Naraka: Bladepoint is a multiplayer melee combat game with a striking visual style

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Chinese studio 24 Entertainment unveiled a multiplayer melee action game tonight at The Game Awards called Naraka: Bladepoint that promises a "boundless movement system" that enables players to climb, hang, wall-run, and more, aided by an "aim-at-whatever-you-want" grappling hook.

Combat is obviously the core of the Bladepoint experience, and 24 Entertainment said it will be "sophisticated" yet accessible to beginners. It will also have what sounds like an unusual take on block and parry mechanics: The developers didn't explain how it will work, but there's no block or defend button, so defense will presumably be built into the movement or attack system. But along with all the fighting, players will also have the opportunity to explore a strange, forsaken island filled with "splendid landscapes as well as inexplicable enigmas."

"In Naraka: Bladepoint, players will feel every attack and utilise everything in their skillset and armoury to achieve victory," producer Ray (just Ray, I guess) said. "Our teams have created something visually stunning and instantly appealing to fans of multiplayer online combat, and we can’t wait to share more details on Naraka: Bladepoint in early in 2020."

Naraka: Bladepoint is listed on Steam, and you can find out more at narakathegame.com.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.