Epic Games' Fortnite, renowned for its battle royale gameplay, is evolving into a broader gaming platform with the recent addition of two Lego-themed games. This expansion marks a significant shift in the game's focus, diversifying its offerings beyond its original format.
Fortnite meets Lego: A creative expansion
In December, the first game in this new series, ‘Lego Fortnite', made its debut. Resembling the popular game Minecraft, it offered a survival experience with a distinct Lego twist. Building on this success, Fortnite has introduced two additional Lego games: ‘Lego Raft Survival' and ‘Lego Obby Fun'. The former is a multiplayer game centred around survival on a raft, while the latter is an engaging obstacle course challenge. Both games are created using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite, showcasing the versatility of this tool.
This move is part of Epic's strategy to transform Fortnite into a platform for various gaming experiences. Following ‘Lego Fortnite', the company released ‘Rocket Racing', an arcade-style racing game, and ‘Fortnite Festival', a music-themed game. This diversification represents a shift from Fortnite's original battle royale roots to a multi-genre gaming hub.
Lego Fortnite and new gaming modes
Epic Games has undoubtedly been upping its game with Fortnite's Chapter 5. They've introduced a slew of new experiences, starting with Lego Fortnite. This one's quite the treat, especially if you're into survival games with a creative twist. Imagine the sandbox fun of Minecraft but with the vibrant aesthetics of Lego – that's the vibe here. Players get to build, explore, and survive in a familiar and refreshingly new world, thanks to the Lego element.
Then there's Rocket Racing, a mode of collaborative effort with Rocket League developers Psyonix. This mode is a real adrenaline rush if you're into high-speed chases and competitive racing. It blends the fast-paced racing action with Fortnite's dynamic gameplay, offering a new avenue for competition and fun.
Fortnite Festival: A musical adventure
The third edition is the Fortnite Festival, a unique blend of music and gameplay. Think of it as Rock Band meets Fortnite. Players get to take the main stage, jamming out to popular hits and Epic Games originals. However, there's a twist: it only supports standard controller input at launch. So, if you were hoping to dust off those Rock Band instruments, you might have to wait a bit longer. Epic Games has acknowledged this and is working on bringing instrument controller support to the game.
Monetisation and accessibility
While Fortnite Festival is free to play, there's a catch in its monetisation strategy. Individual songs outside the daily rotation cost about US$5 each, raising some eyebrows. However, there's also a Festival Pass, costing 1800 V-Bucks, which includes a variety of songs, skins, and other cosmetics. For those who don't want to spend, a free track in the Festival Passathat allows access to certain songs and rewards.
A diverse gaming experience
What stands out in these updates is how Fortnite continues to evolve beyond its battle royale roots. These new modes offer diverse experiences, from creative building and survival in Lego Fortnite to high-speed racing in Rocket Racing and a musical adventure in Fortnite Festival. It's a testament to Epic Games' commitment to keeping the game fresh and engaging for its vast player base.
Final thoughts
Fortnite's latest chapter is a blend of innovation, creativity, and nostalgia (especially for those who miss the Rock Band days). While some aspects, like the monetisation strategy in Fortnite Festival, might be a bit contentious, it's clear that Epic Games is pushing the envelope regarding what we can expect from a single game. Whether you're a builder, racer, musician, or just a fan of Fortnite's ever-evolving world, this chapter has something new and exciting to explore.
