It's amazing to see how many of the big genres of gaming have made their way on to mobile platforms. Shooters are an especially surprising inclusion, as most rely on the kind of precision controls that you really can't get on a smart device. Fortunately, there are a number of games that have figured out reasonable work arounds to make for some very exciting combat experiences. One such game is Garena Free Fire, which is a free app that shrinks the Battle Royale experience onto the small screen.

Features

Garena Free Fire is a Battle Royale game. This means that the basic gimmick of the game is that it pits a large group of players in combat against one another as the area on which they can fight shrinks, leaving only one player standing. Like many games in this genre, Garena Free Fire lifts a lot from Fortnite and PUBG. You can pick the spot where you land on the battlefield, and then fight, sneak, and drive your way across the map to take on other players. As you win matches (and buy currency), you can also unlock unique looks for your avatar.

Benefits

The biggest benefit of Garena Free Fire is that the game provides some excellent competitive play in a way that suits multiple types of players. While the focus is always going to be on combat, there are several strategies that work well. This not only benefits those who like specific styles, but it gives players a chance to change things up in order to change the way that they play the game. With short rounds and plenty of different cosmetics to go after, the game is also great for those who tend to get bored with longer games.

Pros and Cons

Garena Free Fire certainly puts a lot of effort into cramming as much of a Battle Royale experience as possible onto the small screen, and for that most players will generally be grateful. It might not stand quite shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the industry but there is undoubtedly plenty to do here and enough different ways to win that most players will be able to develop their own winning strategies. It's a game that really does reward those who put in time to learn the various systems and figure out how everything in each round works.

The downside to the game has little to do with what's in the game and much more to do with the people who play. Like many mobile games, Garena Free Fire has a major hacker problem. Though hackers are prevalent in most competitive games, their presence here seems especially egregious. It's rare that you'll get into a match without someone being able to automatically pinpoint every other player or without someone who uses an aimbot, quickly bringing your fun to an end. These players range from nuisances to game-breakers, but they are almost always going to be present when you want to play.

Conclusion

Garena Free Fire is a fun Battle Royale game that might not quite replicate the console experience but that does come close. Though the player base isn't always the best, the game gives players plenty to do and many ways to enjoy the game. If you've tired of the two big Battle Royale games and want to try something new, you will definitely find that Garena Free Fire is more than worth a shot.