Epic has recently released a new game mode for Fortnite, called Blitz Royale. There has been no shortage of new game modes, like OG and Reload, but Blitz Royale compresses a Zero Build game into a much quicker experience. You start with 50 shields and a few weapons so you’re ready to fight immediately, almost eliminating the initial phase of the game. As you level up due to kills and surviving storm circles, you get new weapons and boons/abilities.

Blitz Royale games are very frantic. Player counts are reduced to around 30 players, but with a small map and a storm circle that closes very quickly, you are on the move and shooting constantly. There’s lots of loot including shields, but with good weapons being plentiful, shooting is quite deadly, benefiting those with a good aim.

The mid game is very compressed, there’s not much time to catch a breath. Wandering the edge of the storm circle barely works as it moves so quickly, so you’ll be running and shooting. The transition into the end game is seamless. Unlike in normal Battle Royale, there’s no time for camping and stalking. Your best bet at winning is to surprise the other remaining players and take them out with good shooting.

Blitz Royale does appear to be easier to win than standard games – on my first day, I managed four crown victories, including three back-to-back. I’m not sure whether this is due to luck, more bots (they certainly are present), or lower player skill. Simple statistics may play a role, too – less players mean less competition, it’s easier to be the top dog among 30 players than among 100.

Epic has announced that Blitz Royale will be around for a limited time (four weeks), and I think that this makes sense. While it is a lot of fun, the shortness of the games also means that the long-term appeal is somewhat limited. I expect players to go back to other game modes as their bloodthirst is stilled. But I hope that Blitz Royale returns regularly, with a new map and weapons each time, as the short and deadly games are fun.