[Download on Steam] NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, developed by 24 Entertainment and published by NetEase Games Montréal, is a PVP action combat experience with martial arts inspired melee combat, gravity defying mobility, vast arsenals of melee & ranged weapons, legendary customizable heroes with epic abilities – inspired by the legends of the Far East. Up to 60 players can enter a match in teams of 3, so there is a heavy element of co-op in the game!
If you did not already know, the global sales for NARAKA: BLADEPOINT has exceeded 6 million copies in the first three months since its launch, and it has reached the top of Steam’s global best-selling list. The world’s major game media have given high ratings and have been nominated as the best multiplayer action game of 2021 in the Golden Joystick Awards. At present, the game is on sale with 30% OFF! Here is our first impression of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT!
• Weapons and Ultimate Skills
Weapons are categorized into melee and ranged which players can purchase or loot in battle. Each type of weapon also has 4 levels of color-coded rarity, with the gold version being the most powerful. According to our initial test, no character is truly the master of any weapon, hence the strategy here is most likely to just obtain the highest DPS weapon one can get. Strategy wise, players can try and obtain weapons which match their skills better for combo damage.
Each of the playable characters have unique skills, including an ultimate skill which becomes usable when the meter gets filled up through combat and time passed. There are a variety of such skills, including crowd control, pure damage, and even transformation! Since NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is played in teams of 3, it is wise to have some synergy between the characters’ skills. We do feel that Kurumi, the only healer now, is essential for all teams at the beginning.
• Character Cosmetics
Our first impression of the costumes in NARAKA: BLADEPOINT reminded us of another globally loved game, Overwatch. While the lower tier costumes have a base design which is re-colored or just slightly altered, the rarer costumes tend to be more intricate, detailed, and with a huge “wow” factor. We are also impressed by the variety of cosmetics for players to make their own unique version of each character, including positions such as dolls and a couple of waist areas. Luckily, there are no over-the-top cosmetic items such as giant wings!
It is also a positive note that there are several different ways to obtain new cosmetic items in NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, including paid, event (free), and through in-game quests (free). These items do not provide players with any battle advantage, so new players do not need to be intimidated by them. It is all about skills and teamwork in the end!
• Grappling Hook
The grappling hook system reminded us of TItanfall 2, where players are able to travel across the terrain fast usually via tall structures. This is also known as the zipline system. In NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, it can be used to get beside grappling targets as well, which is really cool! Kudos to the development team for using the grappling hook as a cosmetic item as well, with many of the designs having unique themes.
• Combat System
If you are a gamer who is looking for more technical movements and controls in a PVP game, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is definitely the game of choice. While no overly complicated, there are several move sets which will require both quick thinking and quick pressing of key combinations for players to truly become masters of the battlefield. Players will always start with basic punches and kicks, followed by discovering new weapons and upgrading to higher tier ones as each game progresses. Before we forget, there are several different modes to choose from as well!
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT seem to focus more on melee combat, as we felt the melee weapons are more versatile and allow quicker movement and actions during fights. While ranged weapons are powerful as well, most of the time players will be standing ducks or run out of ammo very quickly. The technical skills ceiling of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is rather high, hence prepare to see masters of the game perform crazy combos which will leave all opponents in awe!
• New hero, Yueshan
Together with a new season in NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, a new hero has joined the battlefield as well, Yueshan. A calm, dignified, and highly serious military genius, he is now on a quest to find the Mask of Immortality. Yueshan’s ultimate form is the second transformation type in the game, where he becomes a fortified stone general with boosted stats! The design is reminiscent of the Terracotta Army soldiers.
• NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is now 30% off
With over 50,000 “Very Positive” reviews on Steam even from the harshest of critics, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is on its way to become a resounding global success. The game is now 30% off retail price with a new season and new character, hence it should be a no-brainer purchase if you are looking for a game to play with friends. This discount is for a limited time only, so don’t miss out!
