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Fortnite Ballistic mode proves Epic doesnt need to be Counter-Strike

Epic Games seem intent on makingFortnitethe game to end all games, catering to every possible mood and playstyle. But with the launch of Ballistic, a 5v5 mode heavily inspired by Valorant and CS:GO, theyve pushed things too far.

If, like me, you were one of the first passengers on theFortnitehype train all the way back in 2017, then the game is virtually unrecognizable from the simple Battle Royale you were blown away by. Over the years, more and more systems, features, and crossover characters have been added with eachChapter, to the point that its now an entire multiverse packed into a single game.

Theyve not stuck to BR either. In the last couple of years, weve seen the launch of LEGO mode, a survival mode inspired byMinecraft, Festival, which brings the elements of Guitar Hero and Rock Band to the game, and even Rocket Racing.

After making the definite Battle Royale experience in the eyes of many, its clear that Epic are now hellbent on competing with juggernauts from any other genre they can think of.

The latest attempt isFortnite Ballistic, a 5v5 FPS mode that takes many cues from the likes of CS:GO andValorant. Teams attack or defend a series of bomb sites scattered on the map, with the aim of wiping out the other team one by one or blowing up the objective. You start with a Pistol and can purchase additional weapons, gadgets, and shields between rounds during the buy phase.

But while the other unique modes are neat additions that offer a welcome break from trying to win a Victory Royale, Ballistic is Epic overextending themselves in an unnecessary way.

Thats not to say that Ballistic is bad. Its a perfectly serviceable shooter that does capture some of the fun of other titles in this space. But its hard to shake the feeling that its just imitating better games that nailed this formula years ago, leaving the question: Who is this for?

CS:GO, and nowCounter-Strike 2, has some of the most accurate and satisfying gunplay weve seen in an FPS, which is one of many reasons the game has remained popular for over a decade. While Fortnites floatier shooting is great in a BR, forcing us into a first-person perspective on a smaller map exposes how far behind it is in terms of precision.

Meanwhile, Valorant shakes things up with powerful abilities that can completely alter the flow of a match; whether its teleportation, blocking certain routes, or healing allies. It also caters to a much more hardcore audience, as shooting while moving is punished with huge recoil to encourage a more thoughtful approach.

All of this has helped Val stand out, but none of these systems are in Fortnite Ballistic. It also doesnt add any new ideas of its own to the mix to give it an identity. The result is matches that feel like youre watching a tribute band of your favorite artist; you still love the songs but youd rather hear the original.

If youre someone whos never tried Val or CS:GO and youre looking for a more casual entry point, then Fortnite Ballistic might be exactly what youre looking for. But when compared to the genres best, it still has a long way to go.

Its worth keeping in mind that the mode is still in early access and more content is coming later down the line. But with better and more refined games already dominating the FPS space, Epic Games would be better off spending time and money on experiences that play to Fortnites strengths rather than trying to be everything at once.

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Nathan Warby is a Senior Games Writer on Dexertos UK team, also contributing on our sister website CharlieINTEL. His expert coverage areas include Call of Duty, EA SPORTS FC, FIFA, and other multiplayer games.

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