Fortnite (for PC) Review

Fortnite is the battle-royale PC game to beat right now. In fact, Epic Games confirmed earlier in 2018 that Fortnite hosted 3.4 million concurrent players in one record-breaking session. This notably beats Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) highest-ever player count recorded on Steam, which topped out at an impressive 3.2 million players. Fortnite currently has a lot going for it, including approachable gameplay modes, bright and zany graphics, and an excellent construction system. Iffy combat and the presence of microtransactions detracts from the experience, but, as it is a free-to-play game, fans of the genre should still give it a shot.

Pricing and Platforms

Fortnite actually has two main gameplay elements: a player vs. environment (PvE) setup called Save the World and the mode I reviewed, which comprises the meat of the game: Battle Royale. The Save the World mode is currently expensive, but it will go free-to-play sometime in 2018, according to Epic Games. For now, you can choose between purchasing the Standard Edition ($39.99), the Deluxe Edition ($59.99), the Super Deluxe version ($89.99), and the Limited Edition ($149.99).

The basic premise is the same with each version: You lead a group of defenders against groups of oncoming Husks (zombies). It's a similar concept to what you might see in some parts of Metal Gear Survive, though I imagine it improves upon the concept. The versions differ in what characters and gear you have at your disposal.

On the other hand, Battle Royale is free to play. Battle Royale is the epically popular game mode that has overtaken PUBG's place in pop culture. Fortnite is also the most-viewed game on Twitch. Of course, with that popularity, Fortnite attracts all of the annoying internet personalities associated with streaming and breeds a new generation of gamers who follow their lead. You can try to ignore all of this fluff, but this over-the-top culture is pervasive in the game and community.

If you don't already have an Epic Games account, all you need to do is sign up with an email address. The game download is about 20GB, so it could take a while to install if you have a slow internet connection. Although you can jump into the action at no cost, there are microtransactions, which we discuss towards the end of this review.

Currently, Fortnite is available on Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. You no longer need to wait for an invite to play on Android; if your device is compatible, you can just install it. My guess is that Fortnite launches as a VR game next. Fortnite's cross-play capabilities let players match up across desktop, mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch platforms. Sony only recently decided to allow cross-play for Fortnite, after considerable player backlash.

Familiar Gameplay

If you have ever played Player Unknown's Battlegrounds , then Fortnite's battle royale concept should be familiar. Your goal is to be the last person, pair, squad, or team standing. Survive as long as you can and take down anyone in your way. There are some differences, such as a completely different art style and Fortnite's construction system (more on both later), but it's disappointing that Epic Games did not do more to differentiate the game. Although Fortnite is more accessible than PUBG, it still won't hurt to take a look at our Fortnite survival guide, especially if you are just starting out with the game.

During my review time, I had the option to try several different modes such as Solo, Duo, Squad (four-player teams), Team (20-player teams), and 50 vs. 50. Fortnite added the 20-player mode during my review period, so it is possible that the number and types of modes could change in future updates. I appreciate the game's quick matchmaking. Regardless of the multiplayer mode I selected, it usually took less than a minute to be added to a match.

The pre-match staging area is situated on an island just off the coast of the main map itself. It's entertaining to peer off the side and see the entire playable landscape in a panoramic view. At most, you get a couple of minutes to explore the island, test out some mechanics, or just finalize your strategy before the battle begins. There's no bridge that connects to the main map, so naturally, you fly in aboard the Battle Bus, a bright blue school bus, complete with a gigantic balloon and blaring sound system. Once you find a good drop spot (and preferably one far away from other players) you jump out and begin a rapid free-fall descent. The game's physics let you cover a significant distance in any direction, so don't worry if you accidentally drop out over the wrong area of the map. Deploy your glider at any point to slow your descent and soften your landing (it deploys automatically once you get close enough to the ground).

After landing, you can take a few moments to gather yourself and enjoy the enchanting surroundings, but the peace won't last long. Shortly thereafter, a storm begins to form and you must start trekking in the direction of its eye if you want to survive. However, you also need to watch out for other players. Eliminate them if you can or simply avoid detection. If you fall within an enemy's sight or behind the pace of the storm, you will die pretty quickly. Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode follows a similar script.

In some modes, there is an intermediary stage between life and death, in which your character gets knocked down to the ground. In this state, you can only move around by crawling and cannot use any weapons or health packs. To regain vitality, a teammate must heal you. Needless to say, enemy players and the storm itself can finish you off easily once you are knocked down. In any case, once you die, the camera switches to the perspective of your killer or a teammate (if you are in a team mode).

Weak Weapons

Fortnite is generous with its dispersal of weapons. Nearly every area I visited had at least one weapon available for the taking, though many had multiple. Unlike in PUBG, I was able to secure a weapon in every round I played. The only potential downside of this abundance is that every other player that you come across will likely also have a gun (or two). Don't bother trying to fight off an armed enemy with your ax: It won't end well. Try hiding or running away instead.

Fortnite's shooting mechanics, however, are awful. Aiming, firing, and reloading all feel clunky. Even if you think you hit someone, chances are the game will register it as a miss. The closer you can get to an enemy, the better your chances to eliminate them. The reverse is true as well. If you can create a good amount of distance between yourself and another player, they will have a much harder time hitting you. PUBG does a much better job in this regard. Its weapons all have a distinct, accurate feel and excellent sound. All that said, Fortnite's rockets and grenades are very satisfying to use.

Build (or Break) Everything

One of Fortnite's differentiating features (and one of it's most successful) is its construction mechanics. To craft anything, you first need to scavenge for resources. Nearly everything you see on the map is destructible. Buildings, household appliances, rocks, trees, and vehicles are just a few examples of what you can destroy with your ax. It's very satisfying to just chop down everything in sight without having to worry about running out of energy (your character does not have a stamina meter of any kind) or picking up scattered material (it adds them directly to your inventory).

Everything breaks down into three types of resources: wood, bricks, and metal. The differences aren't just cosmetic though. Structures built out of metal are strongest, followed by brick, and then wood. Although it's not particularly difficult to find any of these materials, the weaker ones are more prevalent. Using stronger materials also adds to the construction time, so if you are in a perilous situation, building a single wooden fence is the most effective way to protect yourself.

So what exactly can you build? Your preset choices include a fence, a square floorboard, a ramp (or stairs), a pyramid, and a campfire. You can construct any of those items with any of the materials, with the exception of the campfire. This is a special and difficult-to-find item, but it is an effective way to heal yourself or your teammates in team-based modes. Any Minecraft players will feel right at home with this system.

Fortnite makes it easy to build massive and complex structures in very little time. You are only limited by your available resources. Even if you only scavenge for materials intermittently, this should never really come into play. The construction system is simple to master. Just select the structure type, choose a location, and hit the Build button. Don't worry about misplacing an item, since anything you build can be moved or modified.

There are obvious benefits to building structures, the primary of which is protection. If someone is shooting at you, for example, it may be a good idea to build a barrier for cover. If you are part of a larger team, you can combine resources to create sprawling fortresses. A tall enough building can also serve as an effective lookout tower. Take caution while building or scavenging. If someone sneaks up from behind, you most likely won't be able to draw your weapon in time. Also, regardless of what you build—a cozy little shelter or a towering safe haven—other players can destroy it. Like I mentioned, everything is destructible.

More Gameplay

Since the time of our last review, Fortnite has added vehicles to the game. In keeping with its unconventional style, Epic Games now randomly disperses shopping carts throughout the world map and more recently added All Terrain Karts (ATK) to the experience. Shopping carts accommodate two players and move along with momentum, while ATKs can seat up to four players and functions like a more conventional vehicle. PUBG still offers more vehicle variety, but Fortnite gets credit for addressing this shortcoming.

While players still cannot freely redeploy their glider throughout the match, Fortnite has added Launch Pads and Bouncer Traps to the game. Launch Pads propel you into the air. Once airborne, you can deploy your parachute and glide to safety. Bouncer Traps are similar and launch players in whatever direction they arrive at the trap. As a bonus, the top of ATKs function as Bouncer Traps. Both add new layers to the combat and offer novel ways to escape potential from both the storm and opponents.

Fall damage exists in the Fortnite world, but Bouncer Traps notably negate all fall damage. You can test the limits of these physics in many ways, none of which I recommend. For example, you could leap off the side of the island into the surrounding sea. This will kill you. You might even try to scurry off the side of a canyon to avoid detection. This will also lead to death. Let's say you jump off the edge of a tall structure to avoid an incoming rocket. Spoiler: this will end in death, as well.

Graphics and Performance

Whereas PUBG opted for a serious, more realistic visual style, Fortnite takes things to the opposite extreme. It uses bright colors, cartoon graphics and animations, and wacky locales. One is not necessarily better than the other and it really comes down to personal preference. Since Fortnite's only map (PUBG currently has two, with a third on the way), is a lot smaller, however, there's less object pop-in, and locations have more world-building details. For example, Fortnite completely decked out a fast food restaurant I visited inside and out with bright posters on the wall, individual menus at each table, kitchen appliances in the back, and a gigantic revolving sign on top of the building. Additionally, I feel that Fortnite's lighthearted combination of elements makes for a less stressful experience than PUBG.

Fortnite recommends at least an Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870, the equivalent of an Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz CPU, and 8GB RAM for PCs. However, the minimum requirements are more accessible: an Intel HD 4000 GPU, an Intel Core i3 2.4 GHz processor, and 4GB RAM. Of course, players with lower-end specs will need to turn down the graphics level a bit to get smooth framerates

I tested the game on a Dell Inspiron 5675 running Windows 10, with an RX 580 8GB GPU, a Ryzen 1700x processor, and 32GB RAM. I used FRAPS to benchmark the performance; my gaming rig kept things running between 60 to 70 frames per second (FPS) at the highest settings. The game lets you set a hard limit on the FPS if you want more consistent performance.

Like any other online multiplayer title, Fortnite Battle Royale requires an internet connection. I had no troubles running the game over my home Wi-Fi network. If you typically have problems with network latency, it might be wise to connect your PC directly to your Ethernet port. You wouldn't want to ruin your experience with a bad connection.

Customization Costs

As Fortnite is a free-to-play game, its microtransaction offerings are less surprising than in AAA titles, but they are still very prevalent. The game lets you purchase V-Bucks for real money, which you can in turn use to buy-in game items. The current pricing tiers are as followed: $9.99 for 1,000 V-Bucks, $24.99 for 2,800, $59.99 for 7,500, and a whopping $99.99 for 13,500. Thankfully, these items are just cosmetic and do not give you any sort of performance advantage. Purchasable items include outfits, emotes, and pickaxes. For reference, many of the Legendary outfits cost 2000 V-Bucks. Regardless, it's absolutely ridiculous to even include the option to purchase $100 worth of V-Bucks in a free-to-play game. In addition to buying individual items, you can also purchase a Battle Pass with your V-Bucks. Battle Passes instantly unlock a batch of in-game loot and let you earn additional items by completing challenges.

Unfortunately, there's no way to upgrade your character's gear without V-Bucks. This isn't a deal breaker, since the game itself is free, but it will certainly be annoying for anyone who puts a significant number of hours into the game. It's worth noting that you can earn V-Bucks by completing daily quests or other missions in game. Players can also get V-Buck via the Save the World game mode, but this mode costs $39.99 at the time of writing. Ideally, Fortnite should have a single price tag and players should have the ability to unlock at least basic items by simply playing the game. Have some self-control and don't purchase anything. I know a new paraglider can be tempting, but it's not worth spending your hard-earned money.

Mobile Madness

Fortnite is now available on iOS and Android platforms without an invite. I tested the game on an iPhone 8 running iOS 11 and a Samsung Galaxy S9+ running Android 8.0. Note that Epic is bypassing the Google Play Store and will instead offer the game as a download from its website. You do need to enable app installs from your browser, but the install process is pretty straightforward. Check out my hands-on impressions of Fortnite on Android.

If you play Fortnite on any other platform, then the experience should be instantly familiar. All the menus and tabs are in the same place and joining a match is just as simple. However, the interface doesn't scale well at all, so I found myself squinting to read some elements. During the testing period, I explored a few different game mode options: Solo, Squad, and 50 v 50, though game mode options may change with future updates.

I'm happy to report that the game did not lag during matches. However, this performance comes at the expense of the game's visuals. The environment retains its colorful aesthetics, but objects look misshapen and textures lack detail. A graphical downgrade is typical of any mobile game, but the difference is very noticeable here.

The controls work fine, but feel crowded, since they are positioned on both sides of the screen and on the bottom. For example, I often accidentally adjusted the camera angle when trying to chop down objects for resources. Also, due to the interface scaling, actions such as switching weapons or changing the construction material can feel tedious. However, Fortnite did make some improvements to the gameplay on account of the smaller screen size. For example, when you run over a weapon, the game automatically adds it to your gear. And if you double tap the movement joystick, the game automatically toggles sprinting.

It's impressive that developers Epic Games and People Can Fly were able to build a mobile version of the game that captures the overall experience so well. If you absolutely need to play Fortnite on the go, then the mobile version will scratch that itch. I still prefer the experience on PC, due to the superior controls and enhanced graphics.

Latest Fortnite Updates

Fortnite is a constantly evolving experience. Take for example, Fortnite's Playground mode, which halts the battle and gives players the opportunity to explore the map without the worry of the encroaching storm or enemy players. Developers have also reworked areas of the map since the time of our last review, so there is no shortage of places to discover. For example, you can now visit the relaxing Lazy Links golf course, ancient Viking Outpost, and expanded Dirt Race Track. Various toys allow you to further interact with some of these areas.

However, new locales are only a small part of Fortnite's constantly expanding wheelhouse of changes, especially as new seasons start (Fortnite is already closing in on Season 7). Also, who can forget about the various Fortnite PR stunts over the past couple of months? For example, Fortnite capitalized on the Avengers: Infinity War craze with its "Infinity Gauntlet Limited Time Mashup" mode which lets lucky players take on the role of Thanos in-game. Then, the mysterious Rocket Launch event stole the limelight for a bit. I fully expect Epic Games to engage its audience with similar content in the future.

Fortnite: Free For All Fun

The battle royale concept is not new or unique at this point, so games in the genre need to do something to distinguish themselves. Fortnite's bright, fun graphics and novel construction mechanics are highly welcome in a genre that seems to have increasingly turned down dark and suspenseful paths. It's not a perfect game: The shooting mechanics need improvement, and it could benefit from scaling back microtransactions. Still, genre fans should give it a fair chance, especially since it is a free-to-play title.

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