In the wake of The Big Bang Event, Chapter 5: Subterranean emerges as a transformative force in the realm of Fortnite's battle royale. Notably, the enigmatic presence of Peter Griffin further amplifies its allure.
Venturing into subterranean realms, the aftermath of The Big Bang event, which witnessed the demise of the Chapter 4 island, heralds substantial modifications in the battle royale landscape under the banner of "Subterranean." A novel island unfolds, accompanied by captivating gameplay features such as boss skirmishes, Lego-inspired aesthetics, and the introduction of iconic characters like Metal Gear's Solid Snake and the irreverent Peter Griffin from Family Guy.
Let's delve into the intricacies of the reimagined island. In this evolutionary update to Chapter 5: Season 1, the battle royale landscape undergoes a complete metamorphosis, introducing a myriad of novel locales. A fully functional railway system, replete with a traversable train, graces the landscape, alongside marinas, opulent mansions, and an entirely fresh grassland expanse, interspersed with generous snowfall.
The gameplay dynamics undergo a paradigm shift with the incorporation of five formidable boss characters, with Peter Griffin making a distinctive appearance. Triumphing over these adversaries bestows players with a coveted medallion, offering a valuable perk: the gradual regeneration of shields. However, this advantage comes at a cost, as clutching a medallion broadcasts the player's exact location on the map, with the precision of this revelation increasing proportionally with the number of medallions possessed, as per Epic's stipulations.
Further augmentations encompass the introduction of an SUV for traversal, a cutting-edge weapon named the Ballistic Shield allowing simultaneous defense and gunfire, the option to ambulate during the healing or shield restoration process, and the ability to customize weaponry at designated locations across the island. Noteworthy is the introduction of a unique in-game cosmetic aspect—besides personalizing characters and armaments, players can now tailor vehicles to their preferences, selecting different bodies, decals, and wheels. Upon embarking on a sports car in-game, the vehicle seamlessly adopts the chosen configurations. (Certain elements from Rocket League will persist for those engaging in both gaming realms.)
For patrons of this season's battle pass, the prospect of unlocking the new boss characters, a revamped rendition of Jones, and later in the season, the inclusion of Solid Snake, awaits. Furthermore, a distinct facet emerges in the form of Lego integration. Epic, on a recent announcement, unveiled an imminent in-game encounter titled Lego Fortnite—a collaborative venture described as a "survival crafting" game set to debut within Fortnite on December 7th. This collaboration extends to the game's plethora of skins, with over 1,200 existing skins slated to receive a Lego-inspired option, transforming characters like Peely the banana into Lego brick renditions. It's pertinent to note that these stylizations appear exclusive to Lego experiences within the Fortnite universe.
The initiation of Chapter 5 transpires amid a bustling period for Fortnite, riding the wave of renewed interest with the Fortnite OG release in November—a nostalgic return to the original island, featuring beloved locations, items, and characters. Epic reports a historic pinnacle on November 4th, registering over 44 million players, culminating in The Big Bang live event on Saturday, marking the destruction of the Chapter 4 island and featuring a virtual performance by Eminem.