There are a lot of video games out there and in this era of mobile and home-based gaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic?
Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable games through the years.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to games with a battle royale theme. From addictive puzzle titles to chaotic first-person shooters, you have a lot of games to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Call of Duty: Warzone
When it comes to FPS titles, Call of Duty is often discussed in public circles. While the franchise saw a dip in quality at one point in time, Activision brought the series back to its feet with Call of Duty: Warzone. This game offers a variety of content for players to seek their teeth into. It also takes a few nods from the ever-growing third-person shooter franchise, Fortnite.
In Warzone, players can compete against 149 other players in a prolific battle-royale mode. The game includes cross-play support, allowing players with different consoles to play together or against each other. The game runs smoothly for those who have a system or PC that can handle its realistic visuals and high-definition output. For those curious, the game’s free-to-play. If you’re looking to relive your adolescent memories with the franchise, this is a fun way to do it.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a powerhouse in the gaming industry. Even when fans think the game’s perished, Epic Games implements visually enticing aspects in Fortnite to grab players back for another round. With its remarkable Battle Pass system, colorful world, and fun third-person shooter gameplay, you’ll find yourself having immense fun with this one.
While the game has several modes for you to play, its main battle royale mode is the most alluring. In it, players hop off the game’s soaring bus and arrive on a large island full of hazards, buildings, and wildlife. Your goal is to be the last one standing by the match’s conclusion. You’ll use different weapons to defeat your opponents and certain items to heal yourself.
However, you must locate these weapons by traversing the game’s overworld. Fortnite’s cosmetics are alluring and well-designed. You’ll find merchandise from multiple franchises, even those that aren’t related to video games. From Marvel’s Iron Man to Dragon Ball’s Goku, the possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for a well-crafted free-to-play battle royale game, this one’s worth your time.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is an entertaining party game with a simple premise. In it, you’ll navigate bean-shaped individuals through an obstacle course full of hazards and other opponents online. You must reach the course’s goal to move on to the next round. The obstacles can be tough to overcome, especially if you stumble upon players who want to make you suffer.
This game is free-to-play like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. You can customize your bean-like characters in many ways to make your experience feel more personalized. Fall Guys receives consistent updates, so there’s no need to worry about the game becoming lifeless anytime soon. This game feels more humor-oriented than Fornite and Warzone.
If you’re looking for a silly free-to-play party game to play with your relatives and friends, check this one out.
Darwin Project
Darwin Project is an amusing battle-royale game. It takes place in a dystopian landscape in the Northern Canadian Rockies. To prepare for the Ice Age, several humans launched the Darwin Project. This project involves 10 participants duking it out in a snowy arena to see who’ll come out on top.
The arena contains several unique settings from tree houses to lava-filled zones. Each game’s hosted by a Show Director who will implement unique methods to make each match entertaining. Players will enjoy using bear traps and other gizmos to thwart their opponents’ strategies. The game includes a fun spectator mode that allows watchers to tamper with your game.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult for newcomers to find a match because not many people play the game. On the other hand, it’s free-to-play and players could rally up some friends to play it. If you’re searching for an entertaining battle-royale game to play with buddies, consider checking this one out.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends is a competitive FPS game. In it, players venture through a robust environment with the goal of defeating enemy players. It doesn’t offer any single-player mode, so don’t expect a solid narrative to arise from this title. It’s a multiplayer-focused shooter game that’s best played when you need to get something off your mind.
To some extent, it’s a great comfort option for those who need to let out some steam. The game can take a while for newcomers to master. The characters have unique abilities and can choose from a myriad of weapons to use in combat. This game encourages players to coordinate strategies with teammates. If you’re not a social person, you may not like Apex Legends.
Socializing and strategizing with teammates will help you achieve victory. It’ll also assist players in developing new techniques with their weapons and building strong friendships with players they’ve never met before. With its consistent updates, entertaining shooter gameplay, and astonishing visuals, you’re bound to enjoy this game.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a funny battle royale shooter with realistic visuals and captivating gameplay. In it, players board a flying vehicle and drop to their desired part of the map. You’ll traverse the map and search for items that will assist you in surviving the match. The game also features a storm system that works similarly to Fortnite’s.
Essentially, you’ll travel to a specific location to avoid taking damage. The game features some intriguing cosmetics and often receives collaborations with many media franchises. Some collaborations are popular while others are niche. This game makes you feel more vulnerable than Fortnite does, though. Don’t expect to build any barriers to avoid taking damage in this game. It’s all about skill and careful planning. If that sounds up your alley, then I suggest giving PUBG a shot.
Tetris 99
Tetris is a well-known gaming franchise. While it may not look appealing to modern gamers, this game has addictive gameplay, great sound design, and can feel rewarding to play. One day, Nintendo announced a battle royale version of Tetris for its Nintendo Switch Online Service. Enter Tetris 99, a game that’ll have you raging, sweating, and shouting.
In it, players are put up against 99 other Nintendo Switch Online users. You’ll battle to the very end until one of you remains. Smashing your way through the bricks at incredible speeds is your ticket to victory in this game. With each successful row demolition, you’ll send more pieces onto your opponent’s boards, causing them to panic.
Sometimes, Nintendo likes to host special collaborations events with Tetris 99. For example, when Pokémon Sword and Shield was released, Nintendo allowed online users to play Tetris 99 with a Pokémon Sword and Shield theme. It came equipped with special tetrominoes, backgrounds, and music based on Pokémon Sword and Shield. If you like Tetris but seek a challenge, try out Tetris 99.
Pac-Man 99
Pac-Man 99 was released a year or so after Tetris 99. Like Tetris 99, you can only play it if you have the Nintendo Switch Online Service. It’s an incredible puzzle game that will make you rage and sweat. It’s Pac-Man but with a battle royale twist. In it, you’re stacked against 99 other Nintendo Switch Online players.
You’ll play Pac-Man as normal by avoiding the ghosts and collecting the power pellets to defeat them. However, the more ghosts you eat the more problems your opponents will face. Essentially, eating the ghosts on your map will send Jammer Pac-Man to your opponents. Jammer Pac-Man serves as a roadblock for your foes which will hamper their speed.
As you get closer to becoming the last Pac-Man remaining, things get faster and more intense. Therefore, it’s up to players to develop strategies on the fly if they hope to come out on top. The game includes several themes based on Namco’s classic IP like Dig Dug, Galaga, and others. It’s an exhilarating experience that you don’t want to miss.
Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodhunt
Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodhunt is a fun battle royale game. In it, you play as a blood-devouring vampire with superhuman abilities. The game has a dark atmosphere, beautiful character models, and smooth animation. Unfortunately, Bloodhunt doesn’t have a compelling narrative to coincide with its other alluring content.
It’s recommended to check out the upcoming Vampire: The Masquerade: Swansong game for that. All you’ll find here is a simplistic battle royale title with a mix of vampiric-themed content. For instance, there will be items scattered across the game’s map for you to collect, and the map shrinks over time–forcing players to head for a specific location.
The game includes some unique power-ups that you’ll obtain by draining humans of their blood, though. Unlike most battle royales, you’ll be trailing people from rooftops and tapping into your vampire capabilities to capture prey. The game also features multiple classes, each having unique strengths for you to utilize in battle. While the costumes the game offers aren’t that interesting, Bloodhunt is a great alternative for those who grow tired of other battle royale titles.
Super Animal Royale
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has some competition when it comes to cutesy, battle-royale-themed games. In this casual, free-to-play battle royale game, players will compete against 64 other players in a top-down 2D showdown. You’ll play as a woodland creature and defeat your opponents using your claws, machine guns, and others weapons scattered across the game’s safari park battlefield.
Like other games, you can customize your critter and their weapons to your liking. You can choose to head into the battlefield alone or with a squad of up to four players. The game features a cartoon-like art style many will find adorable, despite the violence that ensues in the game. The game features many powerful weapons, armor, and items for players to use during the fight.
The game has hundreds of creatures for players to collect. The game receives numerous updates that add new outfits, animals, and weapons. The developers over at Pixile have a mini-series centered around the game for lore-building purposes, too. If you’re looking for a cutesy and amusing battle royale game to play solo or with buddies, check this one out.
So, there we have it, our pick for the best battle royale-themed video games through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!