At this year’s Summer Game Fest, Indonesian indie developer Fajrul FN pulled back the curtain on Acts of Blood, its upcoming PC-exclusive melee brawler set to launch in 2026. Promising visceral, unscripted encounters, the game blends hand-to-hand combat, makeshift weapons and judicious gunplay into a no-holds-barred action package.
Instead of tightly choreographed martial arts set pieces, Acts of Blood throws players into chaotic skirmishes where every object is a potential weapon. The debut trailer showcases brutal pipe swings, cricket bat smashes and cinematic pistol shots that punctuate hand-to-hand exchanges. Early footage hints at a seamless mix of punches, kicks and grab-fu overlaid with dynamic finishers that bring home the brutality.
While melee remains the heart of the experience, gunplay enters the fray when close-quarters options dwindle. According to Fajrul FN’s statement, firearms serve as a tactical counterpoint: quick, brutal and limited. “We wanted guns to feel like a cinematic punctuation mark, rather than a default fallback,” explains founder Fajrul Fanani. The sparing use of pistols and shotguns is designed to preserve the tense, face-to-face intensity that defines the brawler genre.
Indonesia’s game development scene has grown notably in recent years, but few studios attempt the scale and raw style that Fajrul FN aims for. Fanani says focusing on PC lets the team iterate rapidly on core mechanics and absorb community feedback. “Our goal is to nail the base combat loop first, then consider console adaptations,” he adds. That approach may delay a broader release, but it underscores the studio’s commitment to a polished first impression.
To fine-tune responsiveness and combo depth, Fajrul FN has announced plans for closed beta tests in mid-2025. Participants will help stress-test control tightness, weapon balance and the flow of finishers. Veteran brawler designers often warn that without rigorous playtesting, melee systems risk feeling floaty or repetitive. Fanani hopes early feedback will shape enemy behavior, difficulty curves and progression features.
Replay value in a brawler hinges on variety and growth. The trailer offers glimpses of skill trees, weapon durability mechanics and branching upgrade paths—but full details remain under wraps. If Acts of Blood can generate emergent fights where no two encounters feel the same, it could carve a niche among players tired of formulaic beat ’em ups. Fajrul FN’s ambition: build a sandbox of violence where improvisation reigns supreme.
With a 2026 PC launch on the horizon, Acts of Blood is poised to test the limits of indie brawler design. Its success will determine whether console ports and even broader platform ambitions follow. For now, the game stands out as one to watch—an unapologetically gritty take on melee combat from a studio eager to leave its mark on the genre.