Fog of War
Thirsty for combat? The Android release of FOG: Battle Royale has you covered. Jump into massive brawls with up to 30 players in fast-paced combat. Your cunning and quickness will help you survive the storms and emerge victorious.
Playneta Games’ most recent and accessible title handles very smoothly. Aesthetically, there are some noticeable Fortnite vibes, though the game plays very differently. FOG: Battle Royale forgoes construction and long sojourns across the map. Compared to the former, matches in FOG: Battle Royale are fast-paced and focus heavily on combat. Of course, you do not have the same agency over character movement as one would on console. Your movement style is closer to the overworld/3rd person view in games like Diablo. This is actually helpful because of how easy it is to wander into trouble.
Royale Rumble
FOG: Battle Royale blends standard Battle Royale play with MOBA elements. Hostile ads are scattered around the map a la League of Legends or DOTA. Players get a short time to ready themselves before spawning into drop-zones. Weapons and accessories are scattered about to supplement your starting gear. As the fog surrounding the area shrinks, players squeeze into tight quarters to fight for items as the playable terrain diminishes. It’s dangerous straying too close to the edges, though the game has a built in mechanic to guide the player away. This helps the player not get stuck and die immediately if they happen to not notice the…suddenly inclement weather.
While upgrading the starting equipment can make a difference, smart tactics and knowledge of your skills help you find victory even early on. It’s not as easy to upgrade these initial armaments without paying. Paid loot bundles and bonus currency can help give players extra access to armor and cosmetics, but it doesn’t seem to be a deal-breaker for regular play. Some options include starter bundles with better armor than the default for beginners for under five dollars. In-game currency packs start around a dollar, which isn’t bad for someone who just wants a little boost early.
Battle to Survive
FOG: Battle Royale’s gameplay is slick and accessible. It’s easy to just drop into a map and play, without the need to actually physically drop from the sky, as is custom in lots of similar titles. It does not take very long to load into the game’s 30-player lobbies. Players have the option to skip ahead in their preparations and get right into the thick of things. Of course, one has to be careful not to overplay their hand early and get overwhelmed.
That said, early risks can help net crucial additions to your arsenal. So, too, can being cautious and letting other players fight over what might be so-so gear. I won at least a couple of matches with only a few, well-timed kills. Each class has different, upgradeable skills from which to pick. For example, Barbarians can Leroy Jenkins their way into a crowded fight. Rogues have more stealth and single target-based skills. Other hybrid classes blend melee and ranged combat, like Conjurers and Bounty Hunters. The controls are simple and responsive. Smoothly executing your enemies is usually just a matter of timing your moves right.
Continued Success
As far as progression goes, it seems like the game scales matchmaking well to your rank. There were never any times I felt like I was noticeably overmatched in any fights. That said, access to better armor and upgrades can make a difference in survivability. There are plenty of high-gloss ads for loot boxes, a season pass, and various currencies to enhance one’s character more quickly. The Elite Pass grants access to daily/weekly rewards in the Royale Pass, and costs 5$ for the season. The various boxes provide better and more frequent loot, in addition to more cosmetic options that drop from them. Elite Pass players also get access to a special armor set, in addition to more of the aforementioned rewards. Despite this, actual performance feels more important in-game. In this way, in-app purchases don’t make or break the battle experience.
FOG: Battle Royale is a lean, streamlined free-for-all where glory in battle is never far away. While it takes more than a few cues from other similar titles, it is no less enjoyable for its efforts. Indeed, it feels very accessible in a sea full of options. FOG: Battle Royale’s simple, fluid combat makes jumping into the fray a satisfying experience. Check it out on the Google Play Store.
Is It Hardcore?
It's rock solid
While far from groundbreaking, FOG: Battle Royal succeeds with its simple controls and streamlined experience. Paid or not, victory is never far away.
