Fortnite on iOS already feels empty and dated

8/27/20201 min read

Fortnite on iOS already feels empty and dated

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Without the latest season, the game isn't the same on Apple hardware

By [Andrew Webster][68] Aug 27, 2020, 4:32am EDT

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Today sees the launch of [an exciting new season in Fortnite][78] — but not for everyone. Because of the ongoing legal battle between developer Epic Games and Apple, the game's latest season won't be appearing on Apple hardware, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This marks a huge change for Fortnite, a game that has long been at the forefront of crossplay. Now that's changed. If you're playing the game on an Apple device — which is still possible if you already have it installed — you're experiencing a very different version of Fortnite. And it's one that feels vastly inferior to what's available on every other platform.

One of the best things about Fortnite is the way it works seamlessly across mobile, consoles, and PCs. Aside from some control and graphical differences, it's essentially the same game on every device. That means I can play it on my PS4 and then pick up the experience on a Switch, PC, or wherever else using the same account, and all of my progress and customization carries over. It's one of the reasons I have the game installed on so many devices; I typically play on console, but use the portable versions to sneak in some missions and level up my battle pass while I'm away from the living room.

For the new season, which is Marvel-themed, there are a lot of cool things to dig into. If you purchase the battle pass, right off the bat you'll unlock a playable version of Thor, and there are some new points of interest on the island as well. My current favorite is a sentinel graveyard, a patch of land full of the towering robots from the X-Men series now reduced to part of the scenery. There are other neat touches that add to the Marvel vibe. You wait for a match on a Helicarrier, and the flying battle bus is accompanied by some planes as it heads towards the island.