Introduction
Fortnite, created by Epic Games and launched in 2017, is an online video game that offers players three distinct game modes. Despite their differences, all three modes share a common gameplay experience and utilize the same game engine.
Review
Fortnite, a popular video game, has captured the interest of a wide range of individuals, spanning from renowned musicians and professional athletes to online influencers and even the local neighborhood gamers. Its immense appeal has resulted in millions of downloads and attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers who eagerly watch others play the game. In fact, many have hailed it as the largest game on the internet.
In fact, Fortnite revolves around a couple of distinct elements. When it was initially launched in July 2017, the game had a different focus compared to its current iteration. The primary emphasis was on its PvE (Player versus Environment) mode called Save the World. This mode brought players together in four-player cooperative teams, challenging them to combat a storm, zombies, rocks, and other obstacles that stood in their way.
Setting the Stage: Exploring the World of Fortnite
In this vibrant and whimsical adventure, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where peculiar storms, crackling with lightning, have turned 98% of the human population into zombie-like creatures known as Husks. These animated skeletal beings roam around wearing their discarded skins, giving them a strangely endearing appearance. As a survivor of this catastrophe, you are bestowed with the title of Commander by a group of hovering robotic companions who are determined to provide you with essential resources for the cause of saving humanity. With their guidance, you assume the role of a hero, selecting from a diverse range of collectible characters, each possessing unique skill sets, all striving to restore order to the world.
While various mission types are available, the core of your responsibilities involves two primary activities. These activities form the foundation of your journey as you endeavor to set things right and bring hope back to a world in desperate need of salvation.
One of the core aspects of fortnite resembles the gathering, building, and crafting mechanics seen in Minecraft. In this phase of the game, players are encouraged to explore the vast digital environment and gather essential resources such as wood, stone, and steel. Virtually everything in this open sandbox world, including cars, walls, tool sheds, trees, and rock outcroppings, can be targeted with a pickaxe to extract their elemental components. Once collected, these materials can be used strategically in mission-specific locations.
fortnite's building system comes into play as players utilize the gathered resources to construct various structures, including floors, walls, stairs, towers, traps, and other fortifications. The objective is to create a solid defense that effectively safeguards the designated mission objectives. By employing their creativity and resourcefulness, players can tailor their fortifications to meet the unique challenges posed by each mission.
While on the lookout for resources, it's crucial to scavenge for weapons and ammunition as well. In fortnite, a variety of weapons can be discovered and wielded to fend off the impending hordes of Husks. From pistols and axes to shotguns, spears, sniper rifles, and machine guns, there's an arsenal of options at your disposal. When the onslaught of Husks inevitably commences, you have the freedom to choose your preferred approach. You can opt to perch in a tower, methodically eliminating Husks from a distance, or dive headfirst into the crowd, brandishing a powerful shotgun. The key is to maintain your defense until the allocated time elapses. Once that happens, you'll need to repeat the process, reinforcing your fortifications and preparing for the next wave of challenges.
Completing missions successfully in Fortnite rewards you with a range of valuable upgrades. These upgrades encompass various aspects such as weapons, collectibles, heroes, survivors, traps, and more. With each successful mission, you have the opportunity to enhance your favorite hero's abilities and armory, equipping them with even more formidable tools for the next venture. This progression system forms the core of the original PvE (Player versus Environment) side of Fortnite, allowing you to continuously strengthen your character and march forward in your quest.
Jaw-Dropping Reviews: Unfiltered Opinions of Gamers
In recent times, when people mention Fortnite, they are often referring to Fortnite: Battle Royale. In September of the previous year, the developers at Epic Games decided to explore a more dynamic and open-ended concept within the Fortnite universe. They introduced a free PvP (Player versus Player) game mode known as Fortnite: Battle Royale. This mode offers a massive online brawl experience, dropping 100 players from a plane onto a sprawling, lush island and essentially saying, "Go for it!"
Throughout the island, various weapons like crossbows and grenade launchers are scattered, reminiscent of the scavenging aspect seen in The Hunger Games. However, it's important to note that Fortnite: Battle Royale is less graphic in nature compared to that fictional series, which I'll elaborate on in the following section.
Participants in Fortnite: Battle Royale have the option to team up with others, explore the game's expansive environment, construct defenses, and seek out hiding spots. There are even game modes that allow teams to work together to eliminate rival teams. However, at its core, this game mode is a last-man-standing challenge, where those who are defeated must exit the competition. Merely hiding until everyone else is eliminated is not a viable strategy. As the match progresses, the playable area of the island gradually shrinks, forcing players into closer proximity and intensifying the confrontations between them.
In this regard, the Battle Royale version of Fortnite presents some concerns not found in the original game. The primary difference lies in the fact that players engage in combat with other human characters, rather than the more science-fiction-oriented Husks found in the PvE mode. It's important to note that the nature of this game mode involves human characters shooting and eliminating other human characters, which can be seen as a more contentious aspect compared to the fantastical elements of the original game.
Why fortnite Became So Popular
So what makes Fortnite such a universally adored game, you may wonder? Well, first and foremost, it's important to mention that Fortnite is free to play. This accessibility factor plays a significant role in its widespread appeal. While in-game purchases are available, they are not necessary for gameplay.
However, the game's appeal extends beyond its affordability. One of the key aspects is the cartoony nature of Fortnite's contests. The gameplay experience is fast-paced, lighthearted, and infused with a whimsical sense of humor. Despite being a multiplayer shooter, Fortnite manages to avoid excessive gore and violence. When opponents are hit, they simply vanish without leaving a messy aftermath.
These elements combine to create an enjoyable and inclusive gaming experience that appeals to a wide range of players, contributing to the game's phenomenal popularity.However, it's important to acknowledge that Fortnite, particularly in Battle Royale mode, involves human characters targeting and shooting other human characters. In our society, which is increasingly exposed to violence, even a cartoonish depiction of violence carries the potential of desensitization. This is an issue that families should carefully consider before embracing the game. Some parents may determine that even Fortnite's stylized shooting is still too realistic for their liking. On the other hand, there are families who might conclude that Fortnite's violence, devoid of graphic and gory elements, serves as a preferable alternative to other M-rated games that leave nothing to the imagination when it comes to violence. Ultimately, each family should make an informed decision based on their own values and the sensitivities of their children.
Verdict
Before wrapping up this review, there are a few additional aspects that I would like to address. It is worth noting that younger players will not come across explicit language within the game itself. However, it is important to acknowledge that when engaging with a large online community of a hundred players, equipped with headsets, there is a possibility of encountering some instances of vulgar language or expressions of frustration from other players.
Additionally, it's essential to acknowledge that, like any highly immersive game, Fortnite carries the risk of time slipping away unnoticed. Once you surpass a significant number of contestants and get caught up in the excitement, it's easy to lose track of time, including the impending bedtime. This is particularly true as the developers at Epic Games continuously expand the game's maps and allow players to participate in the action across various gaming platforms, ranging from consoles in the family room to smartphones in your pocket. The accessibility and ongoing updates of the game contribute to its captivating nature, but it's crucial to exercise moderation and manage time effectively while indulging in Fortnite gameplay.
Fortunately, there are measures that can assist both parents and their children in managing gaming time effectively. Firstly, it's worth noting that the average run-and-gun match in Fortnite typically lasts around 20 minutes. Additionally, gaming consoles offer parental control features that allow parents to set limitations and ensure that their child's Fortnite gaming sessions are not excessively prolonged.
However, it is important to emphasize that engaging with Fortnite is a personal decision for each family. Some may choose not to opt-in to Fortnite at all, as they might find even a relatively mild first-person shooter problematic due to its portrayal of violence between human characters.Ultimately, it is up to individual families to weigh the potential benefits and concerns associated with the game and make a decision that aligns with their values and priorities regarding gaming content and its impact on their children.