Prima Game of the Week | Fortnite

Fortnite offers a refreshing take on the battle royale genre with its unique building mechanic and vibrant art style.

Why You Should Play

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  • Colorful, cartoony art style with unique building mechanic.
  • An engaging, free-to-play multiplayer battle royale experience.
  • Fun new weapons and items that often lead to emergent gameplay.
  • Includes game modes for both PvP and PvE.

Fortnite originated as a tower defense-inspired cooperative shooter with a unique building mechanic. Shortly after PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds began to dominate the PC gaming scene in 2017, Fortnite introduced its own Battle Royale game mode, rubbing elbows with the likes of PUBG and eventually taking the world by storm in 2018. While Fortnite stays true to the core battle royale formula, its lighthearted cartoony visuals, seamless building mechanic, and free price tag have helped Fortnite become one of the most popular multiplayer games to date.

Gameplay

Fortnite is comprised of two game modes. When talking about Fortnite, most players are referencing the hit multiplayer PvP mode, Battle Royale. Those who wish to enjoy a cooperative PvE version of Fortnite can opt for Save the World instead, which was initially the core experience of Fortnite prior to the introduction of Battle Royale last year.

Save the World mainly consists of co-op missions where players are tasked with constructing a base and fending off zombie-like creatures called Husks. There are multiple Heroes to play as, each with their own special perks and attributes to help keep the horde at bay.

Using the unique building mechanic in Fortnite, players must create defensive structures around a point of interest to protect precious cargo from the Husk onslaught, all while mowing down enemies with an assortment of weapons and traps. Players can quickly construct walls, roofs, stairs, and floor panels to create elaborate structures. These features can be quickly modified to suit the player’s needs by creating doors, windows, and cropped walls on the fly.

For those who haven’t kept up with the latest battle royale craze in gaming, Fortnite’s Battle Royale game mode is essentially a PvP fight for survival. One hundred players are dropped onto an island and are tasked with doing whatever it takes to become the last player or squad standing. Players must scavenge for resources and weapons to eliminate opponents and survive for as long as possible.

Fortnite’s intuitive building mechanics translated very easily over to Battle Royale. In fact, the unique building system is often cited as one of the main attributes that set Fortnite apart from other battle royale contenders like PUBG. Being able to construct walls and platforms in an instant adds another skill-based layer to Fortnite Battle Royale, allowing for emergent gameplay and a sense of randomness that keeps players on their toes.

There are three building materials in Fortnite: wood, brick, and metal. The material types determine the durability and build speed of constructed elements. Players must collect materials using their pickaxe in order to have enough resources for defensive building later on. In Battle Royale, collecting materials coincides with finding weapons, traps, and consumable items that are scattered throughout the map.

Fortnite has fluid shooting mechanics and an assortment of fun gadgets and traps to help spice up the action. From rocket-riding across the battlefield to forcing a dance-off with a Boogie Bomb during combat, there’s plenty of ways to crank up the silliness in Fortnite that are often hilarious, quirky, and downright fun.

Visuals and Performance

Fortnite is first and foremost a third-person shooter, so having fluid shooting mechanics is integral to the gameplay experience. While still undergoing regular updates, the weapons in Fortnite for the most part feel satisfying and distinct, and the loot drops are consistent enough to keep everyone involved in the action.

As for the game’s visuals, Fortnite’s cartoony art style and bright, popping color palette help to create a lighthearted atmosphere that is both stunning and inviting. While many games within the same genre have opted for a more serious presentation, Fortnite’s visual style has set the game apart from its contemporaries and helps appeal to gamers of all types.

Game of the Week

Fortnite is essentially a battle for survival, whether it be against Husks in Save the World or other players in Battle Royale. While being a decent Fortnite player requires quick reaction time and ingenuity, even novice players can dive into Fortnite and find something they enjoy.

Now that Fortnite features crossplay support, players can now squad up with friends across PC, mobile, and consoles regardless of platform. As Fortnite continues to achieve new milestones and altar the gaming landscape, it’s safe to say that Fortnite is undoubtedly one of the most influential games of this generation.

If you’re looking to improve your multiplayer skills in Fortnite, be sure to check out our Fortnite Battle Royale Guide, where you can find out how to complete weekly Battle Pass challenges and learn tips and tricks for earning that coveted Victory Royale.


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Author
Larryn Bell
Larryn is a content creator on YouTube and a full-time writer who has written guides and editorial features for various gaming websites. She can often be found at small gatherings preaching the gospel of The Witcher 3.