Fortnite Reload isn’t the OG comeback you were hoping for

We've all been crossing our fingers, wishing for the return of the OG Fortnite, which is why the surprise of Fortnite Reload had us all jumping for joy. However, we shouldn't get our hopes too high because this isn't the OG Fortnite you may have been expecting.

Fortnite OG has been something we've all been dreaming about for a while now—the return of old locations, classic weapons and items, and just a simpler, more enjoyable time playing in general. Epic Games, however, has been less concerned with looking to the past and instead working full-speed ahead on the future of Fortnite, introducing new content and gameplay mechanics, as we can see from the 2024 Roadmap. Even though Fortnite Reload is definitely a taste of that OG time, it's not exactly the comeback we were all hoping for, primarily because it features more new than old.

Fortnite Reload is bringing back classic POIs, but they won't be exact replicas of the old ones. As stated by Epic Games themselves, they are 'inspired' by the OG locations. They'll be around a brand-new 'mini' map and be smaller variations of the maps we knew and loved. This is why we can see some of them renamed like "Lil' Loot Lake."

The biggest reason Reload will differ from OG Fortnite is the new reboot mechanics. This mode will be focused more on this new feature than anything else. It allows players to reboot unlimited times, as long as they have squadmates alive. They can keep rifting back into the game until the endgame begins and lower cooldown reboot times based on their eliminations. This leads to the final point, which is that Reload will be a squad-only mode.

You read that right. Fortnite Reload can only be played in Squads. This puts a dampener on OG Fortnite nostalgia for those players who usually join in as solo or duos. Although you will most likely be able to queue for the match without a full squad, you'll still be met by full squads pitted against you. This makes it a more challenging, team-focused mode.

These are some great, fresh ideas from Epic Games that continue to make Fortnite a constantly evolving game. However, if you got your hopes up for reverting back to the 'good ol' days' of Fortnite, you may be a bit disappointed. You can appreciate OG weapons, items, and versions of those classic locations, but this will still ultimately be a brand-new experience.

Want to read more about Fortnite? Check out What is Fortnite OG Reload? or Fortnite OG is getting rid of a divisive feature on Pro Game Guides.