Introduction

Fortnite by Epic Games took the world by storm when it was released in 2017. The free-to-play battle royale game quickly became a pop culture phenomenon amassing over 350 million players by 2021. With its cartoonish graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and accessible mechanics, Fortnite appealed to gamers young and old.

In August 2018, Fortnite finally made its way to Android devices after being released on PC, consoles, and iOS earlier. However, the Android release was limited to Samsung devices at launch. The beta version was later opened up to other Android devices.

This review will focus on the Android version of Fortnite and cover the key aspects like graphics, performance, controls, and features.

Graphics

Fortnite stands out for its vibrant and colorful art style. The cartoony graphics lend the game a playful, lighthearted appeal. On Android devices, the graphics are scaled down compared to the PC and console versions, but still retain the distinct Fortnite visual flair.

The graphics settings on Android include options for 3D resolution, view distance, shadows, anti-aliasing, textures, effects, and post-processing. The default is set to “Epic” quality, but this can be adjusted based on your device’s capabilities. Lowering the settings improves performance on less powerful devices.

The game allows up to 60 FPS on supported Android devices. The frame rate is smooth and consistent most of the time. However, drops in FPS can occur during graphically intensive scenes with a lot of action.

Overall, the graphics are impressive for a mobile game and recreate the Fortnite experience on a smaller screen. The world and characters look crisp and full of life. Small details like swaying grass and trees add depth to the environments. The cartoony art style scales down well visually even on lower settings.

Performance

Performance is a mixed bag on Android. High-end flagship devices can run Fortnite smoothly for the most part. But mid-range and budget devices struggle with frequent lag, long loading times, and stability issues.

The initial launch of Fortnite on Android was riddled with complaints about choppy frame rates, freezes, and crashes even on powerful Samsung devices. This was attributed to the game only being in beta at the time.

Over subsequent updates, performance and stability saw improvements. But lower-spec devices continue to face performance problems due to the game’s demanding graphics. Adapting the graphics settings helps, but only to an extent.

Interestingly, older high-end devices like the Samsung S7 and Google Pixel 2 seem to handle the game better than some newer mid-range devices. This suggests optimization for certain chipsets plays a key role.

In terms of battery life, a round of Fortnite can drain a full charge in 3-4 hours of playtime. This is expected for a graphically intensive 3D game. Make sure to plug in when you plan extended gaming sessions.

The best Fortnite performance on Android is achieved on the latest flagship phones like the Samsung S22 Ultra or the ROG Phone 5s. Mid-range devices can still run the game acceptably on lowered settings. But budget devices continue to struggle due to limited RAM and weaker GPUs.

Controls

Fortnite on mobile relies entirely on touchscreen controls. Unlike the precision of a mouse or gamepad, touch controls are inherently limiting for fast-paced action games. It takes time adjusting to the touch interface.

The default control scheme utilizes an on-screen virtual joystick on the left to move your character. On the right are action buttons for jumping, crouching, shooting etc. Players can customize the position and size of the virtual buttons to their preference.

An optional dedicated shoot button can be enabled for firing weapons instead of tapping on enemies directly. This allows you to aim and shoot independently. Autofire is also available to automatically shoot when you aim at opponents.

Building in Fortnite is accomplished by entering build mode and selecting structures from a menu. Given the complexity of building, it translates poorly to touch controls. Building on the fly during combat is especially clunky.

Aim assist is enabled by default to help compensate for the imprecision of touch input. But snap-on auto aim feels like cheating and destroys the skill element. Most serious players opt to disable aim assist.

For the best experience, mobile gamers should consider getting a Bluetooth controller like the SteelSeries Stratus Duo. This allows console-style controls for movement, aiming, and building. Touch controls work fine for casual gaming, but a controller vastly improves handling.

Features

Fortnite on mobile has the same features and content as the PC and console versions. Players have access to the various core game modes – Battle Royale, Creative, and Save the World.

The Battle Royale mode allows 100 players to fight until the last man standing. Matches take place on a large fictional island with a constantly shrinking safe zone due to an incoming storm.

Players can squad up in duos or teams of four. Cross-platform multiplayer allows mobile gamers to play with friends on PC and consoles. Progression and unlocks are carried over across platforms via the player’s Epic Games account.

The building mechanic is what sets Fortnite apart from other battle royale games. Harvesting materials around the map lets you construct walls, ramps, floors, and roofs on the fly for cover or access to elevated areas.

Fortnite receives regular content updates adding new weapons, items, cosmetics, and map changes. Limited time events and crossover promotions with popular franchises help keep things fresh.

The free Battle Pass system provides additional challenges and rewards to work towards by playing during a season. A premium version of the Battle Pass unlocks greater cosmetic rewards and is a popular purchase among devoted players.

Verdict

Fortnite’s addictive blend of battle royale action combined with sandbox-style building mechanics makes for engaging gameplay on the go. The cartoony graphics and fast-paced matches are optimized well for mobile.

However, the touch controls have a steep learning curve. Serious players will need a controller for adequate precision during tense combat and building situations. Performance also varies widely based on your device specs.

But overall, Fortnite offers a remarkable battle royale experience on mobile that captures the essence of its PC and console counterparts. For fans of the game, the mobile version provides the opportunity to squad up and battle on the move.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Vibrant cartoony graphics
• Fun battle royale gameplay formula
• Regular content updates
• Cross-platform multiplayer
• Building mechanics make matches more dynamic

Cons

• Touch controls have a steep learning curve
• Controller required for best experience
• Performance varies greatly across devices
• Battery life impacted during extended play sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices can play Fortnite Mobile?

Fortnite is available for Android phones and tablets running Android 8.0 or higher. iOS devices cannot directly install it anymore after Fortnite’s removal from the App Store.

Does Fortnite Mobile have controller support?

Yes, you can connect controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller or DualShock 4 to your Android device via Bluetooth and play Fortnite with proper physical controls.

Is Fortnite completely free to play on mobile?

Fortnite Battle Royale is free to download and play on mobile. In-game cosmetics like character skins can be purchased optionally. The Save the World co-op mode requires purchase.

Can I play Fortnite Mobile with friends on PC/console?

Yes, Fortnite on mobile supports cross-platform multiplayer. You can squad up with friends on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile.

How much storage space does Fortnite need on Android?

Fortnite requires 3-4 GB of free storage space on Android initially. The total install size grows over time as updates keep adding content. High quality texture packs can take up additional storage space.

Does Fortnite Mobile have bots?

Yes, Fortnite matches on mobile are populated with bots to fill out the 100 player requirement. Bots behave like regular players but are easier to eliminate. The number of bots decreases as your skill level rises.

Can I use a keyboard and mouse with Fortnite Mobile?

Unofficially yes, using third-party apps you can connect a keyboard and mouse to your Android device and use them to control Fortnite. But this offers an unfair advantage over regular mobile players.

What graphics settings are optimal for smooth gameplay?

On mid to low end devices, setting 3D resolution to 70-80%, View Distance to Medium, and other settings to Low, yields a good balance between graphics and performance.

How can I reduce lag and FPS drops?

Besides lowering graphics settings, consider disabling auto-updates and background apps when playing. Use Game Mode on supported devices. Connect to stable WiFi and disable mobile data. Close other running apps.

What is the difference between Fortnite’s mobile and console/PC versions?

The core gameplay is identical across platforms. Differences are mainly graphical – lower quality textures and effects on mobile. PC has uncapped frame rates while mobile is limited to 60 FPS. Mobile has touch controls while PC/consoles use mouse/controllers.