Naraka: Bladepoint, the melee-focused battle royale developed by 24 Entertainment and published by NetEase Games, has recently seen a significant surge in its popularity. According to the latest data from Steam’s “most played” section, the game boasts nearly 300,000 concurrent players, a figure that rivals even the likes of Apex Legends in its 24-hour peak. This rise is particularly impressive when compared to Helldivers 2, which has seen a dramatic decline in player count since its release.
Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation Studios, initially took the Steam charts by storm with a peak of 458,046 players. However, it now struggles to maintain around 30,438 concurrent players. In contrast, Naraka: Bladepoint‘s player base continues to grow, showcasing its staying power in the highly competitive Battle Royale market!
A Unique Take on the Battle Royale Genre
One of the key factors behind Naraka: Bladepoint’s success is its innovative approach to the battle royale formula. Unlike traditional battle royale games that rely heavily on gunplay, Naraka: Bladepoint focuses on melee combat and smooth martial arts-inspired gameplay.
Built on a “rock-paper-scissors” core mechanic, the game’s combat features three types of attacks: normal, charged, and counter-attacks (parries). Charged attacks beat normal attacks, parries beat charged attacks, and normal attacks beat parries. This easy-to-learn, hard-to-master system creates a dynamic and engaging combat experience where players must constantly adapt and outthink each opponent they face.
In addition to its combat mechanics, Naraka: Bladepoint also excels in movement and traversal. The game allows players to use grappling hooks to zip across the map, reach high places, and even engage in mid-air combat. This adds a layer of verticality and fluidity to the gameplay that sets it apart from other battle royale titles—which, truth be told, tend to feel repetitive the more you play them.
This emphasis on close-quarters combat creates a fast-paced and intense gameplay experience that sets Naraka: Bladepoint apart from its competitors. Players must master the art of timing, positioning, and reading their opponents’ moves to emerge victorious. The game’s unique setting, inspired by Chinese mythology, adds to its charm and appeal.
A Thriving Community and Promising Future
Naraka: Bladepoint has cultivated a dedicated and passionate player base since its release in August 2021. The game’s recent transition to a free-to-play model has only accelerated its growth, attracting even more players to its unique blend of melee combat and battle royale action.
The game’s developers have also shown a commitment to constantly improving and expanding their game with frequent updates, new heroes, and more game modes. This focus on delivering fresh content while addressing community feedback has helped Naraka maintain its momentum and keep players engaged.
For those who have yet to experience the thrill of Naraka: Bladepoint, now is the perfect time to dive in. With its free-to-play model (not pay-to-win!), engaging gameplay, and active developers, the game offers a fresh and exciting take on the battle royale genre that is not to be missed.
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is free-to-play on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game is also available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
