Garena Free City Pre-Registration Now Open 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 the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. If you're eagerly awaiting a certain sixth installment in a renowned series, Garena Free City might just be the perfect interim thrill.

Let's be clear: Garena Free City is essentially Garena's rendition of Grand Theft Auto, set to launch on June 30th. Whether this is a hit or miss largely hinges on your personal taste. At first glance, it might seem like just another mobile clone of GTA, but a closer look reveals some promising features.

For starters, the game boasts a comprehensive character customization system that rivals that of The Sims, allowing for detailed manipulation of individual features. Unlike GTA's realistic style, Garena Free City embraces a more fantastical approach with elements like giant robots and summonable power-ups, such as deployable cover, adding a unique twist to the gameplay.

Bold & Brash Yet, it's evident that the game attempts to replicate the allure of Grand Theft Auto Online, which is somewhat disappointing given the more innovative aspects that could have been emphasized.

Timing might not be on Garena's side, as the release coincides with Ananta, another major upcoming game that promises a vast open world and quirky side quests, similar to Free City but with a distinct flair. Ananta stands out with its unique anime aesthetic, which might not appeal to everyone but certainly sets it apart. This reluctance to fully embrace its uniqueness is my primary critique of Garena Free City so far.

Want to stay ahead of the curve with the latest game launches? Check out Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," to discover upcoming titles you can dive into right now.