Fortnite

Fortnite: Standing the Test of Time - A 2024 Review

(updated)

When Fortnite erupted onto the gaming scene in late 2017, it quickly ascended to become a global cultural juggernaut. This battle royale drew players from all corners of the globe, including celebrities and professional athletes, all seeking the exhilarating rush of a Victory Royale. At its pinnacle, Fortnite became more than just a game; it was a cultural touchstone that you'd be hard-pressed to have missed.

Fortnite's Continuous Metamorphosis

Into the year 2024 and the game is still a top leader in the gaming industry, ranking among the most-watched games on Twitch. Fortnite is undergoing a sea of changes, with a constant stream of updates breathing new life into the gameplay. Epic Games has been hard at work improving their premiere game, gathering a steady player base of millions of people who log into the game every day. Their commitment to game development has paid off, and Fortnite remains afloat as a top contender in the gaming world.

A Nostalgic Embrace

Within the Fortnite community bubbles a sense of longing for the days of old, particularly for the landscape of the original map from its first chapter. But this yearning hasn't gone unnoticed or unaddressed—thanks to the release of Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Since early 2023, this powerful creation tool has empowered users to fashion their worlds within Fortnite, including meticulous recreations of the cherished Chapter 1 map. Fan-made classics like Reboot Royale and Atlas OG Battle Royale now offer a passport to the past.

A Creative Conundrum

However, the influx of Creative maps has been a double-edged sword. The clutter of hastily assembled maps has led to a somewhat untidy and bewildering in-game universe. Although Epic Games incentivizes map creation, the overabundance of underwhelming designs in the Discover tab has grown into an issue that requires attention.

Despite these concerns, the potency of the Creative mode shines through with immaculately constructed maps like OnlyUp, which amassed millions of players in mere days, showcasing the potential and popularity of well-crafted user content.

Battle Royale Evolved

Epic Games hasn't shied away from innovation within the core Battle Royale mode either. The introduction of the Zero Build mode, first seen in Chapter 3, stripped back the game to its combat roots, excising the iconic building mechanics for a purer form of warfare. This shift has been warmly received, drawing in random gamers and competitors alike, catering especially to newcomers eager to dive into Fortnite's offerings.

The Crossplay Dilemma

A somewhat contentious feature has been the mandatory crossplay, which pits players from mobile and console realms against their PC counterparts. Although system-based adjustments attempt to level the playing field, it isn't a complete solution. The option to disable crossplay exists but is a rarely chosen path due to the significantly increased wait times for matchmaking.

Despite this, Fortnite's embrace of crossplay remains a highlight, simplifying the process of teaming up with friends across platforms. In tandem, cross-progression stands out as an amenity, ensuring cosmetics and game progress are seamlessly accessible regardless of the gaming system.

Fortnite's Cosmetics

One of the pivotal factors contributing to Fortnite's undiminished popularity in 2024 is the dazzling array of cosmetic options. Imagine a team where LeBron James passes the ball to Ariana Grande, Goku readies his Kamehameha, and Ahsoka Tano brandishes her lightsabers. This dream team becomes a reality in Fortnite thanks to an array of partnerships bringing a plethora of iconic characters into the mix. Epic Games ensures the freshness of its wardrobe with new items materializing multiple times each month, which remains no small feat.

The Cost of Vanity

Despite the allure of these cosmetics, they come with a hefty price tag. Legendary skins fetch 2,000 V-Bucks, which is roughly equivalent to $16. Even though they typically feature striking visuals, additional styles, and back bling, the investment for a single item weighs heavily on wallets. Moreover, a planned price hike for V-Bucks looms on the horizon towards the end of October, threatening to exacerbate the situation. Nonetheless, the silver lining is the non-competitive advantage these cosmetics provide, floating in the realm of optional luxury for those who indulge.

The Value-Oriented Battle Pass

Contrasting with the steep prices of individual items, the Battle Pass remains a bargain at 950 V-Bucks. It's packed with a variety of skins and accessories, not to mention a return of 1,500 V-Bucks. Its true value lies in the exclusivity of its contents, which are slated never to return, incentivizing players to secure a new pass each season. Essentially, the Battle Pass can pay for itself season after season, delivering a bounty of fresh cosmetics and sustenance for the next cycle's pass.

Personalization Galore in the Item Shop

The Fortnite Item Shop is a treasure trove brimming with over 50 cosmetic items on any given day. Such variation guarantees that every gamer will be able to discover something for themselves to suit their individual taste, be it a sleek new outfit or a quirky emote embodying their in-game persona.

Consistent Content is King

Fortnite's prestige as one of the most-played video games in history has been underpinned by its relentless content rollout. In 2023, Epic Games kept up an impressive cadence, delivering new content bi-weekly. Further, each season, unfolded over three months, brought a minimum of three substantial updates, supplemented with smaller, fine-tuning patches and hotfixes. Such dynamism is a double-edged sword, with frequent alterations to items' effectiveness and map morphs necessitating players to adopt a flexible approach to the evolving game.

Seasonal Events and Live Experiences

The tradition of thematic seasonal events, such as Fortnitemares and Winterfest, continues to thrill players. On December 2, 2023, Epic hosted its most grandiose live event, Fortnite’s The Big Bang, entrancing players in an immersive cosmic spectacle that birthed a reimagined Fortnite universe. Post-event, players reveled in the debut of new modes, including LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival, diversifying the gameplay portfolio alongside perennial favorites like Battle Royale and Zero Build.

Innovations and Graphics Enhancements

Fortnite has welcomed a suite of new mechanics and features, enhancing mobility with options like mantling and sprinting—now indispensable elements of gameplay. Reality Augments and various in-game innovations like Gold Bars, NPC interactions, and forecast towers have added depth to Fortnite's Chapter 4. Graphical fidelity has also seen a notable uplift, courtesy of Unreal Engine 5's capabilities like Nanite Virtualized Geometry and Lumen, resulting in stellar lighting and texture quality. Advancements like DLSS and features like dynamic resolution stabilize performance, while a dedicated performance mode on PC ensures accessibility for those with less powerful hardware.

Improvements extend to the user interface too, streamlining the refund process and ready-up procedures for a seamless transition between matches. Additionally, new organizational features for cosmetic load-outs have been introduced, facilitating personal customization.

The Royal Verdict

Despite its imperfections, Fortnite stands out as an exceptional title in 2024. The game's balanced and responsive combat system, coupled with the diversity of game modes, caters to a broad audience, preserving its sovereignty in the battle royale domain with no signs of relinquishing the crown.