Fortnite: Almost Decade Later, It's Still One of Gaming's Biggest Phenomena
Ten years after its release, Fortnite continues to prove why it's one of the most influential games ever made. It's constantly evolving, packed with unforgettable collaborations, and, for me, became much more than just a battle royale. It helped keep my best friend in Texas and me connected during one of the toughest times in recent history.
Like many people, I found myself looking for ways to stay connected with friends during the COVID pandemic. That's when I decided to jump back into Fortnite with my best friend in Texas. What started as a way to pass the time quickly became part of our weekly routine.
While Fortnite is an outstanding battle royale on its own, what makes it truly special to me isn't just the gameplay. It's the memories we've made together. Countless victories, hilarious defeats, impossible last-second clutches, and hours of laughing over voice chat are moments I'll always associate with this game. Those experiences are priceless, and they're a big reason why I still come back to Fortnite multiple times every single week. One of my favorite parts of the game is its unbelievable collection of character skins.
My go-to skin is Vegeta, and every time I drop onto the island, it still makes me smile seeing one of my favorite anime characters running around with a shotgun. Whether you want to play as superheroes, anime icons, movie legends, video game characters, musicians, or original Fortnite creations, there really is something for everyone. Few games have embraced crossover content as successfully as Fortnite has.
The gameplay has also evolved tremendously over the years. Between Zero Build, classic Battle Royale, Reload, creative experiences, and limited-time events, there's always something new to experience. Epic Games deserves a lot of credit for constantly refreshing the game instead of letting it grow stale.
The live events are another major highlight. Watching the island transform over the years, participating in massive in-game events, and seeing entirely new chapters begin has made Fortnite feel like a living world rather than just another multiplayer shooter.
Of course, no online game is perfect. One of Fortnite's biggest challenges is its incredibly young player base. Public matches and voice chat can sometimes be difficult to endure because of immature behavior, excessive trash talk, or teammates who simply aren't interested in playing cooperatively. Fortunately, playing with friends solves most of those issues and reminds me why I enjoy the game so much in the first place. Despite that, Fortnite continues to keep me coming back.
After nearly a decade, very few multiplayer games can still hold my attention several nights a week. Fortnite somehow manages to do exactly that through constant updates, exciting collaborations, evolving gameplay, and the simple joy of sharing the experience with friends. For me, Fortnite isn't just another online game. It's become part of my weekly routine and one of the best ways to stay connected with someone who lives halfway across the country.
Pros
- Still one of the best multiplayer games nearly a decade later.
- Helped me stay connected with my best friend in Texas during COVID.
- Playing together created unforgettable memories and strengthened our friendship.
- Incredible variety of character skins and crossover collaborations.
- My favorite skin is Vegeta, and it never gets old dropping into a match as a Saiyan.
- Constant updates keep the game feeling fresh.
- Zero Build offers an excellent alternative for new and returning players.
- Huge variety of game modes and live events.
- Easy to jump into for a quick match or an entire evening of gaming.
- A game I still happily play multiple times every week.
Cons
- The very young community can make public matches frustrating at times.
- Skill gap can feel overwhelming for newer players.
- Frequent updates sometimes dramatically change the meta.
- Cosmetic purchases can become expensive.
Final Verdict
Very few games remain this relevant after nearly ten years, but Fortnite continues to evolve while keeping millions of players coming back. Its constant stream of new content, unforgettable collaborations, and polished gameplay make it one of the most successful multiplayer games ever created.
For me, though, Fortnite's greatest achievement has nothing to do with battle passes or Victory Royales. It helped me stay connected with my best friend in Texas during COVID, and years later, it's still something we look forward to playing together every week. Those memories and that friendship are worth far more than any in-game reward.
Whether I'm dropping into the island as Vegeta, chasing another Victory Royale, or simply laughing with friends over voice chat, Fortnite continues to remind me why multiplayer gaming is at its best when it brings people together.
Reviewer Scores
- Gameplay: 10/10
- Immersion: 9/10
- Fun: 10/10
- Story: 7/10
- Graphics: 9/10
- Sound: 9/10
- Replay: 10/10