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Chris is a Gaming Editor at ScreenRant. He has been a professional writer since 2009, and has written for top TV, comics, movie, and video game outlets like Engadget, Polygon, Destructoid, and more. He brings with him an expertise in every game genre, no matter how niche or mainstream.
You may know him as the former Managing/Reviews Editor of Destructoid, where he published hundreds of game reviews across every genre, including MMOs, sports games, and Metroidvanias.
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If you find that games are too expensive, go look at the free offerings on Steam for a bit. Given how tough 2026 looks in terms of video game pricing trends, free experiences are poised to grow even more.
For instance, over on Steam right now, you can find a free game that simply got buried under the numerous AAA and standout indie releases.
FragPunk Got Buried In A Big Year For Games
2025 Was Packed
In a sea of Steam games and hero shooters, it's easy to miss FragPunk. It came out earlier in the year and was buried, but has been delivering updates over since, and is sitting on positive reviews on Steam.
The gist is that it's a 5v5 hero shooter with a twist. Shard Cards can be used to "break the rules of the game" in wacky ways, including powers like laying eggs and eating them for bonuses, or giving enemies big heads to aim at. You can also summon biome changes like giant bits of grass to provide cover.
In addition to 5v5 it also sports a "duel mode," which kicks off during ties, or can be played as a separate game type. The over-the-top nature of FragPunk permeates throughout, as you can customize your weapons with tons of stickers, and the Shard Cards cause some pretty hectic map changes.
As of roughly a week ago, Fragpunk is still getting regular updates. The last patch includes Frozen Storm weapons, as well as prep work for the "Deck Gear Up" mode, which kicked off on January 1. As an active game with a seemingly healthy community, it could be worth checking out if you're into the genre.
It's Completely Free To Play
All It Costs Is Time
FragPunk is free-to-play, but the studio stresses that "every Shard Card is completely and forever free for all players," with "no paywalls in sight." User reviews compare it favorably to Valorant, with many calling it underrated. It's also being hailed as beginner-friendly, as you can choose any character to unlock in the first week.
Fans seem to focus on the winning mechanic of Shard Cards, which make each match more exciting than the average hero shooter. The key ingredient to why Shard Cards seem to be a success is their meta-disruptive element, as you can't just stick with the same stale strategy for weeks on end.
Even if you're burned out on hero shooters, FragPunk looks like a great time, and it's still chugging on Steam. Given how a lot of these types of experience don't always last, it might be worth downloading it for free and giving it a shot, possibly with a squad.
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