Badlanders APK

Pros

• Tense risk vs. reward gameplay
• Team and solo play available
• In-depth loot and trading system

Cons

• Poor automized item pick-up system
• Zero character customization options

Badlanders is proof that the popular battle royale genre can be translated to the mobile gaming space. That said, the scale is a little less than what you could expect to find on a console or PC. Up to 24 players are dropped into the field of battle with little to their name and a collection of weapons and equipment scattered around the map.

But Badlander distinguishes itself from other battle royale games by how it handles extraction. Rather than having the battlefield narrow down until there's only one player left standing, Badlanders drops exit points onto the map every few minutes. Leaving through one of these portals allows you to take your weapons with you, and you can either outfit your character with that gear in your next run or trade them in at a virtual shop so you can craft the perfect kit.

The result is a game that really emphasizes tactics over moment-to-moment gameplay. It means that there are different players with different objectives, and continuing to push forward won't always be the best move. That said, you can also buy gear from this virtual marketplace using real money. And while some players can buy their way to the top of the tournament with an infusion of cash, the core experience is strong enough to keep most players engaged for a while.

As for immersion, this game looks and feels in step with most modern shooters on mobile. Solid textures combine with generally detailed work for characters and maps that are more realistic than anything you could have expected on a phone just a few years ago. It's not doing anything terribly new. You'll see familiar grays, browns, and camouflage patterns, but some serious weight has clearly been put into the graphical and sound design.

In terms of variety, there aren't a whole lot of game modes here. You can play either solo or as a member of a three-person team, but there aren't a whole lot of different objectives. The core loop is tight, but it could stand to have a little more variety. Fortunately, there's plenty of options for when you aren't directly on the battlefield. Character customization isn't available, but there are a ton of weapons you can outfit your avatar with.

Pros

• Tense risk vs. reward gameplay
• Team and solo play available
• In-depth loot and trading system

Cons

• Poor automized item pick-up system
• Zero character customization options