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

Garena Free City, the latest addition to the developer's expansive lineup, is now open for pre-registration on both iOS and Android devices across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. If you've been eagerly awaiting the next installment in a beloved series, Garena Free City might just be the perfect placeholder until that day arrives.

Let's be candid: Garena Free City is Garena's interpretation of Grand Theft Auto, set to hit the market on June 30th. Whether this is a welcome addition or not hinges on your personal taste. At first glance, it might seem like another uninspired mobile clone of GTA, but a closer look reveals some intriguing features.

One standout aspect is its extensive character customization system, reminiscent of The Sims, allowing you to tweak individual features to your heart's content. Unlike the more realistic approach of GTA, Garena Free City dives into a more fantastical realm, complete with giant robots and summonable power-ups like deployable cover.

However, it's evident that the game heavily borrows from the allure of Grand Theft Auto Online, which is a bit of a letdown given the innovative elements that could have set it apart. The timing of Garena Free City's release might also be less than ideal. With Ananta, another major upcoming title that promises a vast open world and quirky side quests, set to launch soon, Garena Free City faces stiff competition.

Ananta aims to differentiate itself with an anime aesthetic, which might not appeal to everyone but certainly strives to offer something unique. This is where Garena Free City falls short; it doesn't fully embrace its potential to stand out, which is my primary critique so far.

If you're keen on staying updated with the latest game launches, be sure to check out Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," where you can discover upcoming games available to play right now.