Fortnite Battle Royale is a video game released by Epic Games. It is arguably the most popular video game ever, with over 650 million accounts and 110 million monthly players. Epic Games launched “OG” Chapter 1, Season 1 on Dec. 6. This was an update that took us back to our roots in the classic map from when the game was first released in 2017. Fans were thrilled to revisit the classic maps and mechanics that first made Fortnite a global phenomenon. The event brought waves of nostalgia and excitement to all players.
The gameplay in the new season shows why I and many others fell in love with the game. Epic Games reintroduced classic mechanics/items such as the original pump shotgun and bounce pads. It’s awesome for long-time players who finally get to use these again, and it’s great for new players who get to try them for the first time. The movement is one of my favorite parts of the new season—it feels smooth and just right. With launch pads and impulse grenades, Epic gave us the best combination of new and old.
This season’s Battle Pass is pretty good. It has a mix of old-school skins and brand-new designs that look clean. The throwback skins are a highlight, bringing back the classic skins like ”Renegade Raider” and “Skull Trooper” with a spin on them. The creative character designs and emotes bring back nostalgia. I like what they did with the progression system too, the challenges make you explore the map more instead of just getting kills. It’s about revisiting iconic POIs (Points of Interest) and finding all the little details Epic added this season.
The return of the season 1 map was the most significant part of the update. Epic brought back beloved places like Salty Springs, Pleasant Park and Retail Row. Landing at these spots feels like stepping into a time machine, but everything looks sharper and polished with Fortnite’s updated graphics. The textures, lighting and overall visuals have been updated, making the game more visually appealing than ever.
The sound design of this season is one of the most underrated parts of the update. Epic Games did great work reintroducing some of the classic sounds we all remember. The iconic “jingle” of opening a chest or listening to the subtle breeze while gliding through the air. Classic weapon sounds have also been resurrected, the powerful blast of a Pump Shotgun and the clean, crisp firing of an Assault Rifle were among the first things I noticed. I love that Fortnite brought them back. These sound effects are a good example of Epic Games nailing those little details.
The online community has given very high praise for this season. Social media is blowing up with players sharing clips of funny moments and pure excitement about this season. A lot of players who stopped playing a while ago are coming back and content creators who have been there since the start like Ninja, SypherPk and Nickeh30, are also keeping the community engaged and giving their opinions on the season.
This season’s slower pace and reduced chaos make it a much different experience compared to the fast-paced gadget-fill gameplay of recent seasons. There are no more mythic items, NPCs or cars. Everything is much more simple, and I like it. The map is bigger and there’s less loot around, leading to more even gunfights and longer games. Each game takes around 40 minutes.
Fortnite is the most fun in its “OG” season, as this is the second time Fortnite has done this. The attention to detail in the map, sound design and the classic gameplay prove this. Epic Games plans to take us through every season of Chapter 1, so I’m excited to see if people will stay engaged or get sick of it and want original content. I look forward to Season 7 in particular, which will be out in Dec. 2025.
This season has sparked a wave of excitement and positivity across the community. So far, I’ve had a great experience playing with my friends and I’m excited to see what Fortnite has in store for players.
“Fortnite OG:” ★★★★★
