Highlights:
* Indus Battle Royale open beta went online in mid-August 2024.
* The game offers an interesting Battle Royale experience for Android and iOS.
* Players can also enjoy PvP multiplayer action with TDM mode.
The long wait has come to an end with Indus, a made-in-India battle royale game, entering its open beta phase. So far, SuperGaming’s BR title has received much hype for its Indo-futuristic theme that blends Indian mythology with sci-fi elements. From naming the BR map Virlok to Indianizing the in-game concepts, characters and weapons, Indus has kept many South Asian fans interested. As the game is now accessible to everyone, we at GosuGamers India tested the Indus Battle Royale open beta on Android and iOS, and here are our first impressions regarding the gameplay, graphics, sound, and overall experience:
Indus Battle Royale Gameplay Is Reminiscent Of Apex Legends Mobile But Still Needs Devs’ Attention
Playing the first match in Virlok offers a pretty familiar experience that Apex Legends Mobile provided. From character designs and weapons to building structures and supply crates, everything seemed quite akin to Respawn Entertainment’s ill-fated BR game. The similarities are understandable, considering both games have an ultra-modern setting.
However, unlike Apex Legends Mobile, the BR map in Indus Battle Royale seems quite big to explore due to the lack of readily available transportation. Players can hop onto the vehicles, but it isn’t easy to find them in Virlok. In addition to the vehicles, the distribution of supplies and weapons could be better, which is sometimes bothersome during a match.
SuperGaming has done a great job with gun mechanics, with each weapon offering a distinct experience due to varying stats and recoil patterns. On the other hand, the game’s physics seems odd at moments when it comes to jumping, driving, and performing different actions. Optimizing the physics is something the developers can work on while the Indus Battle Royale open beta is online.
The Battle Royale gameplay experience is generally not as impressive due to uneven loot distribution and the map seeming too big to explore. At the same time, during a match, players can witness sudden frame drops or occasional increases in ping. While the rise in ping can also be possible due to players’ network connection, the frame drops and similar glitches might persist due to issues at the devs’ end.
In contrast to Battle Royale gameplay, Indus offers a surprisingly intense and splendid TDM experience with 4v4 and 2v2 options. Despite minor hiccups, the TDM gameplay will keep the players hooked. Interestingly, Indus Battle Royale’s TDM mode has more replayability than BR, as the latter requires some work before the global launch.
The Team Deathmatches offer no-nonsense action that primarily focuses on gunplay. The fast-paced action, in comparison to the Battle Royale mode, is something that will keep players busy and leave them craving for more. In BR matches, players usually sit around waiting for fights, which is not the case with TDM, where everyone gets almost instantly respawned. With BR lacking on many other fronts, TDM has an obvious advantage in keeping the players entertained.
The Majestic Virlok Falls Short on Realism for a Truly Immersive Shooter Experience
When it comes to tactical shooters, realism is quite crucial to keep one locked in during a match. When compared with PUBG Mobile or CODM, the realistic graphics keep the overall experience grounded. Apex Legends Mobile, the game that is getting compared to Indus, also offers a great degree of realism despite an ultra-futuristic setting and weapons. Therefore, improving the graphics will actually make Indus more engaging. At the moment, the lack of textures on walls and structures is quite distracting during a match.
Virlok’s concept and layout are pretty magnificent, but during a match, the environment seems relatively lackluster. The developers can focus on providing a better texture to walls, rocks, and all other structures to make the game seem more grounded. Sound, on the other hand, is much better, but there is always room for improvement.
Indus Battle Royale – A Promising Start, But Miles To Go
After playing a couple of games, I felt that Indus Battle Royale has potential, but makers will have to make some drastic improvements in terms of gameplay and graphics before the final launch. The Battle Royale mode has concepts like the Grudge system and Cosmium Clutch, which are unique and should be highlighted more. The availability of a long lineup of avatars and weapons will keep newbies interested. Still, the BR map will need more refined landmarks, well-dispersed loot, and easy accessibility for vehicles to commute across POIs.
Apart from the Battle Royale, TDM matches can also be improved with the introduction of a class system, enriching tactical gunplay with skills and abilities. Judging by the overall experience, both Battle Royale and TDM offer engaging gameplay. Still, the developers can address the issues that users face to make the game more palatable for the general audience. At the same time, SuperGaming is doing great with its Indo-futuristic theme, which can be extended further with the inclusion of more lore around the characters.