PUBG: New State – Is This the Future of Mobile Battle Royale Worth the Transition from BGMI?

PUBG has become a widely recognized title across the globe, not just among the youth in India. The mobile iteration of this game has skyrocketed in popularity since its launch in 2018, just one year following the debut of the PUBG PC version. However, after the ban on PUBG in India, players sought out alternatives, but the enthusiasm for this renowned battle royale game on mobile remained intact. Earlier this year, Krafton introduced a tailored edition for Indian mobile gamers known as Battlegrounds Mobile India, abbreviated as BGMI.

When it comes to BGMI, the changes from PUBG were minimal, with only a few features adjusted here and there. Essentially, it was PUBG rebranded. In contrast, PUBG: New State brings a fresh interpretation of the PUBG brand to India that is likely to attract attention. But will PUBG: New State appeal to fans of BGMI? What can it bring to the table? I played it for approximately a week, and here is our insight on this new player in the mobile gaming landscape — PUBG: New State.

PUBG New State: visual allure

From a graphical standpoint, Krafton has made notable enhancements to PUBG: New State. The game now offers significantly improved visuals compared to its predecessors. The graphical fidelity, including the detail in vegetation, surfaces, and the overall player dynamics, lends a sense of realism to the experience.

PUBG: New State currently presents various graphics settings, including Lite, Medium, High, Ultra, and Extreme, with the Lite option being new. Regarding framerate settings, there are Low, Medium, High, Very High, Ultra, Max, and Extreme — the latter being unavailable at launch. Personally, I noticed an increase in loading times on the initial launch. Testing it on the iPhone 12 and the Realme 6 Pro, I found the iPhone 12 handled Ultra + Max, while the Realme 6 Pro capped out at Ultra + Very High. After playing for around 15 minutes, the back of both devices felt somewhat warm.

Initially, there were server issues with PUBG: New State, which Krafton addressed through maintenance updates. I also encountered various bugs, such as the vehicle «open door» button not appearing, drones getting caught in trees, vehicles stuck in map locations, and sometimes extended waiting times in the lobby.

New graphic options have been integrated into PUBG: New State
Photo Credit: Robin John/Gadgets360

PUBG New State: fresh battlegrounds and new challenges

PUBG: New State features an entirely revamped interface. The lobby and character models have received significant refinements. Unfortunately, players cannot transfer their existing accounts from earlier versions of the battle royale game to PUBG: New State, necessitating a fresh start. On a positive note, you can now log in using your Facebook or Google accounts, though the option to use Twitter has been removed.

PUBG: New State introduces two new maps: Troi and Erangel 2051. Currently, there is one map available for Team Deathmatch (TDM): Station. Erangel remains the most beloved map among PUBG players — a true classic. Erangel 2051, as the name implies, takes place in the year 2051 and retains familiar cities but introduces damaged buildings, reflecting the aftermath of various conflicts.

The brand new map, Troi, is well-crafted and invites chaos typical of the PUBG franchise. Multiple new urban areas, including City Hall, Graveyard, Factory, and Garrison, enhance the battleground experience. Similarly sized to Erangel at 8×8 km, during my gameplay, I observed numerous players descending into «The Mall,» which seems to parallel «Pochinki» from Erangel. Notably, locations like ‘Trailer Park’ feature ramps for stylish escapes during hostile encounters — though I often ended up tumbling off my bike, but that’s a tale for another time.

The Exhibit Hall, situated centrally in Troi, offers ample loot to take down enemy squads, with an open roof allowing for dynamic battles. Interestingly, Troi includes bulletproof glass, providing cover from enemy fire, identifiable by a blue tint. Such glasses abound in areas like the Exhibit Hall and Laboratory within PUBG: New State.

A feature I appreciated in PUBG: New State is seeing the names of all cities displayed at the start of each match. Names like Pochinki, Rozhok, School, and more are visible from an aerial perspective while you’re aboard the plane. This clarity alleviates confusion regarding similarly named locations.

City names are now visible from the airplane’s view
Photo Credit: Robin John/Gadgets360

With Troi, you’ll also discover an array of new vehicles, showcasing futuristic designs. To start, these vehicles operate on batteries, consistent with expectations for vehicles in 2051. Furthermore, they include an auto-pilot feature where the driver can toggle between manual and automated modes while keeping control of steering; PUBG: New State’s AI autonomously manages acceleration. Battery-operated vehicles produce less noise than traditional gas-guzzlers, though they remain audible up close. It’s worth noting that driving an electric vehicle outside the zone increases battery usage.

If you’re looking to switch up your travel options in PUBG: New State, trams can be utilized. These trams traverse the battlefield and can be particularly helpful when you’re in a tight spot. While they aren’t speedy, they serve their intended purpose.

PUBG New State gameplay

Shifting our focus to gameplay, player movement mechanisms and gun handling in PUBG: New State resemble those found in previous versions like PUBG Mobile and BGMI. However, it is clear that certain modifications have been made, significant enough to mention.

To start, the gameplay now feels reminiscent of the PC version of PUBG, a point I raised in our earlier first impressions piece. If you find yourself cornered by enemies, you can roll for quick cover by double-tapping the crouch button or configure a separate button for it in the settings.

In BGMI, every weapon required some form of scope, such as Red Dot or Holographic sights. However, PUBG: New State has shifted this dynamic; all firearms come with a pre-installed red dot sight, which I found favorable as I prefer its simplicity over Holographic options. Additionally, a new sight called ‘Viper’ has been introduced, which is similar to the red dot yet boasts a fresh design in line with PUBG: New State’s aesthetics.

The shoulder-fire feature in action
Photo Credit: Robin John/Gadgets360

PUBG: New State also introduces a new quick-firing technique. The shoulder-fire option allows players to engage without using a scope, providing a more realistic approach during close-range encounters. Personally, I found this beneficial for controlling recoil and improving my spray control, although it does require some time to adjust. Players can switch between hip-fire and shoulder-fire options in the settings for those who favor traditional methods.

PUBG New State: an arsenal of weapons

Should you find yourself exposed outdoors with no cover, PUBG: New State allows you to deploy a shield for protection, a lifesaver when under siege. The shields come in two types: a single-door variant and a three-door variant, both effective in shielding you from enemy fire.

New melee weapons have also been added, including options like a hatchet, wrench, and shovel. These can be thrown at adversaries to keep them at bay and can inflict significant damage if aimed accurately.

Regarding firearms, PUBG: New State retains most guns from previous iterations while introducing minor additions to the inventory. The DSR-I is a bolt-action rifle that utilizes the same 7.62mm ammunition as the M24 and features a taller build compared to the Kar98k or M24. Its sound upon firing is impressive, though not quite as satisfying as the AWM. The DSR-I can be found in the wild, rather than in specific loot boxes, allowing ample opportunities to select between the 7.62mm offerings.

The Dyneema Vest joins PUBG: New State with some tweaks, enhancing protection against short- and mid-range rounds like 9mm, 5.56mm, and .45ACP. However, it does come with vulnerabilities against heavier rounds like the 7.62mm, 12 Gauge, and .300 Magnum. Furthermore, new weapon customization kits allow modifications on how a gun operates.

For instance, the double-barrel S685-6 can be customized to discharge both shells simultaneously. You can also reduce the Mini 14’s horizontal recoil. The customization options are plentiful — I modified an MK47 Mutant to switch from burst mode to auto, which suits my playstyle better. Various other modifications can be made with numerous weapons available in the game.

PUBG New State: ready for shopping?

It’s evident that PUBG: New State is steeped in futuristic themes. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, we now have drones! Specifically, a ‘Drone Shop’ where you can purchase ammunition, medical kits, EV batteries, and other emergency essentials — including flare guns, red and green (we’ll delve deeper into that later).

Items acquired from the shop utilize drone credits found scattered throughout the map. After choosing necessary items, players can place their order. A drone, releasing blue smoke, hovers above and drops your requested items in PUBG: New State.

Purchase essential supplies from the Drone Shop
Photo Credit: Robin John/Gadgets360

But do remember that these transactions can attract hostile players. The noise from the drone and the blue smoke can pique the interest of nearby enemies. Conversely, you can also set up traps using the drone system for enemies you suspect may be hiding nearby.

The shop also offers a ‘Scout Drone’ function to help identify adversaries lurking within a building. For those familiar with Crypto from Apex Legends, it operates in a similar way. However, this drone does not inflict damage and is solely used for scouting, making it perfect for ambush planning.

PUBG New State: returning from the abyss

PUBG: New State unveils a new recruitment system. A typical squad consists of four players, and when you eliminate an opposing team, all members are downed instead of killed unless you choose to finish them off. You can then select a player to revive, integrating them into your team along with access to voice chat. However, your squad cannot exceed four players at any time, and you can only recruit if a member of your team has either been eliminated or disconnected.

As for the respawn mechanic, remember that green flare gun I mentioned earlier? It serves to revive teammates at a cost of about 1,200 drone credits. You can only revive one teammate at a time, in contrast to previous systems requiring the deceased player’s ID for resurrection. After being revived, players resurface empty-handed from the sky, ready to start anew. Ensure that you don’t attempt a revival amid chaos, as it could lead to unfavorable outcomes.

PUBG New State review conclusion

I consider PUBG: New State to be an excellent game, delivering new maps, weapons, features, and much more. Despite encountering some initial bugs and glitches, my overall gaming experience was fantastic. The refreshing gameplay coupled with appealing gear truly drew me in. Nonetheless, transitioning to PUBG: New State means starting your journey in the battle royale franchise from square one.

As previously noted, you cannot migrate your past account, achievements, ranks, or accolades into this new game, which influences my desire to switch to PUBG: New State. Additionally, the game is quite demanding on mobile devices. If you’re using a less powerful phone, you may not experience the game as smoothly as I did.

Nonetheless, the game offers an innovative experience and provides a glimpse into the future. Adapting to the refined gameplay may take time, but I recommend giving it a shot before making any final decisions. Who knows? You might find yourself enjoying this new futuristic adventure.

Pros:

• Gameplay akin to PC versions
• New guns, vehicles, and maps
• Drones, revival, and recruitment mechanics enhance game engagement
• Superior graphics and lighting
• Incorporation of futuristic aspects

Cons:

• Inability to carry over old accounts into PUBG: New State
• Some bugs and glitches that may disrupt gameplay
• High graphical demands on mobile devices

Rating (out of 10): 8

PUBG: New State is downloadable on Android and iOS devices. It’s free to play and includes in-app purchases, such as gun skins and player cosmetics, without any pay-to-win elements.

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