Fall Guys in Fortnite: A Hollowed-Out Shadow of its Former Self?
Since its launch in August 2020, Mediatonic's *Fall Guys
has brought a unique blend of slapstick fun and competitive chaos to gamers worldwide. The game's charming bean-like characters and physics-driven gameplay captured the imagination of millions, particularly during the peak of the pandemic, offering a much-needed dose of lighthearted entertainment. However, now that *Fall Guys* has found its way into the ever-expanding world of *Fortnite*, a sense of melancholy has set in. The question arises: is this integration a step towards a vibrant metaverse, or a hollowed-out shell of what we once loved?
To understand the integration of *Fall Guys
into *Fortnite*, we need to delve into Epic Games' ambitious plans for the latter. Since 2021, Epic Games has been transforming *Fortnite* from a standalone game into a "metaverse," a vision championed by founder and CEO Tim Sweeney. The game now acts as a platform, offering not just the classic battle royale shooter but also a diverse range of experiences, including the survival crafting game *Lego Fortnite* and the rhythm-based *Fortnite Festival*.
Epic Games' acquisition of Tonic Games Group, the parent company of *Fall Guys
developer Mediatonic, in spring 2021 was a strategic move. Mediatonic's expertise was seen as crucial for building Epic's metaverse vision. "Itâs no secret that Epic is invested in building the metaverse and Tonic Games shares this goal," Sweeney stated at the time.
This week's release of a selection of *Fall Guys*-inspired games within *Fortnite
offers a glimpse into the future of Epic's metaverse ambition. Three official games, *Pegwin Pickup*, *Tumble Towers*, and *Falling Up*, are now available for players. *Pegwin Pickup* tasks players with collecting penguin icons across various environments, including a diner-themed level. *Falling Up* takes the form of a lengthy platforming obstacle course, while *Tumble Towers* offers a similar experience but with fixed camera angles that introduce both challenges and awkward gameplay.
However, these new experiences fall short of capturing the charm and energy of the original *Fall Guys*. While the trademark dive and recognisable bean characters are present, the games lack the competitive spirit and polished feel of the standalone title.
*Pegwin Pickup
suffers from repetition, with players simply collecting icons in the same location repeatedly. *Falling Up*, despite offering a varied obstacle course, feels isolated from the larger competitive element, lacking the exhilarating rush of competing with a multitude of other beans.
Interestingly, a user-made obstacle course titled *Only Up*, created using Epic Games' Unreal Editor, has proven more popular than the official offerings. This user-made game, while buggy, allows players to earn a significant amount of experience points, effectively turning *Fall Guys
into a grind for *Fortnite* battle pass rewards.
The integration of *Fall Guys
into *Fortnite* raises concerns about the future of the beloved game. What was once a unique and vibrant experience now seems to serve primarily as a means to unlock cosmetics in *Fortnite*.
The initial vision for Epic Games' metaverse, particularly the integration of *Fall Guys*, appears to be lacking. Games like *Lego Fortnite
are facing criticism for their lack of content and ongoing updates. It remains to be seen whether the metaverse will live up to its promises, but the current state of *Fall Guys* within *Fortnite* paints a somewhat melancholic picture. For now, many players, including this writer, are likely to find solace in revisiting the original *Fall Guys* and reminiscing about its unbridled joy.
