Indus Battle Royale Review: An Ambitious Desi Spin on the Genre, But Can it Keep Up?

Indus Battle Royale Mobile is a fascinating new entry from SuperGaming, blending the excitement of battle royale gameplay with a rich Indo-Futuristic setting. This long-awaited title, following an extensive testing period, promises a fresh take on the genre by weaving in cultural representation and unique features. Expectations were high, with many believing it could redefine the mobile gaming landscape. However, like any hyped release, Indus has faced its share of criticism, with players pointing out various shortcomings. But how much of this feedback is fair? Is it a reflection of the game's merits or the fatigue of a genre struggling with innovation? Beyond the noise, what does Indus truly offer to gamers seeking a fresh and immersive battle royale experience? Let’s uncover it all in this in-depth Indus Battle Royale review by India Today Gaming.

Gameplay: Innovation Meets Missed Opportunities

Right from the start, Indus' attempt to break the monotony of traditional battle royale games is visible. Introducing mechanics like the Grudge System—a feature allowing players to settle scores from past matches—and the Cosmium Clutch, a unique victory condition tied to securing a special in-game object during the final circle. These features inject strategy and unpredictability into matches, setting Indus apart from many of its peers.

However, while these innovations are noteworthy, the lack of essential gameplay mechanics is glaring. The absence of leaning and prone actions—a staple in many successful battle royale games—feels restrictive. Moreover, the reliance on a single vehicle type, the Tofaan bike, limits tactical diversity. Ofcourse, the most disappointing is the gunplay. Shooting mechanics feel clunky, with poor aiming and hit registration that struggle especially on low- to mid-range devices.

The gunplay, while unpolished in some areas, draws clear inspiration from Apex Legends Mobile, delivering a dynamic and fast-paced experience that feels impressive during intense combat situations.

Design: A Heartfelt Ode to Creativity and Cultural Identity

Indus Battle Royale Mobile is a game that wears its Indian heart proudly. From the moment you meet characters like Morni, Sirtaj, Heena, Pokhran, and Mech-Balika, you can feel the passion that went into designing them. Each avatar reflects Indian culture in a way that’s not just visually stunning but emotionally resonant. It’s clear the team, led by talents like Rohan P. Anil, poured their hearts into creating an experience that’s both deeply rooted in our heritage and exciting for gamers.

The weapons are just as impressive, each one a masterpiece of futuristic imagination and cultural nods. Whether it’s the sleek SFR-4 or the fierce Tempest CFA, the attention to detail is breathtaking.

Graphics: A Vision Undermined by Execution

Despite its cultural richness, the game’s visuals fall short of the promise seen in its early trailers. The lone available map, Virlok, suffers from lackluster textures, dull environments, and an overall cartoonish appearance that falls short of modern gaming standards. While the cultural touch is appreciated, such as the integration of Indian architecture and motifs, the lack of polish in character models and environments undermines immersion.

Optimization Struggles

One of the major disadvantages of this game is its optimization. Even when played on high-end devices or budget models, there are noticeable frame drops and lag in the gameplay. This is compounded by the lack of smooth responsive controls and poorly calibrated aim assist. Since the game seems to be primarily targeting the Indian audience, it is surprising that users with low-end devices have not been taken into consideration.

Also Read: Indus Battle Royale Hits 1 Million Downloads on Day 1; Here’s Why it's a Big Deal

Smaller Modes Shine Brighter

 

Surprisingly, Indus delivers a better experience in its Team Deathmatch (TDM) and Mini TDM modes. These fast-paced matches showcase smoother gameplay, minimal lag, and tighter graphics, offering a glimpse of what the game could achieve with more refinement. The Firing Range mode is another highlight, allowing players to fine-tune their controls and practice in a lag-free environment.

Cultural Flair that's actually in Gameplay

Again, One of Indus' most charming aspects is its cultural representation. From Bollywood-inspired emotes to items like the Chappal melee weapon humorously dubbed "Maa ka pyaar" (Mother's love), these elements give the game a distinctly Indian identity. However, the characters lack distinct abilities or backstories, which diminishes their impact and leaves them feeling underdeveloped.

In-Game Monetization

The in-game store offers a range of items, including cosmetics, crates, and event-themed rewards. Players can enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money, thanks to its fair free-to-play mechanics. The addition of low-cost offers such as the Daily Value Pack and a reasonably priced Battlepass, which is often centered around festivals like Diwali, makes the monetization system even better.

Also Read: Indian Game Indus Battle Royale Makes History, Announces INR 2.5 Crore Prize Pool Before Game Launch

Latest 1.2.0 Update: Promised Fixes and Improvements

The latest 1.2.0 update was released recently for Indus Battle Royale Mobile, and it appears that the developers were able to respond to a number of issues related to players, promising significant changes with the update. Enhanced graphics quality was also introduced with the update therefore fixing some of the graphical disparities experienced by the players before. Moreover, the update also addressed several sound and voice chat problems, introduced an additional hip fire sensitivity option, and increased the overall sensitivity span in order to allow finer control adjustments.

Although these updates have clarified the graphics somewhat and enhanced some gameplay aspects, the graphics are still not up to the level of even modern games. The bug fixes embedded in the update have slightly improved the experience overall, but the game still requires a lot of optimization in order to live up to its initial promise.

Pros and Cons of Indus Battle Royale Mobile

Pros

• Unique features like the Grudge System and Cosmium Clutch.
• Smaller game modes (TDM and Mini TDM) deliver smoother experiences.
• Affordable and fair in-game monetization.
• Cultural representation through Indian-themed items and characters.

Cons

• Character abilities were missed.
• Subpar graphics and dull map designs.
• Poor optimization across devices, leading to frequent lag.
• Unrefined gunplay and clunky controls.
• Limited content, including just one map and vehicle option.

Final Words: A Bold Step That Needs Firmer Footing

Indus Battle Royale Mobile brings a refreshing idea to the gaming world with its rich cultural representation and unique features. Its Indo-Futuristic aesthetic, combined with creative mechanics like the Grudge System and Cosmium Clutch, shows a promising effort to innovate within a genre often criticized for stagnation. The cultural nods—from Bollywood-inspired emotes to clever in-game items like "Maa ka pyaar"—offer a delightful connection to its Indian roots, setting it apart in terms of identity.

However, cultural elements alone cannot carry a game to success. While Indus’ heart is in the right place, its core gameplay remains tethered to traditional battle royale mechanics that fail to offer a standout experience against global competitors like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile. The absence of standout features such as character abilities, coupled with technical issues like poor optimization and unrefined gunplay, feels like a missed opportunity—especially when the mobile gaming market is ripe for a hero shooter to fill the gap left by Apex Legends Mobile.

SuperGaming’s effort is a strong foundation, but it falls short of the polish and refinement required to truly shine in a competitive space. While Indus has the potential to grow into a great title, its current state reflects a game that still needs significant development to match its ambitions. For now, it’s a good first step with a lot of heart, but one that will need more substance to carve out its place in the global gaming landscape.