Ever since Fortnite first exploded in popularity, it has had its fair share of both defenders and naysayers. Regardless of which side of the fence you fell on then, the game has evolved a great deal in the years since. The core gameplay is still the same, but there have been plenty of tweaks, additions, and patches that might tempt you into the fold, or bring you back to the game if you left it behind.
Although Fortnite can no longer lay claim to the sole champion of the battle royale genre, it has remained a juggernaut in the industry, and with good reason. The experience of Fortnite in 2022 feels a world away from where things started.
Skill-based matchmaking
One of the things that may have stopped players from getting on board in the past may have been the skill barrier to entry. When matches were relatively random, newer players barely stood a chance against the veterans. Plenty of people were put off by the experience because they felt like they were dying constantly.
Things have changed now, as the game has a levelling system that it uses to match players based on skill, as well as tracking people’s victory crowns. It now means that beginner players will only be fighting each other, helping you get to grips with the game, and potentially score a victory royale in your very first match.
Play in squads
Adding extra players to the team doesn’t necessarily make the game easier, but it does make it more fun. There is a surprisingly large difference between solo and group play. Staying hidden is a lot harder in a group, but it offers unique tactical potential when hunting enemies down.
Whether you’re playing with your friends, or a group of strangers, having some friendly faces on the battlefield makes the game feel more alive. If you’re someone who felt games weren’t action-packed enough, then this could be the perfect solution to keep the fun rolling.
Enhanced gunplay
A more subtle change has happened over the years, but those who played in 2017/2018 compared to 2022 might notice a great difference in how guns feel. For one thing, there is now a much wider array of weapons on offer, and finding the best guns is no longer as difficult as it once was.
On top of that, tweaks and changes have been made over the years to make shooting a gun feel a lot more fun. It’s not as in-depth a system as something like CS:GO offers, but shots have weight and impact that was lacking when the game first rose to prominence.
Expanded movement
No matter what mode you’re playing on Fortnite, you’re going to be doing a lot of running. Staying on the move is essential to victory, but when you run into trouble, it’s important to know your options for keeping safe. Some useful tools have been added to this area.
Swimming wasn’t an option until Chapter 2, but there are no plenty of water-based sections on the map. One of the biggest (and coolest) additions is sliding in Chapter 3. By crouching when running, the character will perform a slide which is not only great for getting to cover fast but allows you to get some badass shots off in the process. Most recently, in Chapter 3: Season 2 mantling was added, so you can climb up on something if a ledge is low enough.
Crossover skins & events
As Fortnite became the money-making machine that it is today, plenty of other media companies wanted in on the action. This is great for business and has allowed the team behind Fortnite to improve the game loads over the years. For you, the player, this means there is a veritable cornucopia of characters from all over pop culture you can potentially play as.
Fortnite’s most notable collaboration has been a longstanding one with Marvel, as their heroes are often rotated around as skins, with Doctor Strange on the current Battle Pass. On top of that, there are popular gaming franchises, such as Assassin’s Creed and Overwatch skins.
Tents
The range of utility items has expanded tenfold in 2022. No longer content with simple grenades, players can construct quite the arsenal of weapons and equipment. Healing items, remote explosives, and items like the Rift-To-Go offer a whole host of new tactical options. However, players have to deal with the problem of where to keep them all.
Thankfully, an item has been added that fits that exact purpose. Tents can be found all over the map that can be carried and placed just about anywhere. Letting players stop for a moment, you can store a bunch of items and weapons inside, meaning you are no longer constrained to just their inventory. It goes a level deeper, though, as anything stored in a tent can be retrieved in future games if players can find another tent, making it perfect for beginners in Fortnite to build their arsenal.
Minions & Bosses
Despite being a battle royale game, other players aren’t the only opponents scattered on Fornite maps in 2022. Players will be able to encounter different kinds of NPC minions and bosses on the map that change each season. Levelling up in Chapter 3: Season 2 requires taking on these enemies. These can be tough opponents, especially as they like to group up, but their bases offer great rewards if players can conquer them.
Adding NPCs to a battle royale environment is somewhat of a controversial decision, but it’s something that can be completely ignored if you don’t want anything to do with it. That said, you definitely should give it a go, as there are a lot of fun environments and events to see.
Hireable NPCs
Enemy NPCs aren’t the only ones that have been added to the game world, as you can find unique allies on the battlefield if they go to the right place. Naturally, their help isn’t free, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the gold bars to pay them, otherwise, you’re on your own.
Naturally, their skills aren’t as sophisticated as most players, but a little extra firepower can go a long way in a fight. Even simply having them for the sake of a meat shield could allow you to strike an opponent down. They’re not all, as you can find and befriend the Klombos dotted around the map. Many hands make light work, after all.
Bounty hunts
Hunting down other players in the wild is plenty of fun, but there’s always the option to add an extra layer of challenge; not to mention a reward. Dotted around the map are bounty boards marked with a crosshair on the map, interacting with them will pick a random nearby foe, and give you six minutes to track them down and kill them.
To give you a little help, a mid-sized radar will appear on the map, showing the rough area they’re in. Be warned, though, the target will get their own indicator, letting them know how close you are. Not only is this a fun little game of cat-and-mouse, but it forces you to be aggressive, as if someone else takes them out first, you won’t get your reward.
Zero Build mode
Fortnite’s building mechanics are a huge part of the game’s identity and what set it apart from other battle royales when the genre first exploded in popularity. That said, it is a source of frustration for some players. The fact that a duel could be decided simply by who could construct a huge tower the quickest wasn’t fun for some, and they went elsewhere.
Those people will be pleased to know that a mode has now been added to the game where building is completely disabled. Not only does this make for a more pure battle royale experience, but it turns the game’s tactics on their head. We have some tips for Fortnite Zero Build if you’re not used to that playstyle. All-in-all, Fortnite caters to just about everyone’s needs, and if you have even a remote interest in battle royales, it’s the place to be.
Written by Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
