Fortnite Chapter 4 Ushers In New Era Of Gameplay With Graphical Enhancements And Nifty Mechanics
A new era of Fortnite has arrived as Epic Games launches players into Chapter 4 – a realm filled with medieval wonder, powerups to obtain, and territories to conquer. This iteration of the free-to-play title officially released on December 4th, 2022 after an encounter with the antagonist – The Herald – came to a destructive conclusion whereby reality was completely obliterated. Players were given the task of piecing together their island paradise throughout the duration of the Fractured live event which paved the way for fresh and exciting gameplay experiences. Between breathtaking visual enhancements and intuitive mechanics – Epic Games has breathed new life and longevity into one of their most beloved video games in history which has subsequently kick started numerous careers for individuals.
One of the most notable and immediately recognizable changes of Chapter 4 is the graphics which utilize the power of Unreal Engine 5.1 to deliver unprecedented levels of detail to the Fortnite universe in ways not previously possible. Some of the technology behind the picturesque views include Nanite, Lumen, Virtual Shadow Maps, and Temporal Super Resolution – components that allow for substantial polygon counts (each blade of grass is modeled) and produce real-time global illumination in interior and exterior settings; bouncing and reflecting light off various surfaces at high framerates. More details are available on the Fortnite website alongside a breakdown of important changes for PC players.
Epic Games has introduced Reality Augments in Chapter 4 – supports that provide special gameplay perks that can assist players with outlasting the competition. During regular time intervals, players will have the option of choosing between two random Reality Augments which remain active throughout the entirety of the game. There are currently 32 different Reality Augments to unlock with players able to access and equip four Reality Augments within a given match – options will change with each match meaning players will have to adapt their particular play styles in order to achieve success.
- Aerialist – gain the ability to redeploy your glider
- More Parkour – your energy regenerates briefly after mantling or hurdling
- Pistol Amp – pistols have greatly increased magazine size
- Splash Medic – you have a chance to find Chug Splash in every container you open
Players can also make use of Trail Thrasher to quickly navigate the island terrain and discharge their weapons whilst riding; similar to boars. Chapter 3 introduced Mantling – allowing players to grab hold of ledges and instantly climb to higher ground with relative ease and that kind of innovation has not been lost on Chapter 4 as players can Hurdle over small objects to make a quick escape. The weapon pool has subsequently been updated to include the Ex-Caliber Rifle which fires a sword-like projectile that detonates moments later and the Shockwave Hammer – a melee weapon that allows players to unleash a devastating attack on unsuspecting players and can also be used for mobility purposes.
The Battle Pass features a myriad of original characters and collaborations like Doom Slayer (Doom) and Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher) who serves as the Chapter 4 – Season 1 secret skin. Battle Stars have also returned which allows players the freedom to unlock their favourite cosmetics in whatever order they desire – provided they have reached the appropriate level. Midseason Drops are a new addition for Chapter 4 and offer more Styles for Battle Pass characters and can be acquired by levelling up over the course of the season – separate from the traditional bonus rewards.
Fortnite is available now on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Windows PC, and Android devices – iOS compatibility is available through GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
