Battle Royale games 2022: The best games on PS4, PC & Co

The map is shrinking, who will be left? In this article you can read:

  • What makes Battle Royale games tick
  • Which titles are important in 2022

Check out our list of the best shooters for more action.

What makes Battle Royale games?

Battle Royale is a game mode that mostly appears in shooter games and is now considered its own genre. In it, players compete against each other - alone or in small teams. As a rule, they start a game round without any equipment or armaments and have to find them in the game area first. Thus, the starting conditions are the same for all players.

The players have to eliminate each other, the last survivor or the last surviving team wins. The game area shrinks at regular intervals, which increases the pressure on players to keep moving. It also drives the participants closer and closer to each other.

The name "Battle Royale" comes from a Japanese book adaptation from the year 2000. In video games, Battle Royale first appeared as a fan-programmed mod in games like ARMA 2 or Minecraft and gained great popularity especially through the games Playerunknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite Battle Royale.

Fortnite Battle Royale

  • Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC, Android
  • USK: 12
  • Microtransactions: Yes, Battle Pass and store for cosmetic items
  • Special Features: Build mode, cross-platform game progression, cross-play
  • Suitable for: Fans of modern pop culture

If you are reading this article, you will most likely have already heard about Fortnite. Since 2017, the free-to-play shooter from Epic Games has consistently been one of the most played games in the world. Some gamers have certain prejudices against the game, especially due to its colorful visuals and the associated rather young target group. However, Fortnite is one of the highest-quality and best-content Battle Royale games on the market. It's best to try it out for yourself - after all, it costs nothing!

Call of Duty Warzone

  • Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • USK: 18
  • Microtransactions: Yes, Battle Pass and store for cosmetic items
  • Special Features: Intricate graphics, good gunplay, extensive crossplay
  • Suitable for: Fans of Call of Duty

After a successful Battle Royale mode already debuted in the CoD universe with Call of Duty Black Ops 4 Blackout, a completely independent Battle Royale game called Call of Duty Warzone was released for consoles and PC in 2020. The free-to-play title is independent of the main annual releases and offers the most solid military experience and gunplay on this list. Eliminated players have the option to return to the match if they win a duel in a separate arena. Diverse vehicles, weapons and characters from different CoD parts and crossplay between all platforms round out the excellent gameplay experience.

Apex Legends

  • Special features: Original game characters, crossplay
  • USK: 18
  • Microtransactions: Yes, Battle Pass and store for cosmetic items
  • Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch
  • Suitable for: Players looking for a slightly different Battle Royale experience with great gunplay

Apex Legends expanded the familiar principle of Battle Royale games with elements from hero shooters like Overwatch: Before each round, players decide on a character with certain abilities that complement the team in battle with different play styles. Apex Legends popularized a ping system in the genre, which can be used to mark objects for teammates. It also debuted the ability to resurrect deceased team members for a limited period of time. Apex Legends is a free-to-play title that can be played for free.

PUBG - Playerunknown's Battlegrounds

  • Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Stadia, Android, iOS
  • USK: 16
  • Microtransactions: Yes, Battle Pass and store for cosmetic items
  • Special Features: Kicked off the hype for Battle Royale games, excellent mobile version
  • Suitable for: Fans of slightly more realistic military shooters

PUBG made Battle Royale games popular in 2017. Lead developer Brendan "Playerunknown" Greene first created Battle Royale mods for games like H1Z1 and ARMA 2 before working on Playerunknown's Battlegrounds with Korean developer studio Bluehole. The game offers good gunplay, military atmosphere as well as constantly new content and was also released as a separate game for mobile platforms. In the meantime, PUBG is even playable for free.

Super Animal Royale

  • Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Google Stadia
  • USK: 12
  • Microtransactions: Yes, Battle Pass and store with cosmetic items
  • Special Features: Crazy battle royale game with animals as characters
  • Suitable for: Fans of wacky games

Super Animal Royale is probably the craziest title in the list. What looks quite cute at first glance quickly turns out to be quite a macabre shooter. Although you play cute animals like foxes, deer or tigers, it's still about collecting weapons and equipment and then killing the enemies with a shotgun, submachine gun or assault rifle. Besides the slightly different characters, the 2D iso-view also sets the title apart from other genre representatives.

Forza Horizon 5: The Eliminator

  • Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • USK: 6
  • Microtransactions: No, though there is a paid VIP membership as well as DLCs with new vehicles
  • Special Features: Only available as a mode in the main game
  • Suitable for: Racing game fans who also want to get a taste of Battle Royale air

For racing game fans, this mode of Forza Horizon 5 is probably the best the Battle Royale universe has to offer them. In The Eliminator, up to 72 drivers compete against each other, all starting in the same car, a 1963 Beetle from Volkswagen. Vehicle upgrades are distributed around the map, which equip you with faster cars. During the fast-paced chase, the game area shrinks and you must reach a randomly appearing finish line to avoid elimination. A refreshingly fast-paced variation on the battle royale mechanics otherwise more familiar from shooters.

Detailed guides to upcoming action-packed games:

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