Here's why everyone is playing PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) — and why you should join them.
When it comes to battle royale games, you really only have two choices that continue to draw in tens of thousands of players: H1Z1 (King of the Kill) and PUBG.
Should you be a newcomer to the genre, or still be logging into H1Z1, here's what sets the two games apart, why PUBG is taking off, even kicking DOTA 2 off the No. 1 position on Steam, and why you should perhaps consider switching.
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The drop
From the get-go, it's clear to see the differences (and improvements) in PUBG to H1Z1 with the initial spawn. Instead of dropping in randomly, everyone is parked on a plane that heads in a random direction across the battlefield. Where you leave the plane is up to you, which then allows you to dive down and activate the parachute to hone in on a particular point of interest.
This makes things interesting, especially in a squad where you have to weigh up options and see where everyone else is dropping in. There's also more action since people are generally clustered together, whereas in H1Z1 you're spread around the area. That said, this isn't to everyone's liking, which is why there are those who prefer the drop in H1Z1.
Strategy
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In PUBG, you really need to take care of movement. Whether you're in an open field or in a destroyed town, there's the possibility of a foe being nearby and this means every step matters. Positioning is vital, setting up aim and taking the killing shot. It's better to pounce than be pounced. It's a much more laidback experience if you choose to play that way. There are various strategies, including holding out or going on the offensive.
Bring in three teammates and this takes the experience to a whole new level. Landing with a few other groups in the same location makes some landings extremely tense. The initial rush for any weapon (be it a pistol or UMP) is followed by working with allies to track and take down those who set foot in your territory. Should you not have the upper hand, it can make POIs like the school to into an exciting bloodbath.
The ultimate PUBG survival guide
There are other aspects, such as being able to only carry a single helmet and limited healing supplies, that make it much more difficult to go in shooting without falling if one isn't careful. H1Z1, on the other hand, isn't all about strategy and allows you to go all-out crazy if that's your preferred playstyle. Land, hop into a jeep and hunt down unsuspecting victims. It's fast-paced and can appear more intense when multiple people are fighting it out. But this is also a downside, as many characters will be seen leaping around like deer running from predators.
Loadouts
The weapon and item count in H1Z1 is less than PUBG, and this shows in each playthrough. In the former, you're likely going to be kitted out with a shotgun and AR-15 or AK-47. They're more commonly found and maks gunfights feel more repetitive. PUBG has a larger collection of guns, including more pistols, automatic rifles, machine guns, and even heavy weaponry.
In PUBG, there are also many, many weapon mods that can be installed such as silencers or stabilizers, magazine clips, handles, and sights. This makes it possible to have guns fire and feel different by just throwing in a different modification. Recoil is also a different affair with H1Z1 opting for a more arcade-like system, while PUBG offers actual recoil with automatic modes forcing you to point upwards, and manual modes securing more accurate fire.
Getting around
This is where things get interesting. To this day, H1Z1 still has better vehicle driving mechanics than PUBG, especially when it comes to the incredibly frustrating PUBG motorcycles. Vehicles in both games offer similar features like boost, the ability to run players over, and more. Where the games differ is H1Z1 allows you to have more control over the vehicle but doesn't penalize you for doing insane acrobatics or even leaping out at 90 miles an hour. PUBG will punish you if you attempt to leave the vehicle without stopping first.
Community
Firing up PUBG will get you into a lobby and parachuting down in less than a few minutes. H1Z1 can take anywhere up to five or ten minutes, which is an issue when you just want to get into the action but happen to die early and have to sit and wait. This is largely down to the numbers moving across to other games, with PUBG hitting a million concurrent players at one point. H1Z1 isn't struggling, but there aren't nearly as many players.
Development of PUB is also a positive, seeing how Bluehole has actively listened to the community and taken aboard feedback. As well as rolling out patches and fixing things (which can have the unwanted effect of breaking something else), the team is also working on new weather effects, maps and more.
PUBG isn't perfect. No battle royale game is, but it's certainly the best of the bunch for the time being. Here's hoping Bluehole continues to make meaningful patches that really addresses concerns players continue to have with the game. Should you be seeking a battle royale-type survival shooter that has more emphasis on surviving and tactical strategies, PUBG is your game.
If you'd just like to have fun with arcade-like mechanics and fast-action gameplay, H1Z1 is still a solid choice.