With a silky smooth combat system and a sharp sense of style, Naraka Bladepoint gives the battle royale genre a unique edge.
It’s no understatement to say that the ‘battle royale’ could be considered its own genre. From the FPS styling of Fortnite and PUBG, to the RPG-focused Shadow Arena or the offbeat Tetris 99, there are many different flavors of mass multiplayer mayhem for the chaos-seeking gamer. Naraka Bladepoint from 24 Entertainment blends RPG style heroes and customization with a deep combat system that piggybacks off of the unique aspects each character offers. Offering two game modes that are hosted on their own unique maps, this pre-release playstest brings a robust experience with action-packed gameplay.
Naraka Bladepoint offers six different heroes to try, each with a special ability and an ultimate. While it may not seem like much in the beginning, these abilities only dictate the finer points of gameplay while in-action. Your broader combat options will come from the weapons you choose that are littered across the battlefield, or ones that you choose during the solo-oriented Bloodbath mode. These range from blackpowder guns such as muskets and flintlock-style pistols, to a variety of swords to engage in hand-to-hand combat with. You are also able to charge your attacks for certain weapons and during certain attacks during combos, giving them extra damage or defense-breaking properties to mix up your opponent and secure the kill.
The intensity from these skirmishes is taken to the extreme when you throw in the unprecedented freedom of movement the game offers. Wall climbing, double-jumping and a quick-moving grappling hook all add to the tension during a fierce battle. These all create unique opportunities to assault the opponents with the grappling hook being a stand-out addition, as using it against an enemy slows their movement as you zip towards them. When playing the team-based mode, squads of 3 venture across a large map to find weapons, armor and accessories to strengthen themselves for the battles ahead. The beautifully detailed map is easily traversable using these free-moving mechanics and comes naturally after playing the tutorial.
The depth of Naraka Bladepoint’s combat comes from the loot scattered about the map. Even in the smaller solo games, items called Souljade can help deck your character out with extra stats and abilities. These can range from general melee resistance and attack buffs to a combo alteration or headshot damage resistance. As the melee rages on and you begin to get a read on your opponents, these can become key in leveraging small bonuses to edge out your victories. The action is fierce and decisive with a back-and-forth struggle that can end in a flash if you aren’t careful with escape feeling impossible. As the mechanics collide to create dynamic battles, it will feel like you’re playing a sort of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon style martial arts simulator that feels satisfying to fight in.
The two primary gameplay modes exist in the game. While there is a trios option, solo gameplay offers more robust options. The traditional battle royale style mode can be played solo or tios in a few different maps, while the Bloodbath mode focuses more on instant action solo play. You start with every weapon at high quality, with Souljades spawning periodically, along with special weapons such as multi-rocket launchers and flamethrowers. Each character fits well in solo and team situations and while some are better than others, each of them feels great to play in either fashion.
This is all if your computer can handle it, of course. With a minimum of 10 GB of RAM required, the minimum specs clock in higher than that of Cyberpunk 2077 on PC making this a beefy title for a lower end computer. While my rig didn’t quite make it up to snuff, it holds together enough to keep stable during most action-packed moments and offers an overall enjoyable experience. It’s certainly an impressive looking title, with beautiful colors and lighting that make the world feel alive. The unlockable cosmetics look awesome and transform the aesthetics of the weapons and characters in a profound way, which feels satisfying when you unlock your favorites.
Fans of fast-paced action and flashy combat dare not miss Naraka Bladepoint. It offers a fresh take on the battle royale style of game, preserving the feeling of scavenging for weapons and armor while injecting just the right amount of hero-based flair. The weapons feel great to use and each of them feels impactful on the battlefield once you get the hang of them all. For those looking for a unique battle royale experience with a flavor all its own, don’t miss this one.
