Years before Fortnite became a battle royale phenomenon, Epic Games’ shooter originally launched as a PVE game, with an offering now dubbed Save the World that saw teams working together to survive against waves of zombies.
Now, Fortnite is returning to its roots with a Lego Fortnite Expeditions, a fresh mission-based PVE mode for up to four players, which looks like a mix of the game’s existing Lego gameplay with PlayStation console hit Helldivers.
In Expeditions, players embark from the mode’s Academy hub, where you choose from a range of combat missions set in one of three locations. Successful mission completions contribute to global Team Projects that unlock buffs for all players, as well as new mission types. You can also chill back at the Academy and undertake Assignments from other Fortnite characters.
Expeditions launches with three map locations and three upgradable hero classes. Shadow Caller lets you fly and launch ranged explosive attacks, or enter Shadow Form to escape battle. The Hunter is equipped with Bull’s-eye Blade, a mark that multiplies damage and makes attacks for all players more accurate. Rift Ripper, meanwhile, can warp around the battlefield, fire rift crystals and buff other classes.
Developer Epic Games is positioning Expeditions to be another permanent Fortnite mode, and the game’s third major Lego experience after the survival-focused Lego Odyssey and sim-like Lego Brick Life. But while these have been fairly separate experiences, Expeditions will feature the theme and main villain of the game’s main Battle Royale mode storyline.
At launch, Expeditions sees players facing off against Mask Maker Daigo and his minions, while allying yourself with Battle Royale’s various heroes. (Yes, Jonesy and Hope are included.) A trailer for the mode also includes the current Battle Royale season’s logo, Super, and its major crossover character, Superman. The suggestion seems to be that Expeditions may adapt to tie in with other Battle Royale season themes going forward.
Fortnite is currently early in its new superhero-themed season, which arrived following the explosion of its Star Wars Death Star. This week is a busy one for Fortnite, with the arrival of a new 32-player battle royale mode named Blitz Royale, pitched as being perfect for quicker gameplay sessions on mobile devices. Both Blitz Royale and Lego Fortnite Expeditions launch tomorrow, June 18.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
