Considering how well it lends itself to chaotic free-for-alls, it’s actually kind of surprising that the battle royale genre hasn’t really seen a major title set in a Mad Max-style post-apocalypse where anything goes. But that may soon change, because a new game called Farlight 84 looks like it could very well fill the lawless wasteland void in the genre.
Miracle Games and Lilith Games, the developer of such titles as Rise of Kingdoms and AFK Arena, formally unveiled the game today with its first official trailer. The accompanying press release revealed that it’s set in a world devastated by a cyborg-zombie apocalypse where what remains of humanity has to fight it out for dwindling resources. Yet despite the grim premise, the game looks pretty lighthearted and comedic in tone, with a colorful aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in a particularly gritty season of Fortnite.
Described as a “thrilling mix of fast-paced and tactical gameplay,” Farlight 84 looks to stand out from the likes of Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone in a number of ways. For starters, it looks like it will feature more objective-based gameplay on top of its 40-player PvP action, as one scene shows players teaming up to fight a giant robot. The game will also include more to do outside of matches, as winning matches will provide players with building materials they can use to create a hangout spot where they and their friends can relax between games.
In addition to a roster of distinct playable heroes with unique skills, and a variety of weapons that players will be able to personalize and upgrade, the game will also offer several unconventional means of transportation, including jetpacks, bounce pads, and multi-legged vehicles. However, Farlight 84 will also sport a unique “energy” system that limits the usage of weapons, shields, and vehicles depending on how much energy players have at their disposal, providing an extra layer of strategy to the action-packed shooter gameplay.
It’s easy to see that Farlight 84 takes inspiration from a number of popular titles, most notably Fortnite and other battle royale shooters. But from what Miracle and Lilith have shown off so far, this has the potential to offer some of the most refreshing shooter gameplay in the genre. Of course, it’s too soon to say for sure whether it’s likely to become a hit or end up joining the battle royale games that failed to make an impression, but since it’s slated to hit early access next year, it won’t be too long until people can start getting a clearer idea.
Farlight 84 will launch in 2021 for Mobile and PC.