FragPunk vs. Friends vs Friends: Differences and Similarities
Image Credits: Bad Guitar Studio, FragPunk
If you’ve seen FragPunk and thought, Wait, haven’t I played this before?, you’re not alone. Friends vs Friends launched in 2023 with a similar idea: shooters with card-based modifiers. But while both games share that core gimmick, they play very differently. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which one is right for you.
FragPunk: A Hero Shooter With a Twist
Best for: Players who like tactical shooters and structured competition.
FragPunk looks and plays like a modern hero shooter, with an emphasis on team coordination and precise gunplay. The card system, called "Shards," isn’t about wild randomness—it’s about adding small strategic twists to each round.
How the Card System Works in FragPunk
No deckbuilding. Instead, your team gets three random cards before each round.
Players vote on which card effects to activate using in-game currency.
The selected cards affect the entire team and provide buffs or challenges, such as revives, visibility control, or making headshots easier.
Once a round starts, there are no mid-match card plays—the focus shifts to pure shooting.
Who Should Play FragPunk?
If you enjoy hero shooters like Valorant or Overwatch but want something with a unique twist.
If you prefer structured, tactical gameplay over unpredictable chaos.
If you like the idea of temporary power-ups but don’t want deckbuilding to interfere with gunplay.
Friends vs Friends: Chaotic Card-Based Combat
Best for: Players who enjoy fast-paced action and unpredictable fun.
Friends vs Friends takes the card mechanic much further. It is not a hero shooter. Instead, it is an arcade-style FPS where the deck you build directly affects gameplay. Instead of choosing a character with predefined abilities, you customize your own playstyle by selecting the cards you bring into battle.
How the Card System Works in Friends vs Friends
Players create their own decks, selecting from a wide range of modifiers.
Cards can be played at any time during a match, allowing for unexpected twists.
The game leans into absurdity, with effects like slow-motion bullet time, turning players into ice blocks, or making health bars invisible.
The action is fast, unpredictable, and focused more on fun than competitive balance.
Who Should Play Friends vs Friends?
If you like games that embrace wild, unpredictable mechanics.
If you enjoy deckbuilding and want more control over the powers you use.
If you want a shooter that feels more like an old-school, chaotic arena game.
Which One Should You Play?
Both games mix first-person shooting with card-based mechanics, but they take very different approaches.
If you like structured, tactical gunplay with minor power-ups, FragPunk will be the better fit. If you want a fast-paced shooter where cards create constant chaos, Friends vs Friends is the way to go.
For players who tried FragPunk and felt the card system was too limited, Friends vs Friends offers a more expansive take on the concept. It may not have the same player count, but it leans fully into the card-based gameplay in a way that FragPunk does not.
If you enjoy the idea of combining shooters with card-based mechanics, both games are worth trying. But for those looking for more control and crazier power-ups, Friends vs Friends deserves a second look.
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