Garena Free City is now open for pre-registration on both iOS and Android platforms, targeting eager gamers in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. If you've been eagerly awaiting the next big thing in open-world gaming, this might just be your temporary fix until that elusive sixth installment in a beloved series arrives.
Let's be upfront: Garena Free City is Garena's homage to the Grand Theft Auto universe, set to launch on June 30th. Whether you'll see this as a blessing or a curse depends largely on your perspective. At a glance, it might seem like just another mobile clone of GTA, but delve a bit deeper, and you'll discover some promising features.
For starters, the game boasts a detailed character customization system reminiscent of The Sims, allowing you to tweak every feature of your avatar. It also diverges from the realistic style of GTA, embracing a more whimsical approach with elements like giant robots and summonable power-ups, including deployable cover.
However, the game's attempt to mimic the allure of Grand Theft Auto Online might be its Achilles' heel. While the quirky additions are certainly eye-catching, the game's timing could be better. The mobile gaming scene is about to welcome Ananta, another open-world title that promises a vast playground and eccentric side quests—potentially overshadowing Free City.
Ananta distinguishes itself with a unique anime aesthetic, which might not appeal to everyone but certainly sets it apart. Meanwhile, Garena Free City's reluctance to fully embrace its uniqueness is the one critique that stands out so far.
If you're keen to stay ahead of the latest gaming launches, don't miss Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," where you can discover upcoming titles you can play right now.
