I
like to play ‘low-
stakes’PUBG,
although really there’s
no such thing. Here’s
how it works: I load
up Miramar in 1-Man Squad mode.
Miramar because I like its desert
expanses and dense urban
environments; 1-Man Squad
because it’s very unlikely that I’ll
win. It’s unlikely that I’ll win
anyway, but this mode – where
you’re sent in solo against whole
teams of other players – is
essentially hard mode. And in a
very hard game, that actually takes
the pressure off. I’m probably going
to lose, so let’s see how far I can go.I drop as early as possible, heading
far north to the fence that runs along
the edge of the map. The first cluster
of buildings provides a good haul: a
vest and helmet, backpack, two rifles,
ammo and healing items. Here’s the
thing aboutPUBG, though: there are
a million ways to be lucky. In this
case, the first circle plays against me:it’s right over Los Leones in the far
southeast. I sprint until I find a
motorbike, then speed south. I swap
for a dune buggy near Valle del Mar
and cut east, abandoning my vehicle
on the road to Puerto Paraiso. It’s
then that I see the cargo plane fly
overhead, dropping a weapon crate
on to the beach in front of me.SUPPLY DROP
My fortune is turning this ‘low-
stakes’ run into something else. In the
crate I find top-tier armour, silencers
for all of my weapons, and a punchy
new assault rifle. I still haven’t seen
another player. In a nearby church I
find a scope – the last item on the
wishlist – and begin to head inland.
As I do I see a boat run ashore –
another team approaching from the
south. Otherwise, there are less than
20 players left.
The next circle pulls me further
inland still. I do my best to stay
hidden. Then, as I risk crossing the
highway, a patch of darkness passes
over me. I wonder if it’s a bug – but
no. It’s the shadow of a parachute,
another cargo crate landing right on
top of me. My luck in this round has
been absurd – but this is something
else. That crate is a big red ‘look over
here!’ sign, and I’m right underneath
it. The first sniper round hits me in
the back. The second gets me in the
head. Like I say: low-stakesPUBG.SLOW BALL
Then there’s Halt, which is fast
becoming one of my favourite
abilities in the game. Orisa launches a
sphere of energy that slows and pulls
enemies towards it. You can detonate
it mid-flight or wait until it collides
with a surface, and I’ve found it
incredibly useful for yanking people
out of cover or down from high
ground – especially pesky Hanzo
snipers. It’s also great for bunching
groups of scattered enemies up,
making them an easy target for your
Fusion Driver. And if you’re ever
playing on Ilos as Orisa, try activating
it above the well if you want a laugh.
Superficially, Orisa just looks cool.
I mean, she’s enormous, and that
makes her easy pickings for snipers.
But come on: she’s a four-legged
robot with a laser cannon for an arm.
I also love how Blizzard has
incorporated West African art into
her design. Every hero in Overwatch
fizzes with personality, which is a big
part of why I love the game.
There’s a lot that annoys me about
Overwatch, mainly the people who
moan in chat when you pick a certain
hero. But overall it’s the most fun I’ve
had with an online shooter in years.
I’ll never get into something like
Counter-Strike because I’m rubbish at
first-person shooters. But there are
enough rewarding ways to play
support in Blizzard’s game that I can
get by, and still earn a few
commendations after a match. It’s
official, I guess: I’m an Orisa main.
CHRIS THURSTEN
THIS MONTH
Tookanice,gentle,deadly
stroll through Miramar.ALSO PLAYED
Dota 2,Baldur’s GateLearning the downside to good fortune inPUBG.
“My luck in this
round has
been absurd ”
A support tank is basically
my dream class.THE GAMES WE LOVE RIGHT NOW
NOW PLAYING
PUBG’s a lovely driving game.
Shame about the murderers.Popping barriers soon
becomes second nature.