Fortnite: Battle Royale (PC, PS4, iOS, Android, Switch & Xbox One) will receive multiple features with Update 5.4 that have never been in the game before. This will significantly speed up the game and our author Jürgen is excited about it.
What’s coming in Update 5.4? The next Update 5.4 for Fortnite brings a new game mode called Getaway, a new weapon (Grappler), and a new gameplay mechanic for the endgame.
For me, these innovations are all a step in the right direction, making Fortnite a different, faster game. As long as Epic doesn’t mess up the new features…
Getaway – A Completely New Mode
What is Getaway? In the Getaway (4-player teams), the classic Battle Royale gets a serious twist. Instead of just hunting down the enemy and surviving as long as possible, you need to find one of four safes.
Inside the safe is a llama figure that you then need to bring to one of four getaway vans. If the llama carrier is taken down, someone else can pick up the loot. The team that extracts the statue first wins.
More Speed in the Game
Why is Getaway a Good Idea? As exciting as Battle Royale is as a game mode, you eventually crave more. However, most of the previous game modes were just variations of the usual genre template.
Getaway, on the other hand, is not about kills and camping. Instead, it’s about securing the statue in a fast-paced movement battle and then protecting the carrier at all costs while almost every other team on the map targets them.
This promises immense tension and a departure from the usual, more tactical gameplay in Fortnite. And for streamers, the fast-paced gameplay in the Getaway mode will surely be extremely exciting.
I’m already looking forward to thrilling rounds where top players like Ninja or Muselk blast their way through hordes of enemies and with their last strength get the llama to the getaway van.
Fairness is Mandatory
What can go wrong? The new game mode poses a particular challenge because such a concept has not been tried before. The safes need to be distributed fairly and the getaway vans should be relatively accessible.
Moreover, the llama team must have a chance to reach their goal even with the whole map’s attention on them. If Epic can manage all of this right from the start, the new mode will surely be a huge success.
The Grappler – Movement Over Camping
What is the Grappler? This item acts like a grappling hook. You can attach yourself to distant objects and immediately pull yourself to them. Grappling hook cannons have been present in numerous games, so it was only a matter of time until Fortnite introduced such an item.
Why is the Grappler a Good Idea? In Fortnite, you can fortify yourself in massive structures. While this is tactically interesting, it doesn’t necessarily make the game more exciting.
Especially in streams and tournaments, viewers want action and dynamism, not exhausting fortifications. The Grappler hits right there!
The Grappler allows for extremely fast movement. Furthermore, you can pull yourself up to enemy buildings with the grappling hook and easily take them over. Massive structures are thus only conditionally useful and the pace of the game increases enormously.
Moreover, the Grappler in the hands of professionals and in tournaments will likely lead to all kinds of crazy stunts. I’m already looking forward to that.
What can go wrong? Like all new weapons, the Grappler could still be quite unrefined when it arrives. Additionally, the weapon could too greatly devalue building, which would weaken this unique feature further.
The New Storm Damage – Collapsing New Buildings
What is it about? With Update 5.4, the behavior of the storm in the endgame is set to change. The final storm circle will now destroy all buildings at the edge of the zone. This should cause quite a chaos, as it is rather customary to erect ridiculous forts at the end of a round.
Why is this good? When everything around starts breaking, the tension in the final phase is cranked up to 11! Only players who are really on the ball and can react quickly in the chaos should achieve the “Epic Victory”.
This innovation should also benefit streamers and tournaments. The last phase will likely be unmatched in tension.
What can go wrong? Builders might find this innovation quite frustrating. Because until now, it was of great importance to have a solid fort at the end.
On the other hand, rapid builders are particularly sought after, constantly erecting new forts despite the storm.
Jürgen’s Conclusion on the Upcoming Patch 5.4
For me, all these new features go in the right direction. They speed up the game and make it more exciting and fun. Especially the Getaway mode should be a lot of fun if Epic gets everything right or at least quickly improves with patches.
Big innovations before Season 6: However, what makes me even happier is the fact that Epic is bringing all these innovations already now and not waiting until Season 6. It’s quite possible that in the next season, Epic will ramp things up even more and introduce further changes – like the long-demanded alternative maps.
But what do you think? Should Fortnite become a faster game, or is it just fine as it is and should not be changed further?
