Ever since its inception, Fortnite has been a mysterious realm, with Epic Games keeping players guessing about the hidden forces shaping the game’s course. What began as a whimsical amalgamation of characters has morphed into a playground for speculation among data miners and gaming enthusiasts alike.
Epic Games has gained a reputation for its grand multiplayer spectacles, starting with the unforgettable Season 4 rocket launch that tore through the skies. Subsequent seasons brought a suspended comet, and Season 4 even delved into Marvel-themed escapades, with players somewhat uniting to confront Galactus.
Now, Season 6 introduces Epic’s first single-player event, featuring a new character called the Foundation and his unexpected alliance with Jonesy. The result is undeniably one of Fortnite’s most distinctive events, but does it propel the overarching narrative forward? Will it withstand the test of time?
Epic’s Season 6 story trailer immerses players in Season 5’s eclectic cast (including xenomorphs, Predator, Ryu, and Peely) engaged in epic clashes. This shift towards spectacle storytelling, reminiscent of Marvel or Call of Duty, invites players to savor the moment and reserve their questions for later. While it’s fascinating to see Jonesy, once a comedic sidekick, engage in serious discussions with the Foundation, their true identities and significance remain shrouded in mystery.
During the event, players assume the roles of their characters, witnessing events unfold firsthand. Although there’s little risk of failure (I spent a moment adjusting audio settings), Jonesy’s unwavering guidance keeps players moving forward, much like a dependable NPC.
The event guides players through a series of fast-paced scenes, assisting Jonesy in closing rifts, and dodging perilous encounters with wolves, hunters, and even an attack helicopter. While personal impact is limited, the event mirrors the scripted Fortnite battle pass trailers, where players heroically charge toward unsuspecting foes, executing impressive moves and landing perfect headshots.
The final showdown at the Spire, where players aid the Foundation in containing Zero Point’s explosion, mirrors Fortnite’s promotional trailers. The action is all about maintaining momentum, with rocks crashing around and sudden gusts of air propelling players skyward. However, the transition to a story scene leaves players observing the Foundation and Jonesy from a safe distance, reminiscent of a ride at Disney World.
Does it all come together? For the moment, yes. It offers an enjoyable action-packed experience that immerses players. Fortnite’s visually stunning graphics, enhanced by ray tracing support, are a testament to the game’s adaptability across various themes, from God of War to Predator.
However, it’s disheartening to see Epic following the modern Disney trend of perpetually teasing the “Next Big Thing.” Stories like WandaVision and The Mandalorian, while entertaining, often serve as springboards for future projects, leaving little room for standalone tales. The Foundation’s warning to Jonesy about the never-ending battle royale loop feels somewhat deflating, as there are no real stakes in a story that keeps shifting its focus.
While the narrative may develop further during the season, it’s unlikely to reach the same grandiose, well-directed level as the single-player event. The story will be lost in Twitter audio clips, wild fan theories, and countless YouTube videos. With numerous proper nouns (The Seven, Geno, the Foundation, the Sisters) thrown around, it’s challenging for the average player to keep track of it all. Nearly four years into Fortnite, it remains unclear who these characters are and why players should care.
Epic Games’ multiplayer events, such as the Travis Scott Kaiju concert, have significantly impacted the industry in terms of technology and cultural relevance. One can’t help but wish that some of this innovation could be infused into more intimate storytelling moments like the one presented in Season 6.
Fans eagerly anticipate answers, but Epic will likely continue teasing to maintain player engagement. Yet, it feels reminiscent of an old SNL video game sketch.
Ultimately, players’ enjoyment of Fortnite’s convoluted, enigmatic, and arguably commercial lore depends on their individual preferences. If you’re a Marvel or Star Wars fan who enjoys the ride and vibrant visuals, Fortnite’s first single-player event provides an engaging distraction created with substantial resources.
It adheres to the design principles of traditional shooter campaigns, unlike the hit-or-miss narrative adventures in Fortnite’s creative mode, which hinge on player skill. With Unreal Engine dev support on the horizon for Fortnite’s creative mode, we may witness more inventive approaches to storytelling.
If Epic intends to employ Hollywood-scale storytelling to expand Fortnite’s universe, it will need to introduce higher stakes than Jonesy.
