Apex Legends Season 3 Review
New Map
With the launch of Season 3, Apex Legends have really thrown everything down on the table, and it has shocked the nation. It hasn’t really shocked the nation, but it really is a massive change in the world of legends. After grinding since its release, I have started to learn the map and get more acclimated within this new world. The aesthetic of the plan is exciting, it’s sort of a mix of fire & ice with some Yellowstone type geysers, a tilted tower looking monstrosity called capital city, and finally the train. Honestly, I like the map, I think having some map change really keeps the game alive, and can help the game stay relevant and make people want to learn. I think that’s one of the downfalls Fortnite hit is the fear of completely changing their map. Yes, adding a few small elements and adding a new zone can shake things up a bit, but an entirely new plan absolutely changes the game. It forces players to develop a new strategies, it makes everyone start back at the beginning and creates a handicap for all players as there is a new learning curve within the game. I can see that people don’t like the new map because change is scary, and there are a few things that rub me the wrong way. The addition of Capital City is understandable, my understanding is they wanted to create a new high PVP (Player vs. Player) close-quarter area that will always be a hotspot. It is smart because it immediately creates a drop zone that a decent amount of squads will go every time, and it will spread the map and make it more accessible for other players who don’t want to drop straight into a fight. Finally, the last thing I want to address is the removal of the supply ship and the addition of the train. I really enjoyed the supply ship, and the train is essentially the same concept but something about dropping into a flying ship that felt more satisfying. Still, the Ozzy Osborne Crazy Train is a close second.
New Legend
Apex has added some great Legend over the past two seasons, and with the launch of Season 3, the new character is something a little different. Crypto is the new legend that came out with the drop of season 3, and he is a fascinating character. His Q ability is a drone that Crypto sends out that has a plethora of abilities. The drone has a range that I think is absolutely insane. You can travel across a whole circle, and you still don’t lose range and can spot enemies no problem. Another nice part of the drone is he can actually pick a retrieve card from a downed teammate, which I think is totally OP (overpowered). His ultimate ability, which you need to use your drone to activate creates an EMP. This EMP can destroy a Gibraltar shield, and anyone who also gets hit with the EMP immediately shields drain, and a shellshock effect to it. From what it looks like now and what I’ve experienced, this champ is pretty well rounded. In the right hands, this champ can be an easy assistant to a quick win if you utilize your abilities and coordinate with your squad. One thing I think needs to be tweaked on him is the range of his drone. I think the range is just absurd, and it needs to be dropped just a little. Other than that it is nice to have another champion like Bloodhound that can find enemies easily.
New Battle Pass
As most know, the start of a new season means the start of a new battle pass, which means a great reason to spend money on a game you know you shouldn’t. Of course, anyone who actively plays apex would most likely want to invest in the battle pass and might want to see if what you get out of it is worth the money. The theme of the battle pass, as it relates to the map, has an elemental/ fire & Ice theme to it. There are some nice skins for legends like an icicle looking pathfinder that sticks out like a sore thumb, but it does look nice. The gun skins within the battle pass do look nice as having some elemental features on weapons makes them look pretty sweet. One thing I thought was so cool was drop emotes, which means while you are dropping you out of the ship and you can pull out some type of emote to show off to your friends and other opponents that you can do anything. Other than that, I think the battle pass is pretty cool, I bought the boosted battle pass so I could really see what it has to offer early. I believe that if you are actively playing the game, I think it is worth the purchase. There is a really cool lifeline skin you get about halfway, and the legendary peacekeeper skins at the end are sick.
Weapons & Attachments
Finally, the last thing we tackle for this new season is the addition to a new weapon and attachment additions to the game. First is the new gun is the Charged Rifle, it is an energy sniper that shoots a fat beam of light at people that shreds your opponents. It has insane distance and can take someone out in a flash. Honestly I’ve used this gun and I for some reason cannot handle it like my opponents who can take my health down in 2 seconds from 1000 meters away. Like any new gun launch, it is going to be overpowered as it still needs to be tested in gameplay, but I hope for the upcoming patches it gets a nerf because, in the right hands, it can easily take out a squad. When It comes to attachments, two new ones have made their way into the game, and that is the Anvil Receiver and the Double Tap Trigger. The Anvil Receiver is for Flatline and the R-301 Carbine; this attachment Increases semi-auto damage but reduces the rate of fire and uses more ammo. Basically, what that means is you can turn your R-301 into a high impact sniper, and then charge in and shred your opponent. Next, the Double Tap is for the G7- Scout and The Eva-8, which is pretty self-explanatory every time you shoot it shoots two shots. It can be pretty OP. But you really have to hit your shots; otherwise, you’re just wasting ammo.
Conclusion
Overall I think the season has come off to a good start, I really enjoy the new map because I love the change and I’m excited to see what happens in the upcoming patches. There is a game mode coming out soon for Halloween, and some Halloween skins coming for a spooky theme. Stay tuned for and see how Season 3 progresses, and don’t forget to keep gaming.