted players with a heartfelt message.”

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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9h Median play time

137h Average play time

5-38h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 128 analyzed playthroughs

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Fragpunk review

FragPunk Review – Heart of the Cards

Weird, unbalanced, but (usually) still fun

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