I just read about Striden, and it sounds like quite an unusual multiplayer shooter! The game appears to combine serious tactical shooter elements with some genuinely bizarre features – most notably moose-pulled artillery and radioactive bears.

Here’s what I gathered about Striden:

It’s set in an alternate Scandinavia that’s become a battleground between East and West forces
Tactical nukes have been deployed, creating a post-apocalyptic setting
The game includes unconventional elements like artillery pieces pulled by moose
Players can apparently transform into radioactive bears
There’s also some melee combat with hammers
It’s developed by 5 Fortress

The open beta is happening this weekend (April 4-6, 2025), with another testing period scheduled for next weekend (April 11-13). It’s planned for early access release later this year, though no specific date has been announced.

The article humorously discusses the impracticality of moose as military assets in real life but embraces the absurdity that video games allow. The blend of a realistic military shooter with these outlandish elements seems to be its unique selling point.

Based on the information available, I’ll provide a detailed review of Striden. However, I should note that since the game is currently in beta with a planned early access release later this year, this represents an early assessment rather than a final verdict.

Concept & Setting

Striden presents a fascinating premise: war-torn Scandinavia caught between Eastern and Western powers, ravaged by tactical nuclear strikes. What sets it apart immediately is how it embraces the absurd consequences of this scenario rather than pursuing strict military realism. The developers at 5 Fortress have created a world where post-apocalyptic necessity breeds bizarre innovation—most notably, the now-iconic moose-pulled artillery units.

This blend of serious military conflict with surreal, almost darkly comedic elements gives Striden a unique identity in the crowded multiplayer shooter market. It’s refreshing to see a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still maintaining core tactical shooter fundamentals.

Gameplay Highlights

The available information suggests several standout gameplay features:

Moose Artillery: The signature feature appears to be functional artillery pieces pulled by moose, presumably offering heavy firepower with unique mobility considerations.
Transformation Mechanics: Players can apparently transform into “radioactive bears,” suggesting some form of power-up or alternate combat mode that drastically changes gameplay dynamics.
Mixed Combat Systems: While firearms are the primary focus, the game also includes melee options like hammers, suggesting diverse combat approaches.
Tactical Focus: Despite its outlandish elements, Striden seems to maintain a serious tactical core, likely requiring teamwork and strategic thinking.

Visual & Atmospheric Direction

From the limited visuals available, Striden appears to strike a distinctive balance between gritty post-apocalyptic realism and absurdist elements. The screenshots show relatively realistic human soldiers alongside the more outlandish elements like the moose-pulled artillery.

The game’s setting—nuclear-scarred Scandinavia—provides a compelling backdrop that’s underutilized in gaming: snowy forests, rural villages, and northern European architecture, all transformed by conflict and radiation.

Development Status

Striden is currently in open beta testing (April 4-6, 2025, with a second beta scheduled for April 11-13). 5 Fortress is developing the game, which is planned for early access release later in 2025.

Early Impressions

As a multiplayer experience, Striden appears to target players who appreciate tactical team-based shooters and games with distinctive, offbeat personalities. The combination of serious military gameplay with elements like moose artillery and transformations suggests a game that doesn’t fit neatly into established subgenres.

The limited testing window (just 32 hours for the first beta) indicates the developers are likely looking for focused feedback on specific systems rather than conducting a marketing-focused “beta” that’s essentially a demo.

Potential Strengths & Concerns

Potential Strengths:

Truly unique premise and gameplay elements that stand out in marketing
A blend of tactical shooting with unexpected mechanics could create fresh gameplay loops
Setting offers rich environmental and narrative possibilities

Potential Concerns:

Balance between serious tactical gameplay and bizarre elements could be difficult to maintain
Early access multiplayer games often struggle with player population sustainability.
Complex mechanics like moose artillery and transformations will require careful balancing.

Conclusion

Striden represents an intriguing addition to the multiplayer shooter landscape, offering something genuinely different in both setting and mechanics. While it’s too early to assess its execution fully, the core concept shows promise for players seeking something beyond the typical military shooter experience.

The upcoming beta weekends will be crucial in determining whether Striden can deliver on its unique premise while maintaining the solid gameplay foundations necessary for a successful multiplayer title. For now, it remains one of the more interesting and unusual shooters on the horizon for 2025.

The article highlights four key innovations that make Fragpunk more accessible:

Shard Cards – Random modifiers that players vote on between rounds, introducing unpredictable elements and keeping the game lighthearted.
Non-restrictive weapon selection—Unlike Counter-Strike’s economy system, Fragpunk lets players choose any weapon, though there is a limit of two uses per weapon category per half.
Shorter matches – Games are best of seven rounds and last about 15 minutes, preventing the frustration of being stuck in long, one-sided matches.
No ultimate abilities – While the game has heroes with abilities, it avoids overpowered “ultimate” moves that tend to dominate other hero shooters.

The author also appreciates that Fragpunk uses straightforward gunplay where bullets go where you aim, unlike the recoil patterns in CS2 and Valorant.

Analysis of Fragpunk

Based on the article, Fragpunk represents an innovative approach to tactical shooters by successfully creating a more casual experience while preserving core tactical shooter elements. Let me break down the key aspects of the game:

Core Innovation: Casual Tactical Shooter

Fragpunk’s primary achievement is creating what the author calls “casual Counter-Strike” – something previously thought impossible. The game manages to maintain tactical shooter fundamentals (bomb sites, economy, silent walking, low time-to-kill) while significantly reducing the stress and competitive intensity typical of games like CS2.

Key Design Elements

1. Shard Cards System

Acts as both an economy and a randomizer
Player-voted modifiers between rounds
Range from minor buffs to game-changing rules (removing bomb sites, knife-only rounds)
Strategic depth through banking points for multiple activations
Serves to defuse player frustration (“hard to feel like you messed up” when losing to unusual modifiers)

2. Weapon System Overhaul

No traditional buy menu restrictions
All weapons available immediately, including power weapons
Limited uses per weapon category (two per half)
Balances freedom with strategic decision-making
Eliminates “slumming it with just a pistol” scenarios

3. Match Structure

Best of 7 rounds (approximately 15 minutes)
Significantly shorter than traditional tactical shooters
Reduces commitment and frustration
Ranked mode extends to best of 11 (still shorter than competitors)
Quick resolution prevents being “trapped in a 40-minute slog of a loss”

4. Hero Design Philosophy

Includes hero characters with abilities but no ultimates
Avoids the ability-dominated gameplay of Overwatch or Valorant
No single move is powerful enough to win entire rounds
Maintains focus on gunplay over ability usage

5. Gunplay Mechanics

Traditional recoil system where bullets follow aim
Rejects the “funky recoil patterns” of CS2/Valorant
More accessible and intuitive for average players
Similar to most mainstream FPS games

Market Positioning

Fragpunk positions itself at an interesting intersection:

Part Counter-Strike (tactical round-based)
Part Valorant (hero elements without ultimates)
Part Call of Duty (accessible gunplay)
Part casual party game (Shard Cards)

This unique blend could appeal to players who find traditional tactical shooters too stressful or time-consuming while still offering enough tactical depth to be engaging.

Player Experience

The article suggests Fragpunk creates a distinctly different player experience:

Lower stress levels
Reduced frustration
Greater emphasis on fun over competition
Shorter time commitment
More variety through the Shard Card system
Balance accessibility and skill-based gameplay

Potential Impact

If successful, Fragpunk could represent a new subgenre that bridges the gap between hardcore tactical shooters and more casual FPS games, potentially bringing in players who have been intimidated by the high skill floor of games like Counter-Strike while still offering enough depth to maintain interest.

The game appears to recognize that not every player wants the extreme pressure and commitment of traditional tactical shooters while still appreciating their core strategic elements.

Analysis of Fragpunk

Core Innovation: Casual Tactical Shooter