Fortnite (for PC) Review (2024)

Fortnite is still the battle royale game to beat. It has a lot going for it, including approachable gameplay modes, bright and zany graphics, an excellent construction system, and a huge player base. Unfortunately, iffy combat and microtransactions detract from the experience, but, as Fortnite is a free-to-play game, genre fans should give it a shot.

Pricing and Platforms

Fortnite actually has two main gameplay elements: a player vs. environment (PvE) setup called Save the World and the mode I reviewed, which comprises the meat of the game: Battle Royale. Epic Games recently announced that Save the World will remain a paid experience, after originally promising that it would go the free-to-play route. On the web (and at the time of this update), it costs $15.99 to access this mode.

Epic Games recently announced Fortnite Crew, an $11.99-per-month subscription, which gives you full access to each Battle Pass and 1,000 bonus V-Bucks every month. This subscription also gives you exclusive outfit bundles.

If you don't already have an Epic Games account, all you need to do is sign up with an email address. Then, you can download Fortnite for free from the Epic Games Store. The game download is about 20GB, so it could take a while to install if you have a slow internet connection. Although you can jump into the action at no cost, there are microtransactions. I discuss Fortnite's microtransactions in more detail later in the review.

Currently, Fortnite is available on Mac, PC, PlayStation (4 and 5), Xbox One (S, X, and Series X or S), Nintendo Switch, and Android. Due to an ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games, Fortnite is no longer available from the App Store, though you can play it via Nvidia's GeForce Now game streaming platform. Fortnite's cross-play capabilities let players match up across desktop, mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch platforms. The Save the World mode is not available on mobile devices or the Nintendo Switch.

If you want to virtually chill with friends while you play Fortnite, now you can. Fortnite integrates with the Houseparty app, so PC and PlayStation players can video chat with each other during a match.

Familiar Gameplay

If you have ever played Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), then Fortnite's battle royale concept should be familiar. Your goal is to be the last person, pair, squad, or team standing. Survive as long as you can and take down anyone in your way. There are some differences, such as a completely different art style and Fortnite's construction system (more on both later), but it's disappointing that Epic Games did not do more to differentiate the game. Although Fortnite is more accessible than PUBG, it still won't hurt to take a look at our Fortnite survival guide, especially if you are just starting out with the game. Not sure which game to play? Our comparison between PUBG and Fortnite should help you choose.

During my review time, I had the option to try several different modes such as Solo, Duo, Squad (four-player teams), Team Rumble (20-player teams), Arena (competitive matches), and Party Royale (non-combat). Fortnite added the 20-player mode during my last review period, so it is likely that the number and types of modes could change in future updates. I appreciate the game's quick matchmaking. Regardless of the multiplayer mode I selected, it usually took less than a minute to be added to a match.

The pre-match staging area is situated on an island just off the coast of the main map itself. It's entertaining to peer off the side and see the entire playable landscape in a panoramic view. At most, you get a couple of minutes to explore the island, test out some mechanics, or just finalize your strategy before the battle begins. There's no bridge to the main map, so naturally, you fly in aboard the Battle Bus, a bright blue school bus, complete with a gigantic balloon and blaring sound system.

Once you find a good drop spot (and preferably one far away from other players) you jump out and begin a rapid free-fall descent. The game's physics let you cover a significant distance in any direction, so don't worry if you accidentally drop out over the wrong area of the map. Deploy your glider at any point to slow your descent and soften your landing (it deploys automatically once you get close enough to the ground).

You fly into each match aboard the Battle Bus, a bright blue school bus, complete with a blaring sound system.

After landing, you can take a few moments to gather yourself and enjoy the enchanting surroundings, but the peace won't last long. Shortly thereafter, a storm forms, and you must trek in the direction of its eye if you want to survive. However, you also need to watch out for other players. Eliminate them if you can or simply avoid detection. If you fall within an enemy's sight or behind the pace of the storm, you will die pretty quickly. Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode follows a similar script.

In some modes, there is an intermediary stage between life and death, in which your character gets knocked down to the ground. In this state, you can only move around by crawling and cannot use any weapons or health packs. To regain vitality, a teammate must heal you. Needless to say, enemy players and the storm itself can finish you off easily once you are knocked down. In any case, once you die, the camera switches to the perspective of your killer or a teammate (if you are in a team mode).

Weak Weapons

Fortnite is generous with its weapons dispersal. Nearly every area I visited had at least one weapon available for the taking, though many had multiple. The only potential downside of this abundance is that every other player that you come across will likely also have a gun (or two). Don't bother trying to fight off an armed enemy with your ax: It won't end well. Try hiding or running away, instead.

Fortnite's shooting mechanics, however, aren't precise. Aiming, firing, and reloading are clunky experiences. The closer you can get to an enemy, the better your chances to eliminate them. The reverse is true, too. If you can create a good amount of distance between yourself and another player, the foe will have a much harder time hitting you. PUBG does a much better job, in this regard. Its weapons all have a distinct, accurate feel and excellent sound. That said, Fortnite's rockets and grenades are very satisfying to use.

Build (or Break) Everything

One of Fortnite's differentiating features (and one of it's most successful) is its construction mechanics. To craft anything, you first need to scavenge for resources. Nearly everything you see on the map is destructible. Buildings, household appliances, rocks, trees, and vehicles are just a few examples of what you can destroy with your ax. It's very satisfying to just chop down everything in sight without having to worry about running out of energy (your character does not have a stamina meter of any kind) or picking up scattered material (it adds them directly to your inventory).

Everything breaks down into three types of resources: wood, bricks, and metal. The differences aren't just cosmetic though. Structures built out of metal are strongest, followed by brick, and then wood. Although it's not particularly difficult to find any of these materials, the weaker ones are more prevalent. Using stronger materials also adds to the construction time, so if you are in a perilous situation, building a single wooden fence is the most effective way to protect yourself.

So, what exactly can you build? Your preset choices include a fence, a square floorboard, a ramp (or stairs), a pyramid, and a campfire. You can construct any of those items with any of the materials, with the exception of the campfire. The campfire is a special and difficult-to-find item, but it is an effective way to heal yourself or your teammates in team-based modes. Minecraft players will feel right at home with this system.

Fortnite is generous with its weapon dispersal. I found a weapon in most locations without much trouble.

Fortnite makes it easy to build massive and complex structures in very little time. You are only limited by your available resources. Even if you only scavenge for materials intermittently, this should never really come into play. The construction system is simple to master. Just select the structure type, choose a location, and hit the Build button. Don't worry about misplacing an item, since anything you build can be moved or modified.

There are obvious benefits to building structures, the primary of which is protection. If someone is shooting at you, for example, it may be a good idea to build a barrier for cover. If you are part of a larger team, you can combine resources to create sprawling fortresses. A tall enough building can also serve as an effective lookout tower. Take caution while building or scavenging. If someone sneaks up from behind, you most likely won't be able to draw your weapon in time. Also, regardless of what you build—a cozy little shelter or a towering safe haven—other players can destroy it. Like I mentioned, everything is destructible.

More Gameplay

Over its lifetime Fortnite has added various vehicles to the game, including shopping carts, All Terrain Karts (ATKs), X-4 Stormwings, Driftboards, Motorboats, and The Baller. Some vehicles are only available in certain gameplay modes and others are only available for limited times. Fortnite now offers far more vehicle variety than PUBG.

While players still cannot freely redeploy their glider throughout the match, Fortnite added (at one point) traps and pads into the game. For instance, Launch Pads propel you into the air and let you deploy a parachute and glide to safety. Bouncer Traps launch you in whatever direction you arrive at the trap. Both add combat layers and offer novel ways to escape potential dangers.

Note that fall damage exists in the Fortnite world. You can test the limits of these physics in many ways, none of which I recommend. For example, you could leap off the side of the island into the surrounding sea. This will kill you. You might even try to scurry off the side of a canyon to avoid detection. This will also lead to death. Let's say you jump off the edge of a tall structure to avoid an incoming rocket. Spoiler: this will end in death, as well.

Can Your PC Run Fortnite?

Whereas PUBG opted for a serious, more realistic visual style, Fortnite takes things to the opposite extreme. It uses bright colors, cartoon graphics and animations, and wacky locales. One is not necessarily better than the other and it really comes down to personal preference. Since Fortnite's only map (PUBG currently has four), is a lot smaller, however, there's less object pop-in, and locations have more world-building details. For example, Fortnite completely decked out a fast food restaurant I visited inside and out with bright posters on the wall, individual menus at each table, kitchen appliances in the back, and a gigantic revolving sign on top of the building. Additionally, Fortnite's lighthearted elements make for a less stressful experience than PUBG.

Fortnite recommends at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 GPU, an Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz CPU, and 8GB RAM. However, the minimum requirements are more accessible: an Intel HD 4000 GPU, an Intel Core i3 2.4 GHz processor, and 4GB RAM. Of course, people playing on PCs with lower-end specs will need to turn down the graphics level a bit to see smooth framerates

Don't get caught in the storm; it's hard to escape, and slowly drains your health.

I tested the game on a Dell Inspiron 5675 running Windows 10, with an RX 580 8GB GPU, a Ryzen 1700x processor, and 32GB RAM. I used FRAPS to benchmark the performance; my gaming rig kept things running between 60 to 70 frames per second (FPS) at the highest settings. The game lets you set a hard limit on the FPS if you want more consistent performance.

Like any other online multiplayer title, Fortnite Battle Royale requires an internet connection. I had no trouble running the game over my home Wi-Fi network. If you typically have problems with network latency, it might be wise to connect your PC directly to your Ethernet port. You wouldn't want to ruin your experience with a bad connection.

Customization Costs

As Fortnite is a free-to-play game, its microtransaction offerings are less surprising than in AAA titles, but they are still prevalent. The game lets you purchase V-Bucks using real money, which you can, in turn, use to buy-in game items. The current pricing tiers are as followed: $7.99 for 1,000 V-Bucks, $19.99 for 2,800, $31.99 for 5,000, and a whopping $79.99 for 13,500. Thankfully, these items are just cosmetic and do not give you any sort of performance advantage.

The purchasable items include outfits, emotes, and pickaxes. For reference, many of the Legendary outfits cost 2000 V-Bucks. Regardless, it's absolutely ridiculous to include the option to purchase $80 worth of V-Bucks in a free-to-play game. In addition to buying individual items, you can also purchase a Battle Pass with your V-Bucks. Battle Passes instantly unlock a batch of in-game loot and let you earn additional items by completing challenges.

Unfortunately, there's no way to upgrade your character's gear without V-Bucks. This isn't a deal breaker, since the game itself is free, but it will certainly prove annoying for anyone who puts a significant number of hours into the game. It's worth noting that you can earn V-Bucks by completing daily quests or other missions in-game. Ideally, Fortnite should let you unlock the vast majority of items through regular gameplay.

Mobile Madness

Fortnite is not currently available on the Play Store or App Store, but you can at least sideload it on Android devices. I originally tested the game on an iPhone 8 running iOS 11 (when it was still available on the platform) and a Samsung Galaxy S9+ running Android 8.0. Check out our guide on how to install Fortnite on Android and iOS devices.

If you play Fortnite on any other platform, then the mobile experience should be instantly familiar. All the menus and tabs are in the same place and joining a match is just as simple. However, the interface doesn't scale well at all, so I found myself squinting to read some elements. During the testing period, I explored the Solo and Squad game mode options.

I'm happy to report that the game did not lag during matches. However, this performance comes at the expense of the game's visuals. The environment retains its colorful aesthetics, but objects look misshapen and textures lack detail. A graphical downgrade is typical of any mobile game, but the difference is very noticeable here.

The controls work fine, but feel crowded, since they are positioned on both sides of the screen and on the bottom. For example, I often accidentally adjusted the camera angle when trying to chop down objects for resources. Also, due to the interface scaling, actions such as switching weapons or changing the construction material can feel tedious. However, Epic made improvements to the Fortnite gameplay on account of the smaller screen size. For example, when you run over a weapon, the game automatically adds it to your gear. And if you double-tap the movement joystick, the game automatically toggles sprinting.

It's impressive that developers Epic Games built a mobile version of the game that captures the overall experience so well. If you absolutely need to play Fortnite on the go, then the mobile version will scratch that itch. I still prefer the experience on PC, due to the superior controls and enhanced graphics.

Latest Fortnite Updates

Fortnite is a constantly evolving experience. Take, for example, Fortnite's Battle Lab (replaces the Playground mode), which enables players to create match and environment rules in custom matches. There's also a Creative mode in which you can explore game modes and maps created by other members of the community.

However, new modes are only a small part of Fortnite's constantly expanding wheelhouse of changes, especially as new seasons start. At the time of publishing, the current season (Chapter 2, Season 4) revolves around Marvel Comics characters. Chapter 2: Season 5 is set to begin in December.

Who can forget about the various Fortnite PR stunts and events over the years? For example, Fortnite capitalized on the Avengers: Infinity War craze with its "Infinity Gauntlet Limited Time Mashup" mode that let lucky players take on the role of Thanos in-game. Fortnite has hosted several virtual concerts. At the end of Chapter 1: Season X, Fortnite sent players through a black hole. I fully expect Epic Games to engage its audience with similar content and events in the future.

Free Fun

The battle royale concept is not new or unique at this point, so games in the genre need to do something to distinguish themselves. Fortnite's bright, fun graphics and novel construction mechanics are highly welcome in a genre that seems to have increasingly turned down dark and suspenseful paths. It's not a perfect game: The shooting mechanics need improvement, and it could benefit from scaling back microtransactions. Still, genre fans should give it a fair chance, especially since it is a free-to-play title.