The partial domination of battle royale games has been the norm for the past several years. While there have been many games in this genre that have launched, only a few have really stood the test of time. Clearly, Fortnite has become a cultural phenomenon within itself, which began as a builder-shooter that even just recently hosted an in-game concert featuring Ariana Grande. Other popular titles from Apex Legends to Call of Duty: Warzone have captured the interest of millions of players, and it is clear that the battle royale genre isn’t dying down any time soon.
While there are numerous battle royale games that follow a similar formula for gameplay, focusing on guns and loot, there are some developers that aim to make something special. The spell-slinging battle royale Spellbreak is a great example, as it takes the ground rules of the genre and injects the fantasy of magic into its gameplay. Most recently, the developers at 24 Entertainment have launched Naraka: Bladepoint. With multiple unique qualities, fans of the battle royale genre should definitely take a look at the new option available to them in Naraka: Bladepoint.
Naraka: Bladepoint is Unique In Its Own Right
Naraka: Bladepoint has come a long way since its original announcement at the 2019 Game Awards, and players are finally able to dive into the world of Morus Island. For those with any familiarity with battle royale games, the gaming loop in Naraka: Bladepoint will feel quite similar. Players prep for a match, then select a dropping point before beginning to search out increasingly stronger gear across the environment, all the while avoiding the threat of a closing outer ring.
Even though the act of battling other players to come out as the sole survivor will also be familiar, combat is exactly where the uniqueness of Naraka: Bladepoint becomes apparent. It is in the variety of combat where battle royale fans may get the most satisfaction out of trying out Naraka: Bladepoint.
Opposed to the numerous battle royale games that focus on gunplay, Naraka: Bladepoint stands out by providing players with a melee-oriented combat system featuring greatswords, katanas, spears and more. Regardless of weapon choice, fighting against other players will take focus and skill, especially when engaged in close combat. One of the main gameplay mechanics in Naraka: Bladepoint is about parrying attacks, adding some flair to the standard melee combat system. Although, players that enjoy ranged weapons still have several options. Players can utilize bows, but they also can master weapons like the cannon, or the powerhouse Flamebringer.
The importance of Naraka: Bladepoint's manueverability is also a stand-out feature of the battle royale, and further enhaces the excitement of combat. While players are often able to get around the maps of other battle royale games with various parkour tricks, Naraka: Bladepoint really takes it to a new level. The game's hookshot allows for quick and easy movement both vertically and horizontally, and will come to be the main way players traverse across the incredibly detailed locations around Morus Island. It can even be a way to quickly close in on an enemy, or cheekily escape them.
Whether or not fans of the battle royale genre are getting tired of their main game of choice, checking out Naraka: Bladepoint could provide an interesting alternative as a game. It is unique enough to provide a breath of fresh air to those playing different battle royale games, but familiar enough to also make sense to new players. Naraka: Bladepoint will make its way to consoles at some point in the future, expanding the playerbase even further than it is now. 24 Entertainment's new battle royale is enjoying some post-launch popularity, and hopefully players will enjoy the game enough to help it stand the test of time.
Naraka: Bladepoint is available now on PC.