After several months of open beta, the PlayStation 4 version of H1Z1 will officially launch on August 7. This battle royale-style shooter hit Steam early access for PC back in 2016 after spinning off from its original survival-based counterpart and had it’s full release in February 2018. The console version, however, has been significantly changed to induce a more action-oriented game.
The PS4 launch trailer above showcases the game’s emphasis on silly, colorful cosmetics in a realistic-looking world. While H1Z1 has the look and feel of something closer to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, it plays a bit looser than what you’d expect from a game with military-sim roots. Inventory management has been simplified in a way that’s less clumsy for gamepad controls. Aggressive play is rewarded, especially since high-powered weapons and better armor are relegated to supply drops that litter the large 10x10 map. 100+ players drop into the map at random locations and an ever-shrinking safe zone forces intense firefights the deeper you get into a match.
H1Z1: Battle Royale on PS4 remains in open beta until launch day and is free to play. You can read through our H1Z1 PC review to get an idea of how that version plays, or watch our early PS4 gameplay to see what it’s like in action.