I received the PR email relating to Battlerite Royale awhile before it hit the public airwaves. I have to admit, as someone who has championed Battlerite for a long time, it took me by surprise. Not the fact that Stunlock Studios have chosen this specific mode, but that time could arguably be better spent investing in the existing Arena mode. Don’t get me wrong, adding more to Battlerite is never a bad thing (quite the opposite), and if Battlerite Royale attracts new blood, it can only strengthen its playerbase. However, despite reservations that the flavour-of-the-month mode will add greater strain to Stunlock Studios’ resources, and inevitably pull emphasis away from its core Arena design, Battlerite does need another avenue for players to sink time into. If Battle Royale has to be that choice, then so be it. On that basis, I think this venture - in the long run - could work out exceptionally well for Stunlock Studios and Battlerite.

It’ll Be The Only Top-Down Battle Royale

With every other Battle Royale game being a third or first person shooter, Battlerite offering a top-down perspective will instantly allow it to stand out. Although it might lose some of the atmosphere the other perspectives offer, it should take on a very different feel. As someone who’s a huge fan of the Diablo III atmosphere, the thought of roaming a map in Battlerite with limited vision, in sprawling landscapes, is undoubtedly an attractive prospect.

Battlerite Already Has Great Combat

With every Champion already being a viable choice in the Arena, and with the existing combat system being incredibly fun (honestly, there’s few to rival it), the prospect of this “package” being airlifted into a Battle Royale mode is incredibly exciting. Large brawls, smaller skirmishes, tentative duels and Champion-based kits should make for an exciting and dynamic experience that’s heavily skill based. There’s no doubting it will be vastly different to what we play now, and some Champions might prosper more than others, but the introduction of items could bring it all into balance.

It’s A Break From Arena

I’ve spent over 1,000 hours playing Battlerite. I still love the excitement of 2 v 2 and 3 v 3. However, sometimes I wish there was something else my brother and I could play when we just want to kick-back and relax. Arena matches can be intense and at times, exhausting (certainly if PUGing it), so an alternative such as Battle Royale is a welcome addition. Quick matches, at no longer than ten minutes, is a perfect time-sink to dive into and let your brain have some time off.

It’ll Have A Unique Look And Feel

Who wouldn't want to roam in a Battle Royale mode looking like this?

Part of the reason behind Fortnite’s success, and the fact it has surpassed PUBG, is that it has a clearly recognisable artstyle. Where PUBG blends into every other bland shooter (see DayZ, Arma and multiple other Unreal Engine imitations), Fornite has a striking aesthetic (whether you like it or not). Battlerite isn’t far behind in this regard, and not only looks brilliant, but has a style and a bank of skins that surpass most of its peers. While Battlerite falls somewhere between DOTA2 and League of Legends in terms of art direction, there’s no mistaking it looks exceptionally good.

It’s The First On The Scene

Correct me if I’m wrong, but there isn’t a single other top-down Battle Royale game on the market. There’s lots of others (as mentioned above), but none that are proposing what Stunlock Studios is. The shorter matches, lowered player count, different viewpoint, and vastly different control method will set Battlerite apart from all its peers. While we don’t yet know how itemisation will work, the fact it’s the first on the scene will make a massive difference. Those not interested in first person shooters, or those growing tired of the default MOBA genre will gravitate towards it, hoping for something new.


What's your thoughts on the new Battle Royale game-mode for Battlerite? Let me know.


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Last Updated: May 04, 2018

About The Author

Lewis is a long standing journalist, who freelances to a variety of outlets.

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