Naraka Bladepoint is a battle royale game unlike any other. While many games in the genre feature gameplay that appeals to shooting fans, Naraka Bladepoint gives the advantage to veterans of fighting games. Additionally, players can enjoy traversing the map with satisfying parkour and grappling hook techniques during massive 60-player matches. When the time comes that players encounter each other, the one with better reactions and analysis will likely come out on top. This guide will help players figure out when and how to parry in Naraka Bladepoint and secure a victory.
The combat in Naraka Bladepoint boils down to a rock-paper-scissors system. Each action during battle is either a Focus Strike, a Common Attack, or a Counterstrike (Parry). Skilled players will anticipate their enemy's next action and respond accordingly, all while being aware of any additional players that might be in the area. In that sense, Naraka Bladepoint contains many similarities to the mechanics of For Honor.
How To Parry In Naraka Bladepoint
Players can perform a Counterstrike or Parry by hitting both Common Attack buttons at the same time. In other words, clicking both mouse buttons when using default PC controls. Players using a gamepad can Parry using whichever buttons to which they have mapped their Common Attacks. It should be noted that the player must be holding a weapon to perform a Counterstrike. Since players can't parry without a weapon, this makes them extremely vulnerable to enemy Focus Attacks.
When To Parry In Naraka Bladepoint
Counterstrikes, or Parries, have the advantage against Focus Strikes within the rock-paper-scissors system of Naraka Bladepoint. Players who see their opponent charging up an attack and glowing with a blue aura should enter their Parry stance. Those who participated in the successful Naraka Bladepoint beta periods will have some experience recognizing attack animations.
It's also possible to anticipate a Focus Strike ahead of time by learning weapon combos. For most weapons, the third hit of a Common Attack combo will be a Focus Strike. For greatsword weapons, the second hit in a combo will be a Focus Strike. Players who keep these combos in mind can know exactly when to Counterstrike.
Just as Counterstrikes beat Focus Strikes, Common Attacks beat Counterstrikes. Players who rely too heavily on Parrying can be taken advantage of by enemies who are clever enough to cancel their actions into a quick Common Attack. The trick to winning in Naraka Bladepoint is to be one step ahead of the opponent, even when in the presence of other players and monsters during combat.
Naraka Bladepoint breaks the mold of the battle royale genre in many ways. The excitement of a competitive match consisting of 60 players is something that can now be experienced by gamers who avoided the genre before. With complex mechanics reminiscent of the tightest fighting games, it could become one of the best battle royale games on PlayStation when it eventually hits the console.
Naraka Bladepoint is available now for PC, with a PS5 version in development.