Over the past few weeks, you may have heard someone confidently say that Fornite is better than PUBG. But what does that really mean, what is the argument here and who is right?
For several months now, a raging debate has taken the gaming world by storm. And, much to the annoyance of many non-gamers, has entered conversations everywhere.
For those who don’t know, both Fortnite and PUBG, short for Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds, belong to the now wildly popular Battle Royale genre of video games. The objective of the game is to be the last remaining player or team by eliminating other players or simply surviving until the end.
The main argument is which game is the better Battle Royale game. PUBG was the first game to popularize the Battle Royale genre and brought it into the spotlight. Fortnite, on the other hand, exploded in popularity on its release and soon became the most popular Battle Royale Game on the market.
What is the difference between the two games that have the same goals and objectives? Even though both games may seem similar they offer radically different gameplay experiences and play styles.
The biggest difference between the two is not found in gameplay, it is found in the differences between the two as products. Fortnite is free to play and is available on all game consoles. PUBG normally costs $40 and is currently available only on Xbox One and PC.
PUBG is the more realistic of the two. The art style is trying to look as close to real life as possible. The towns and landscapes resemble abandoned civilizations and players conform to more real-life constraints. For instance, you need a backpack to carry more items and you need gas cans to refuel cars.
Personally, I love this game as the long periods of sneaking around and the uneventful moments only stand to heighten the periods of high adrenaline action. This game starts off slow and builds up suspense and momentum as you play through it, much like a classic thriller movie, where it resolves with a big climax at the last stages of the game.
Fortnite, the second and more popular of the two games, has a more cartoony style. The gameplay feels much more like a classic arcade game, with players constantly zigzagging and hopping back and forth during fights.
Fortnite also introduced a building mechanic to the game, adding a layer of complexity. Players obtain materials in-game and use them to build different constructs. Fortnite players have created walls for cover, stairs to climb mountains and even giant wooden llamas.
I love playing Fortnite with my friends, and I probably play this game more often. The wackiness of the aesthetic always provide a good laugh, and the building aspect adds a great layer of skill level and creativity to the game. Fortnite matches are also typically shorter and more intense during the entirety of the game. with a smaller map comes more encounters with enemies and a much faster-paced game.
I do think both games are great in their own ways. both have their own strengths and weaknesses, but because of how different the games actually are, it would be hard to say which is "better" as both are better at different things.
Because of the drastic difference in play styles, fans of both games are normally extremely loyal to their personal favorite of the two.
Fans of both games are quick to criticize the opposing game and fanbase. Comments such as “Our game came first.” Or “Our game broke more records.” Have been thrown back and forth between the fanbases with neither side wanting to concede.
In January 2018, Bluehole, the company behind PUBG, filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, for copyright infringement. This only went on to fuel the fire between the two groups of gamers.
Despite the lawsuit, both games continue to grow bigger and stronger. PUBG is set to launch its third map this summer. And even with its one map, Fortnite is adding and changing the map all the time to keep a new and exciting feeling for the game.
Whichever game you prefer, it is undeniable that Fortnite and PUBG have shed new light on the Battle Royale genre of gaming and it only looks like it will get bigger.
With several popular game titles announcing that they will be including a battle royale mode in their next installments, the future is looking bright for battle royale fans everywhere.
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