Garena Free City Pre-Registration Opens in SEA, Middle East, Africa

Garena Free City, the latest addition to the developer's extensive lineup, is now open for pre-registration on both iOS and Android platforms in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. If you're eagerly awaiting the next installment in a renowned series, Garena Free City might just be the perfect interim solution.

Let's be frank: Garena Free City is Garena's interpretation of Grand Theft Auto, set to launch on June 30th. Your opinion on this game will hinge on your feelings about the GTA formula. At first glance, it might seem like just another mobile clone of GTA, but a closer look reveals some intriguing elements.

For starters, the game boasts a comprehensive character customization system, akin to the detailed feature manipulation seen in The Sims. Unlike GTA's more grounded approach, Garena Free City embraces a whimsical style, complete with giant robots and deployable power-ups like summonable cover.

However, it's clear that much of the game's design seeks to replicate the allure of Grand Theft Auto Online. This approach is somewhat disappointing because the more unconventional aspects of the game are truly captivating.

Timing might be an issue for Garena with Free City's release. While I believe no single game can dominate a genre on mobile, the upcoming Ananta, which boasts a vast open world and quirky side quests similar to Free City, might overshadow it. Ananta distinguishes itself with a unique anime aesthetic, which might not appeal to everyone but certainly sets it apart. The reluctance of Free City to fully embrace its distinctiveness is my primary concern so far.

Stay ahead of the game with the latest launches by checking out Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," where you can discover upcoming games available for play right now.