Battle royale games have all but taken over in recent years, taking center stage in streaming popularity and attracting hardcore and casual gamers alike. And it makes sense - battle royales offer a unique competitive multiplayer experience. Nothing feels better than clutching a fight and coming out on top; you were better than everyone else in the server and victory is now yours. But there are several options out there, and the learning curve for some titles may feel too steep for new players to overcome. Also, many battle royale games play entirely differently, and certain styles will appeal to different people. So, if you’ve been wondering which battle royale suites your play style, check out this list and find that perfect match.
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PUBG: Battlegrounds
The first battle royale game on the list isPUBG: Battlegrounds. Released in December of 2017,PUBGwas one of the first gamesto popularize the battle royale genre. Players should expect an unforgiving game that has realistic gunplay, the most noticeable part being bullet drop. There is no hitscan in this game (meaning that bullets actively travel towards their targets with realistic physics as opposed to instantly registering after shooting), so there is a sense of realism when it comes to how you land your shots. Another aspect that may entice players is that of suspense and tension.PUBGthrives on building an environment that creates suspense. A large majority of your time may be spent isolating where a shot came from and where you will be safe from enemy sights. The overall pacing is slow with bursts of intensity thrown in whenever two players meet. Another feature that the game offers is the ability to swap your perspective from first-person to third-person at will. If you would rather only play in first-person, they have a mode dedicated to just that as well. Both have their own pros and cons, but if you’re looking to figure out which view you prefer, then this is a great game to compare the two. If you enjoy the thrill of taking foes out without warning and you want a challenging game that throws you right into the thick of things, thenPUBGmay be a good place to look. Players seeking a more casual game may want to look elsewhere however, asPUBGoffers a steep challenge that will demolish those who are unprepared.
WhilePUBGmight have started the trend of battle royale games,Fortnitetook the premise and made it all its own. What immediately setsFortniteapart from other games on this list is the unique game mechanic of resource management and building. During a match, players will have to find and collect resource in order to create structures for defense. What started as an opportunity for creative builders to fabricate bases quickly mutated into a contest of speed to fabricate the tallest towers in the shortest amount of time. The gunplay inFortniteis very simple, which makes it easier to comprehend to those who may be new to shooters in general. The game includes guns with both hitscan and projectiles, so it offers something for both playstyles. With a cartoonish style and collaborations with just about everything you could imagine fromThe AvengerstoHalotoRick and Morty,Fortnitedefinitely can appeal to a more casual audience. Don’t be fooled though, becauseFortnitehas a very competitive scene to it as well. Those who master the building mechanic will quickly find themselves in advantageous positions against those who would dare oppose them.Fortniteis a perfect game for those who may want to start on a more casual tone with the chance to up the stakes once they feel comfortable with the mechanics.
Call of Duty: Warzone
A spinoff of the popular FPS franchise,Call of Duty: Warzoneis one of the newer battle royale games. This entry does not deviate too much from the formula of other battle royale games, but there area few aspectsthat set it apart from the rest. For one, there is a greater emphasis on vehicle usage within the game. Players can drive ATVs, cargo trucks, and even fly a helicopter to give themselves extra mobility at the cost of exposing themselves to anyone with a working set of ears and eyeballs. The other mechanic that really setsWarzoneapart from other entries in this list is the ability to respawn once for free in the match…if you can earn it. Defeated players will find themselves in what is called the Gulag. In the Gulag, two players are given identical, low-grade loadouts and pitted against one another in a fight to the death for the opportunity to return to the battlefield. The winner gets respawned, and the loser gets eliminated and forced to spectate their living allies. Respawn tokens can also be purchased by living teammates at buy stations to respawn their Gulag-trapped allies should they fail their challenge. Speaking of buy stations, these are locations on the map which players may use to purchase upgrades to give themselves an edge in battle using currency earned during the match. Some items include UAVs, those respawn tokens mentioned previously, and a munitions box. All in all,Call of Duty: Warzoneoffers you the same type of experience one would get from playing other entries in the series. If you like how otherCall of Dutygames play, you’ll almost certainly likeWarzone.
Apex Legends
Taking place in the same universe ofTitanfall,Apex Legendsis a battle royale game that chooses to emphasize the characters above all else. Players will find themselves in squads of two or three depending on which mode you choose, and with 19 legends to choose from as of the release of Season 11, there’san ever expanding numberof possible team combinations. Each legend has their own kit that they bring to the battlefields, and with abilities that range from revealing enemy locations to securing positions with traps to making sure your squad always has the best loot around,Apex Legendstries to offer a playstyle for everyone. If you like to be more passive or just aren’t as confident in your shooting abilities, then legends such as Lifeline or Loba may help you ensure that you’re still a valuable asset to your team. On the other hand, those who prefer to run head-first into battles may be tempted to play Octane or Wraith. Gunplay inApex Legendsgoes back to a primary focus on projectiles over hitscan with the exception of one weapon, that being the Charge Rifle. This means that players who want to improve will have to learn how to properly compensate their shots at longer ranges. Recoil is another aspect of gunplay that, while not necessary to learn to play the game, will help tremendously when ascending from casual to competitive play. The third major difference thatApex Legendshas over other battle royale shooters is movement. From sliding to wall jumps, jump pads to jetpacks, you’ll rarely find yourself sitting still in a match, and good movement can be the difference between a thrilling victory and being sent back to the lobby with your tail between your legs. With multiple modes split between casual and ranked matches,Apex Legendstruly offers something for everyone, as long as you’re willing to work as part of a team.
Hunt: Showdown
If you’re looking for a gritty battle royale that also has a heavy focus on PvE (player versus environment), look no further thanHunt: Showdown. This battle royale takes place in 1895 in the swampy Louisiana Bayou, and players are tasked with cleansing the map of nightmarish creatures that have infested various areas. Matches start with groups of one, two, or three players hunting for clues in order to narrow down where these boss monsters lie. Along the way, there are a plethora of monsters and obstacles meant to deter progress. What is by far the most important aspect of this game is sound. Running will attract unnecessary attention from both creatures and enemy players alike, and gunfire rings loud and far. Every action you take is a calculated risk, and players will find themselves trying to accomplish tasks while making as little noise as possible to avoid unnecessary attention.Hunt: Showdownforces players into intense situations where you’ll want to clear your objective and leave as soon as possible. Victory isn’t achieved primarily through killing other players, but by staying alive and exiting the map through one of the randomized exits with bounties dropped from those nightmare boss monsters mentioned earlier. Just claiming a bounty doesn’t guarantee victory though. Get killed while making your way to the exit and you lose the bounty, along with all the gear you were carrying. Another challenging aspect ofHunt: Showdownis character death. You aren’t just playing as a random skin every match. You actively recruit characters with skills and build loadouts that you take into the field, and if you die then you lose all of the gear you were carrying along with that character. Don’t worry though, as you’re able to still earn money to buy new gear by simply finding clues and finding the boss' lair. Even killing the boss itself gives a bit of money, and there is a baseline of guns and daily recruits you get for free, so you will never run into the issue of having nothing to use.Hunt: Showdownis the epitome of high risk, high reward gameplay. Casual players will almost certainly wish to look elsewhere, but competitive players may find this game becoming their new top pick once they get the process down.
Spellbreak
Spellbreakis a battle royale game that might have slipped under many players' radars. It offers a fantasy twist to the competitive genre, casting players as rival wizards in a magic battle.Spellbreak’s unique mechanic revolves around elemental gauntlets and the combinations that they bring. Mix the wind gauntlet’s tornado ability with a fire gauntlet attack and watch as the flames rise into the spiraling vortex! Shut down an opponent’s toxic cloud with a chilling ice shard propelled from your frost gauntlet. With six gauntlets to choose from (with more planned to be released in the future), players can mix any two different elemental gauntlets to offer a gameplay style that best suites them. Instead of traditional ammo,Spellbreakuses a mana system instead. If you fully deplete your mana, you will have to wait until it recharges before slinging spells again. On top of the abilities given by gauntlets, players can find runes that grant them various abilities such as invisibility and teleportation. These runes mixed with the ability to hover at any point (so long as you have the mana to spend) adds a clever dynamic toSpellbreakin which victory depends on outmaneuvering your opponents. Expect to be looking up and down constantly as you and your opponents bounce around attempting to weave safely through the flurry of projectiles being thrown back and forth.Spellbreakoffers a system that is easy to learn but difficult to master, meaning that it can offer something for both casual and competitive players alike. Plus, if fantasy is more your style, then it definitely will be worth your time.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
Are shooters not your forte? That’s okay!Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockouthas got you covered. This quirky game blew up in the summer of 2020 and has since become the top pick for players who would rather nail jumps than nail headshots. With a vibrant art style, a unique focus on platforming, and a plethora of wacky minigames with names such as Hoopsie Daisy and The Whirlygig,Fall Guysis definitely appealing to a more casual audience. However, that doesn’t mean that competitive players should overlook this game entirely. The controls are intentionally designed to be a little slippery, and players may struggle to maintain full control of their character as it tumbles around like a rag doll. The other unique gameplay mechanic thatFall Guysbrings is the ability to grab anything and anyone that’s in your way. Many players have learned to utilize this ability to both complete challenges and hinder opponents. For example, in some minigames there may be a pit that players are required to jump over. Plan your moves accordingly and you can grab someone right as they jump, sending them back to the beginning and securing yourself the lead. But if you manage to learn the secrets of diving and grabbing then you will find yourself outplaying the competition in no time. Overall,Fall Guysleans towards the more casual side of battle royale games, and that’s okay! If you want to have a fun, silly time while still challenging yourself then this is definitely the game for you.
Those who are familiar with the Netflix seriesSquid Gamemay have heard about the goofy spoof battle royale titleCrab Game. A free to play game that released in October of this year, it is quickly becoming the game of choice for those who want to compete but also don’t want to take things too seriously. Like the show, players compete ina small variety of minigamesto determine the sole survivor. Unlike other battle royale games, however, matches can potentially end with no winner at all. Nobody is safe, and betrayal could be around every corner. If you are looking for a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but you still want the thrill of being the best around, then this is definitely the game for you. However, competitive players will likely have to look elsewhere, as there is a decent amount of randomness to some of the minigames such as Bustling Button.
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