Fortnitemares 2025 [IMPRESSIONS]

As someone who has absolutely adored Fortnitemares over the last few years, I can say without any hesitation at all that Fortnitemares 2025 is the BEST one yet. Whilst we get a new spin on the world of Fortnite each spooky season, this year feels like a true haunted spectacle – between Doja Cat’s dark transformation as the lead for the event, beloved horror-movie icons making their debut, and map changes made for Halloween chaos, it truly does feel like a love letter to players who live for the sinister side of Fortnite.

Every Fortnitemares brings a few eerie twists to the main island, with it reshaped in ghostly little ways that help make it feel that bit more haunted. This year, some familiar locations have been swapped out for Halloween-themed points of interest, with the old Star Wars-themed Resistance Base now Creepy Camps, a forested area that looks like it was pulled straight from a classic horror movie. Down south, Freaky Fields replaces the former Outpost Enclave, bringing back a bit of that rustic, scarecrow-lined vibe that long-time players will undoubtedly recognize. There are smaller details across the island too, and don’t worry, there are plenty of pumpkin patches that have cropped up to keep the Halloween vibe alive too.

And, of course, the presence of Doja Cat’s Mother of Thorns adds to this, with her influence spreading across the landscape in a variety of ways. Admittedly, she didn’t take the spotlight for me (especially with so many horror icons showing up this year), but her role as the face of Fortnitemares 2025 has been wonderfully implemented… she’s the mainstream spirit of this year’s event, part music diva, part Halloween witch-queen.

She also shows up as a fun little boss fight in Battle Royale, and if you beat her, she’ll join you for the rest of the match. The star of the boss showdowns, though? Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13^th fame, whose ominous presence perfectly replicates that of the movies. His behaviour is more brute-force than anything, with him walking slowly but menacingly, and once you engage him, the fight becomes a test of distance, weapon-choice, and making sure he doesn’t machete you to death… I love it. They’re tantalising encounters that really give Fortnitemares 2025 that deadly horror movie feel, and believe me, you’ve got to watch out for more than just rival players if you hope to stay alive.

Oh, and for fans of the Scream franchise? There have been Hidden Stalkboxes scattered around the island that let you answer a phone call, and when you do, you become Ghostface himself. The transformation gives you the Last Call melee weapon and a burst of speed that turns you into a silent, sprinting menace, and it’s absolutely bloody brilliant. It’s temporary, sure, but in those few moments, you’ll feel like you’re part of a slasher set piece that really lives up to the menacing reputation of Ghostface. It’s frightening for your enemies, fun for you, and totally in line with the spirit of the event, all whilst capturing the terrifying thrills of the Scream franchise (but without the R rating).

Reload mode also gets a Halloween makeover this year with the arrival of Nitemare Island – instead of just adding decorations, we’ve got an entirely separate island tuned to Reload’s faster pace. It looks fantastic, and with a slew of Halloween and horror-themed locales to battle opponents across, it gives every firefight a horror-movie edge that makes the experience all the more alluring for those looking for some spooks. Whilst Battle Royale is undoubtedly the star of Fortnite, Fortnitemares 2025 has shown a lot of love to Reload players – so much so that it has even made a Reload player out of me.

Epic have made a real effort to bring the wonderful horrors of Halloween to the gameplay experience, but it’s the cosmetics you can buy during Fortnitemares 2025 that feel REALLY special. Jason, Ghostface, and The Grabber (from Black Phone) have headlined the scary-horror side so far, while Wednesday Addams and Scooby Doo (and the rest of the gang) have brought lighter spooky charm that’s better suited for younger players. We’ve even got the likes of Art the Clown coming soon too, so it really is covering both some old-school favourites and modern horror icons this year. It’s hard not to admire how much variety there is this … you can go full slasher, full glam-goth, or just embrace campy Halloween fun… it’s all here, and it really showcases just how much love and care Epic have put into making this year’s Fortnitemares a memorable spectacle.

Personally, Fortnitemares 2025 really feels like everything I’ve ever wanted from Fortnite’s spooky season (and I’m not only saying that because I’ve been waiting for years for Ghostface). It strikes the perfect balance between fun and fright, offering enough spooky atmosphere in Battle Royale to satisfy long-time players, all whilst giving players something fresh to sink their teeth into Reload’s Nightmare Island. Every part of this event just feels carefully considered and worth exploring, with this not just another themed update, but a full-blown celebration of what makes Halloween in Fortnite so special.

Just expect to spend a few V-Bucks… with all of the brilliant horror-themed content that has been made available to purchase (as well as additional content that is still to drop), my wallet has been left a LOT lighter this year! And Epic, if you see this… how about Freddy Krueger next year?