‘Fortnite’ offers a promising idea that needs fleshing out
Early Access games are double-edged swords. On one hand, fans get eagerly anticipated projects before they’re officially released to everyone. At the same time, these offerings aren’t exactly polished.
What fans download is essentially a beta version, where they can enjoy the core experience even though it’s far from complete. That’s what players run into with Epic Games’ “Fortnite,” initially announced in 2011. This game has a had a long slog toward completion.
Still, the Early Access version brings players a compelling experience, as they take on the role of commander in a postapocalyptic world. A mysterious storm has spawned zombielike creatures called husks, which lay waste to civilization.
In the role of commander, players must establish a beachhead for survivors and expand safe zones. That means teaming up with others online to scavenge for materials and fire off a device called the Atlas, which clears away husk- spawning storms.
It’s a cooperative experience with a foundation in the “Gears of War” horde mode. A group of four collaborate to fend off waves of husks, but Epic has expanded that vision to include a “Minecraft”-like element. Players collect materials and clear the environment to defend the Atlas. In the process, they also run across survivors and have opportunities to achieve other bonus objectives.
Scavenging is vital in “Fortnite,” since players use the collected materials to build forts. Both strategy and creativity factor in.
The structures they build make it easier for players to see and mow down enemies. They can create a gauntlet of traps, or barriers that funnel husks to a kill zone manned by teammates.
The building process is similar to base-building in “Fallout 4,” but streamlined so players can do it on the fly during combat or exploration. If they get
trapped in a closed- off basement while scavenging, they can build a stairway to get out. Sometimes they’ll come across blueprints for towers, which they can use to build the structure and unlock a radar system that shows all the treasure chests on the map.
Once the four types of heroes — soldier, constructor, ninja and outlander — are added in, “Fortnite” has a great base experience. Each class specializes in a specific role, but the game doesn’t slavishly force players to diversify the squad. The bare bones of Epic Games’ latest project have the hallmarks of a winner.
Unfortunately, it’s everything else that “Fortnite” gets wrong. The game does an awful job of teaching players the finer points of its systems. And though they constantly acquire loot, the prizes are tied to obtuse systems that are cumbersome to use.
For example, players must deal with different types of survivors. One group boosts a hero’s stats, while defensive survivors can be called on to guard forts, but devour ammo and end up as useless. Elsewhere, players uncover schematics that help them create powerful weapons, but must gather rare resources to complete these weapons.
The powerful weapons can be leveled up, but that requires even more exotic materials — which discourages upgrading.
Confused? The number of options is bewildering. It needs to be streamlined. That’s something Epic Games will likely do as fans offer feedback.
Though players don’t get a polished product with Early Access, their feedback helps shape the game — and hopefully makes it a winner. Contact Gieson Cacho at 925-943-8313.