Naraka: Bladepoint

Swords, not guns. Naraka: Bladepoint took the battle royale formula and threw out the firearms, dropping 60 players into a mythic Eastern world armed with katanas, spears, and grappling hooks. Melee is the star here, all parries, feints, and mid-air duels. Developed by 24 Entertainment and published by NetEase Games, it built a huge following, and in 2023 it dropped its price tag entirely.

The result plays like nothing else in the genre. You parkour across rooftops, zip toward enemies with a grappling hook, and clash in fast, technical melee fights where a well-timed block flips a losing duel. Guns and bows exist, but the katana does most of the talking.

Naraka went free to play in 2023, which makes it one of the most distinctive entries on our list of the best free battle royale games. If you’re tired of aiming down sights, this is the one to try.

Is Naraka: Bladepoint Free?

Yes. Naraka: Bladepoint is free to play, and has been since July 2023. It launched as a paid game back in 2021, then went free, so now you just download it, make an account, and drop in. Every core mode and the full battle royale come included.

Money changes hands over cosmetics and a battle pass: character skins, weapon looks, and seasonal rewards. Heroes each bring unique abilities, and while some unlock through play, you can speed that up with purchases. The weapons and gear that actually decide a fight are found in the match, though, so reactions and skill carry you, not your wallet.

Gameplay & Features

Naraka’s combat is its whole identity. Light and heavy attacks chain into combos, blocks clash against blocks, and parries reward the player who reads an opponent instead of just mashing buttons. Add the grappling hook and full parkour movement, and fights sprawl across rooftops and cliffsides in ways gun-based BRs never manage.

• A 60-player battle royale, plus smaller team modes and rotating limited-time modes for variety.
• A roster of heroes, each with a distinct ultimate ability that reshapes how you fight.
• A deep melee arsenal, katanas, greatswords, spears, and nunchucks, alongside bows and firearms.
• Grappling-hook traversal and parkour that turn positioning into a skill all its own.

Prefer your battle royale with guns? Apex Legends and PUBG sit at the shootier end of the genre.

PC System Requirements

Naraka runs comfortably on mid-range hardware, and the minimum bar reaches back to gear from the mid-2010s. Aim for the recommended specs if you want the crisp 1080p and steady frame rate its fast melee really demands.

An SSD isn’t required, but it’s strongly recommended for smoother loading.

How to Download & Play Naraka: Bladepoint for Free

Getting in is quick, and you’ll want it from an official, safe source. Here’s the path:

1. Install Steam from store.steampowered.com if you don’t have it, then sign in or create a free account.
2. Search for Naraka: Bladepoint, or head to its official Steam page.
3. Hit Play Game. It’s free, with nothing to check out.
4. Let it install (around 55 GB), then launch and run the tutorial. The combat has real depth, so it’s worth the few minutes.

It’s also free on the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S if you’d rather play elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Naraka: Bladepoint free?
Yes, free to play since July 2023. It was a paid game at launch in 2021, so any older “buy it” info you find is out of date.

Is Naraka: Bladepoint pay to win?
No. Purchases are cosmetic or convenience, and the weapons and gear that win fights are picked up during the match, the same for everyone.

Is it all melee combat?
Mostly. Melee is the heart of it, but bows and firearms are in the mix too, so ranged play is an option.

What platforms is Naraka: Bladepoint on?
PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.