New Map
Obvious entry is obvious, but that doesn’t mean that the significance of Fortnite Chapter 2’s new map should be understated.
With the arrival of a whole new map — with some fan-favorite named locations thrown in for good measure (albeit revamped) — there’s a ton of new, cool secrets for players to uncover.
Not only that, but there’s no Tilted Towers location that a ton of players are solely swarming to. That, combined with players’ general intrigue in exploring the new map means that you can land just about anywhere on this new island and come across a good few players to take down.
Also let’s be honest, the original Fortnite map was beginning to get a little stale, no matter how much Epic Games tweaked and adjusted it each season.
With a whole new island, there’s plenty of opportunity now to create weird and wonderful new events and experiences for players to enjoy.
With over 10 new named locations, and also a bunch of landmarks which act as essentially smaller named locations, Fortnite Chapter 2’s map feels like its brought the main evolution of the Battle Royale mode that players were crying out for.
Weapon Upgrades
There was few things more frustrating in Fortnite than landing and being surrounded by terrible grey weapons. Even worse when it was just the same assault rifle over and over again. We don’t want to have to go sprinting around the map just to find a new weapon.
Well, Epic Games has heard our cries and has introduced a weapon upgrade system. By seeking out one of these upgrade machines and handing over a chunk of each different type of material, players can now upgrade their weapons from grey to green rarity, and green to blue, and so on.
This results in improved stats across the board for your weapon, making it easier to eliminate opponents and rack up quick kills. These weapon upgrade terminals also offer up a tough choice for players to make, too.
Will you hand over 250 Wood, Stone, and Metal just to bump up that blue Assault Rifle to a purple? Or would you rather keep hold of the materials to build defenses when you come across an opponent? The choice is yours, but making the wrong one could see you checking out early from the action.
Bots & Improved Matchmaking
In the five to 10 games I’ve played of Fortnite Chapter 2 so far, one of the most notable changes is the improved matchmaking system and the introduction of bots into games.
While they both work together to make for a better gameplay experience for all players, let’s break them down both separately first.
Let’s start off with the introduction of bots. This was something Epic Games actually noted prior to Fortnite Chapter 2 kicking off.
Essentially, bots have been added into games of players with a lower skill level to help increase the player counts in games, and also essentially provide a more balanced experience for newcomers.
It essentially means you’re not going to come across someone who can ‘crank dem ’90s’ in seconds if you’re still not really all that clued up on the building element yourself.
In conjunction with the arrival of bots, Epic Games also introduced improved matchmaking toward the end of Season 10. This was applied across all core game modes, and ensured players of similar skill were thrown into the same game.
As you improve, so do your opponents, and when it comes to the aforementioned bots, you should see fewer of them in your games.
This is actually one pretty clever move on Epic Games’ part. It ensures seasoned Fortnite players continue to take on tough opponents and have a more competitive landscape to play in regardless of the game mode they choose, while also ensuring newcomers aren’t put off the game and get to grips in a more forgiving learning environment.
Seriously, if you haven’t played Fortnite in a while, try hopping back in. You’re sure to notice the difference pretty quickly, but it’s certainly for the better.
Less Grinding
If you were anything like myself, by the time the last few seasons of Fortnite had rolled around, you’d largely given up on reaching Tier 100 on the Battle Pass.
Not because you didn’t want the cosmetics on offer, but simply because it was such a grind that you’d rather spend the time playing something else instead. Or perhaps you just didn’t have the spare time at all to begin with.
In Fortnite Chapter 2, Epic Games looks to have really eased up on the grind for leveling up your Battle Pass. Everything is now XP-focused, and completing a single challenge in the New World Mission will grant you 14,000 of the stuff.
Add in the fact you can easily rack up about 10,000 XP or more each game just by your performance alone and the Battle Pass suddenly feels way less grindy.
It also doesn’t hurt that the Battle Stars and XP system have finally just been consolidated into one. There’s no more ‘Season Level’ just your Battle Pass Tier.
Water Fun & Helping Teammates
While we’ve already gone through many of the major improvements and new additions in Fortnite Chapter 2, there are some minor changes that also help to keep things feeling fresh in Battle Royale. First and foremost are the new water-related features.
Players can now drive around the many veins of water running through the map with motorboats, firing off rockets at any opponent they see on land.
It’s also possible to swim, using a dolphin dive-like technique to swim even faster, and you can grab a fishing rod for a chance to nab a weapon, item, or one of a few different types of fish, each one providing some healing ability.
Oh, and if you’re all about playing Fortnite with your friends, well good news. If one of your teammates are now downed but not out, you can run over to them, pick them up, and carry them to safety, rather than them limping around on all fours slow as all hell.
It’s a little addition, but one that just makes sense in the grand scheme of things.
What are your favorite additions or changes to Fortnite Chapter 2? Let us know down in the comments below.
Published: Oct 15, 2019 10:04 am