Garena Free City Pre-Registration Now Open 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 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 interpretation of Grand Theft Auto, set to launch on June 30th. Whether that's exciting or disappointing largely depends on your personal taste. On the surface, it might seem like just another mobile clone of GTA, but a closer look reveals some promising aspects.

For starters, the game boasts a comprehensive character customization system reminiscent of The Sims, allowing detailed manipulation of individual features. Unlike the more realistic approach of GTA, Garena Free City embraces a whimsical style, featuring elements like giant robots and summonable power-ups, such as deployable cover.

Bold & BrashYet, it's clear that much of the game aims to replicate the allure of Grand Theft Auto Online, which could be seen as a missed opportunity. The more unique features are certainly eye-catching and could set Free City apart.

However, the timing of Garena Free City's release might not be ideal. While no single app can dominate a genre on mobile, Ananta, another upcoming title, promises a vast open world and zany sidequests similar to Free City, but with a more distinctive flair. Ananta's anime-inspired aesthetic might not appeal to everyone, but its uniqueness is something Garena Free City seems to lack, which is my main critique so far.

Interested in staying ahead with the latest game launches? Be sure to check out Catherine's regular feature, "Ahead of the Game," to discover upcoming titles you can dive into right now.