Austin Carroll is a writer and web designer from Eugene, Oregon. He's been at HGG for five years and maintains an active role designing and develop... Read more
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
High Ground View: Fortnite Review Verdict
Game title: Fortnite
Game description: Fortnite is a playful battle royale shooter loaded with innovative mechanics, exciting game modes, and iconic cartoon graphics. In a game as expansive as Fortnite, there are bound to be some imbalances. Fortunately, Epic Games does a good job at leveling the playing field and creating an atmosphere that’s enjoyable no matter how you choose to play.
Overall
-
Save the World - 7/10
7/10
-
Battle Royale - 8/10
8/10
-
Creative - 9/10
9/10
Fortnite is everywhere. From social media feeds to local news channels, the hype is almost unreal. But how did it get to be like this?
It could be due to the fact that Fortnite is available on every platform imaginable, from phones, to consoles, to PC. It could also be due to its free-to-play access and low system requirements. Or, it might be something more visceral. An intoxicating feeling, like there’s something magical about the game and its playful style.
No matter the reason, one thing’s for sure: Fortnite has wedged itself into popular culture and become a gaming phenomenon unlike anything we’ve seen before. And I just had to find out why.
In the Trenches: Fortnite Gameplay
Diving into the Game
I’m crouched in a small cabin near the edge of the storm. There are ten people left, and I’ve got a loadout full of powerful weaponry. With two takedowns under my belt, I’m feeling totally confident. This game is mine.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps just outside. I swap to my shotgun and do a quick 180 to face the entrance. A flash of yellow rushes past the window. I point my gun at the door and keep my trigger finger at the ready. But it doesn’t open.
Ra-ta-ta-ta!
They’ve built a turret! The wall in front of me breaks down as I hastily swap from shotgun to building mode. I throw up a brick wall, but the shots keep coming. The wall breaks down, and I construct another, this time made of metal. I hear a commotion outside as my enemy dismounts the turret and builds a fort at breakneck speed! I look up to catch a better glimpse. It’s a guy wearing a banana costume, and the barrel of his gun is pointed straight at me.
Crack!
Headshot. My dreams of victory fade as I drop to the floor, my gear scattering across the cabin interior. The player in the banana costume jumps down from his perch, grabs my loot, and begins to dance.
The Meta
Fortnite is a third-person shooter that boasts a vivid color scheme, cartoon-like graphics, and cute artwork. It has a Team Fortress kinda vibe to it, with the same slapstick style and silly weaponry. It’s simple yet endearing, with a unique charm that you can’t help but love.
But don’t let the looks fool you. Fortnite is a battle royale, a fight to death between you and 99 other players dropped into a deadly island arena. Your only objective is to survive.
Looting Chests on a Mountain
Board the purple battle bus and fly over the giant island map. Scan the horizon to find an attractive landing point, then parachute down to start looting chests and llama piñatas in search of equipment. There’s a variety of gear to hunt for, ranging from powerful shotguns, to assault rifles, to boogie bombs that force your enemy into a groovy dance upon impact. Adding to the excitement, your chances for loot are random. You never know what you might find.
One thing’s for certain, though. You must gear up quickly, as other players are quick to target unarmed players. And once you’re knocked out, you’re out for good.
Parachute into high-population and high-risk areas like Tilted Towers, or opt for quieter countryside settings like Lonely Lodge. Each zone features its own environment that offers unique advantages to suit different playstyles. It’s your choice.
The Namesake Mechanic
The other thing to consider? Building materials. Wood, stone, and metal can be harvested all over the map using your pickaxe tool, and they form the basis of Fortnite’s most iconic mechanic. Namely, building forts.
Building Mode
Press the assigned key to open up an entirely new interface: building mode. Within building mode, players are presented with a few craftable options, including floors, walls, ramps, and traps. Bind each option to a hotkey or scroll through them on a controller to begin building the fortress of your dreams. Unsure of what to construct? There are few limitations to what you can build, with the size and scope limited only by your imagination.
Unfortunately, building mode can be clunky at times due to bugs, lags, and misclicks. Moreover, it’s notoriously difficult to master. The result? There’s a wide gap in skill levels among players, which effectively splits the community into two distinct segments. There’s the casual player who builds at a snail’s pace, and the pro who has invested countless hours into experimenting and learning techniques from Youtube and Twitch.
Still, nearly all players can craft a wall to block enemy fire or construct a house to pop a few health potions. It may not be quick or pretty, but it gets the job done.
And for the truly competitive players out there, there’s an additional game meta that can make or break your chance of victory. It’s one of Fortnite’s iconic scenes. It’s the build battle.
A build battle is a showdown of skill. Build your fort higher and higher as both you and your opponent vie for the advantageous high ground. Stop for a moment to pop off a few rounds of fire, then continue constructing. The battle ends when one of you runs out of materials or gets knocked out.
Sniper Cosmetic Outfit
Oh, and be wary. Distracted as you are, you’re a prime target for sneaky snipers or third-party assaults that can send your structure tumbling to the ground! Fortnite is a free-for-all, after all, and you’re never truly safe.
In that sense, Fortnite is unforgiving. Each decision is critical, as one misstep can lock you into an impossible battle, or negatively impact your position and chances of winning. At the same time, competitive players are quick, decisive, and aggressive. Hesitation spells death. To combat this catch 22 scenario, players must learn the meta and strategize in real time.
Combined with the steep learning curve for building, this can make Fortnite very challenging for new players. Fortunately, Creative Mode is there to help players master the art of construction in a safe and supportive environment. But you must be committed to learning or you’ll stand no chance against those who’ve invested the time.
The Sense of Magic
Game sessions last anywhere from 20 minutes for a full match, to a few seconds if you’re very unlucky. Choose from solo adventures, duo matches, or 4-player squad mode, and duke it out to reach victory royale.
In addition to its regular modes, Fortnite features limited time game modes and special events on a regular basis. This includes silly in-game encounters like a rolling cube making its way across the map. Or a limited time Fortnite: Avengers mode where player’s work to take down Thanos. Or even earth-shattering cut-scenes that obliterate portions of the island arena before your very eyes. 
Running for Your LifeIn addition to these random encounters, Epic Games releases a new in-game season every couple months, ensuring plenty of new content. Grab a battle pass and jump aboard the battle bus to compete in various challenges. And if you fancy, check out the V-Bucks shop that lets you exchange real money for cosmetic items. The wackier you look, the better. Or perhaps a more austere expression will tickle your fancy such as the John Wick skin. Oh yes he’s made an appearance too.
There’s no doubt about it: Fortnite is a true cultural icon that speaks to players from all walks of life. Take, for instance, the time that in-game player Ninja and superstar rapper Drake broke the Twitch streaming record with a session that reached over 600,000 simultaneous viewers. Or the upcoming Fortnite world cup that has a prize pool of 25 million dollars. It’s not just an innovative game, it’s literally changing the fabric of esports and entertainment as a whole.
Your chances of victory in Fortnite are incredibly low. 1 out of 100 to be precise. But that doesn’t stop the excitement. You still get to explore the map, engage in epic shootouts, and even breakdance on a disco floor. The silliness and chaos culminate in an exciting romp that, despite its imbalances, bugs, and occasionally divided community, still feels magical.
Save the World (7/10)
Save the World is Fortnite’s co-op single player campaign that was released in the summer of 2017. It’s the original version of the game, the franchise’s flagship offering, and it accommodates up to four players per session. The premise?
Earth has just been hit by a deadly storm that wiped out 98% of human life. From the ashes, hordes of deadly zombies have risen to cleanse the world of any straggling survivors. The land is barren, supplies are scarce, and it looks like humanity doesn’t stand a chance. The world needs a hero.
That’s where you come up. Team up with other survivors to go on missions, gather resources, craft structures, and fight against monsters that lurk at every turn. Work together and you just might save the world.
Save the World took the back burner after the runaway success of Battle Royale, and the game lacks the polish and features found in pvp modes. However, Epic Games did release sweeping interface tweaks and additional in-game activities near the end of 2018.
Save the World is Fortnite’s only pay-to-play mode, and it can be purchased from the the main website or within the launcher for $30.
Battle Royale (8/10)
Battle Royale is Fortnite’s free-to-play competitive mode, and it’s the most popular variation of the game. Players are dropped onto the main island and must battle it out against 99 other players. The catch? There can only be one winner.
Fortnite: Battle Royale is split into 8-week seasons, and each season features different in-game changes, including new items, mechanics, and areas to explore. This results in continuous improvements and exciting new gear that offers fresh content for beginner and seasoned players alike.
Fortnite is multi-platform and players are typically matched up against others using the same or similar machines. This often results in fairly balanced gameplay.
Unfortunately, there is still a large skill gap between pro and casual players. While this is a challenge for most games, Fortnite seems to suffer from it more than others titles. Whether that’s due to Fortittes’s unique mechanics or incredibly competitive community is unknown. What’s certain is that it can be challenging for new or casual players to win a match or even keep up.
But overall, Battle Royale is incredibly charming thanks to its playful, cartoonish graphics, and goofy items. It’s a game that simply feels good to play, and regular updates give the world a sense of intrigue and wonder.
Creative (9/10)
Fortnite Creative was released at the end of 2018 and is marketed as the sandbox variation of the series. In Creative, players get access to their own servers where they can construct an island to their heart’s content! From sprawling cities to custom physics-based mini-games, players are only limited by their imagination.
Once a player has finished developing their island creation, they can invite their friends to explore or even partake in a mini battle royale. Player servers accommodate up to 16 people at one time, resulting in endless excitement and mayhem.
For those seeking to get better at the main Battle Royale server, Creative Mode is also an amazing place to explore and train. Players can practice their edits, enhance their aim, and learn the nuances of Fortnite’s fine-tuned mechanics.
Best of all? Fortnite Creative is totally free-to-play!
Zoom In: A Closer Look
Here’s a peek at Fortnite’s key specifications:
- Game Modes: Save the World, Battle Royale, Creative
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile
- Genre: Third-Person Shooter, Battle Royale, Sandbox
- Developer: Epic Games
- Release: 2017
- Price: Save the World $30, Other Modes Free-to-Play
- Business Model: Game Sales, Micro-transactions
- System Requirements: Core i3, 4GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 Graphics, Windows 7+
Zoom Out: Summary
Overall, Fortnite is a groundbreaking game that packs innovative mechanics and endless excitement into one exciting title. Its different modes offer countless gameplay possibilities, and Battle Royale remains one of the most popular games on the market.
High Ground View: Fortnite Review Verdict
Game title: Fortnite
Game description: Fortnite is a playful battle royale shooter loaded with innovative mechanics, exciting game modes, and iconic cartoon graphics. In a game as expansive as Fortnite, there are bound to be some imbalances. Fortunately, Epic Games does a good job at leveling the playing field and creating an atmosphere that’s enjoyable no matter how you choose to play.
Overall
-
Save the World - 7/10
7/10
-
Battle Royale - 8/10
8/10
-
Creative - 9/10
9/10
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