Fortnite has taken the gaming world by storm. As a matter of fact, over 250 million people have played since its launch. Battle Royale mode of Fortnite is free, and it’s attracting all kinds of users.
Since Fortnite’s launch in 2017, video game players are looking for more games like Fortnite. Keep reading to find out the best similar games and how to get them.
What Are Battle Royale Games?
Battle Royale video games are games that come down to survival. They feature gameplay that encourages exploration, scavenging, and survival. There are a lot of survival games out there, but Battle Royales are a league of their own.
We’ve seen Battle Royales before in several types of media: The Hunger Games is one popular novel trilogy-turned-movie that made battle royales a household theme.
Like in The Hunger Games, Battle Royale game rounds begin with multiple players. These players are slowly killed off by others (or kicked off of the gameplay map as some maps will slowly shrink to force players to come face-to-face, rather than hiding on the outskirts of the map).
Players are given one life and in most versions of this popular gameplay, can’t respawn during rounds. There can only be one winner and that person typically wins some sort of prize: whether it’s virtual game currency, experience points, or equipment for gameplay.
Battle Royale games started popping up in 2012, and have become popular in the mainstream gaming arena as of 2018.
Why Are Battle Royale Games So Popular?
Because many games like Fortnite are free to play, they attract a huge player base. Younger crowds are able to play and compete without having to spend their allowance on the game. Not only that, but the player versus player gameplay is fun for all involved.
Battle Royale games have the potential for low overhead, since only one map needs to be created. The ability to customize your characters is also an attractive feature.
Another thing to note is the ability to play these games anywhere. If you’re not a hardcore gamer, there are browser games available. You can download Fortnite and other battle royale games from your phone’s app store, or you can purchase full versions for every platform imaginable. When you’re able to play on the go, it becomes so much easier to become an expert — and to win.
Last but certainly not least: it feels really good to win. Battle Royale games have one very clear winner. Unlike other games which may not offer an explicit winner, Battle Royale games do. There is no question whether you’ve won or lost (and everyone can agree that winning is so much fun).
Battle Royale Games Like Fortnite
At this point, there are so many Battle Royale games that it’s safe to say they’re a dime a dozen. You can find them virtually anywhere, and many of them are free to play. However, some games do stand apart because of unique maps, gameplay, special abilities, features, prizes, and more.
Check out this list of Battle Royale games like Fortnite, which includes details regarding their distinctive features and also indicates what sets them apart.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds A.K.A. PUBG
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, also known as “PUBG” was born before Fortnite. In fact, it seems like many of the details in Fortnite may have been inspired by the gameplay of PUBG. These games have a lot in common.
However, in contrast with Fortnite, PUBG’s graphics are more realistic. Gameplay in PUBG can get really intense because it is more realistic. PUBG players are typically more cautious — seeking safety while lining up their next headshot, instead of running toward the action as Fortnite players are wont to do.
PUBG and Fortnite continue to evolve, with updated versions released periodically.
PUBG released a free version earlier this year, so the game is available to all users. Paid versions are available on other operating systems.
Release date: March 23, 2017
Price range: Free to $29.99
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android
Maelstrom
Maelstrom is unique in that the game has a Kickstarter campaign, allowing users to assist in funding the game in exchange for cool game bundles. Besides the Kickstarter, the gameplay sets itself apart from other games like Fortnite because it’s set in ships on the water.
Release date: April 11, 2018
Price range: $19.99
Available on: PC
Minecraft
Minecraft isn’t what you’d call a Battle Royale, typically. However, on the “Hunger Games” Minecraft server, you can find Battle Royale-esque gameplay, where players are culled until only one remains.
Release date: May 17, 2009
Price range: Free to $26.95
Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and more
Apex Legends
Apex Legends is a relative newcomer to the Battle Royale front but is definitely holding its own. Apex Legends counts fifty million players — a significant number for a new release, compared to Fortnite. It took only eight hours for the game to reach a million players.
A downside of that unexpected explosive growth is that it’s a lot for the fledgling game to handle. Rest assured that the game developers are working hard to rectify these issues and ensure seamless gameplay in the coming months.
Release date: February 4, 2019
Price range: Free to play, with in-app purchases and external purchases available to enhance play
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout
This multi-player first-person shooter game features a Battle Royale mode called Blackout. In past iterations of Call of Duty, there was not a Battle Royale mode.
Call of Duty’s Battle Royale mode has a few customizations available. “Close Quarters” is just what it sounds like: forcing players into a more competitive mode to battle it out in close proximity to one another. Also available is “Fast Collapse,” a game style that minimizes the gameplay map quicker than normal.
Release date: October 12, 2018
Price range: $39.99 – $59.99
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation
Ring of Elysium
Ring of Elysium is a class of its own when it comes to Battle Royale games. It differs from your typical Battle Royale game because users aren’t dropped onto the map: instead, they’re able to select where they’ll start the game. Not only that, but you can see where others are choosing to spawn, too — giving you time to get your game plan in place.
Also unlike most Battle Royale games, users have a starter kit of sorts: they don’t have to scavenge for supplies or weapons, because these are given to your character before the melee begins.
Release date: September 19, 2018
Price range: Free to play
Available on: PC
The Culling
The Culling features only sixteen players for their Battle Royale. The game is a free to play title — something that came about after the sequel game (aptly titled The Culling 2) failed to impress players, who are enamored with Fortnite and PUBG. The game couldn’t pull enough users to run full matches, which lead to developers revisiting The Culling and focusing on making it free for all users.
Release date: March 4, 2016
Price range: Free to play
Available on: Linux, PC, Xbox One
Realm Royale
A spin-off of the game Paladins, Realm Royale features multi-tier characters (not unlike Diablo 3) whom all have unique abilities. The game allows “Squad” play mode, so players can form teams of four each. Players who are knocked down are transformed into a chicken, and can sometimes be revived if they survive in this form.
Release date: June 5, 2018
Price range: Free to play
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Dying Light: Bad Blood
This Battle Royale has a frightening twist: zombies. This game pits you against eleven other plays on the battlefield. The game is interesting because it’s not just PvP (player versus player) but also PvE (player versus environment) — a true PvPvE.
Release date: September 13, 2018
Price range: $19.99
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Rapture Rejects
Have you ever seen those Cyanide and Happiness comics?
Those sarcastic little cartoon characters have sprung to life in this post-apocalyptic Battle Royale game. In Rapture Rejects, you’re fighting your way to the pearly gates of heaven. Last man (or woman) standing makes it in.
Release date: November 29, 2018
Price range: $19.99
Available on: PC
Stormdivers
This game hasn’t been released yet, but a 17-hour beta that ran in January on Steam was super promising.
Players are equipped with special abilities (you can choose from powers like teleporting, invisibility, and self-healing), jet packs, and hoverbikes. The futuristic PvP game also allows you to play in duos mode, so grab your bestie before this release.
Release date: Coming in 2019
Price range:
Available on: PC
Last Tide
One word sets this game apart from your run of the mill Battle Royale: underwater. You read that right: this game is set underwater. Fight against ninety-nine other players, sharks, megalodons, and more in this notable game map.
Squad up. Dive in. Try to win.
Release date: August 2018 for early access
Price range: $24.95
Available on: PC
Surviv.io
This 2-d game is free to play and easy to access. Play directly in your browser, or on your phone (available for iOS and Android). Like most Battle Royale games, you have just one life — no respawning in this game.
It’s top-down gameplay, meaning you view the map and your character from above. You have to choose the right weapons and gear in order to win.
Release date: October 2017
Price range: Free to play
Available on: Web browser, iOS, Android
Super Animal Royale
This top-down indie game lets you play as an adorable, bloodthirsty animal. Whether you’re a tiger, fox, or panda, you’ll always have a full player match as the game will populate the map with AI opponents if there aren’t enough live players to do so.
Right now, you can play solo or duos and a squad mode is in the works for a future update. There are over sixty animal breeds to unlock and play.
Release date: December 12, 2018
Price range: Free to $12.99
Available on: PC, Macintosh OS
Radical Heights
This game is in early access — essentially, while the game is playable, the developers are still working on creating the best version of the game before a full release.
That said, the 80’s-inspired map lends itself to funny and irreverent gameplay. Zip lines, BMX bikes, and game show sets make this Battle Royale attractive and fun.
Release date: April 10, 2018
Price range: Free to play
Available on: PC
Islands of Nyne
Islands of Nyne is a fifty-player Battle Royale game. It’s free to play, but it wasn’t always. The game became too much of a financial burden for its developers, who transitioned the game from paid play to free back in 2018.
Islands of Nyne is faster-paced than most games like Fortnite. The battle-scape is diverse and unlike most other Battle Royale games in that it allows players to really explore the whole map. Even though this one is no longer being updated, it’s definitely still one to try.
Release date: July 12, 2018
Price range: Free to play
Available on: PC
Gotta Have More Battle Royale?
Many of the games mentioned above are in early access, meaning there’s a ton of room to grow.
The Battle Royale game genre is growing and adapting daily. Don’t expect this type of gameplay to go anywhere any time soon — you will surely be able to find all types of games like Fortnite. As the genre grows, there will absolutely be more cool maps, features, abilities, and twists on Battle Royale to explore.
Ready to check out some other games? Here are some 2019 blockbusters.
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