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

Garena Free City, the latest addition to the developer's expansive portfolio, is now open for pre-registration on both iOS and Android devices in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. If you've been eagerly awaiting a certain sixth installment in a well-known series, Garena Free City might just be the perfect interim fix.

Let's be straightforward: this game is Garena's interpretation of Grand Theft Auto, set to launch on June 30th. Whether this is a positive or negative development hinges on your personal taste. At a first glance, it might seem like a run-of-the-mill mobile clone of GTA. However, a closer look reveals some promising features.

For starters, Garena Free City boasts a comprehensive character customization system, akin to what you'd find in The Sims, allowing for detailed manipulation of individual features. It diverges from GTA's realistic style by introducing elements like giant robots and summonable power-ups, including deployable cover, adding a unique flair to the gameplay.

**Bold & Brash**

However, the game's attempt to mimic the appeal of Grand Theft Auto Online might be its downfall. While the more eccentric features are certainly eye-catching, they also highlight the game's efforts to emulate rather than innovate. This could be a misstep, especially considering the timing of its release.

Garena might have picked an inopportune moment to launch Free City. Although I believe there's no such thing as a definitive game in a single genre on mobile, the upcoming release of Ananta, which boasts a vast open world and quirky side quests similar to Free City, poses a significant challenge. Ananta distinguishes itself with a unique anime aesthetic, potentially drawing players away from Free City. My primary critique of Free City is its reluctance to fully embrace its distinctiveness.

If you're keen on staying updated with the latest game releases, why not explore Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," to discover upcoming titles you can play right now?