Apex Legends Is Still The Best Battle Royale, And It’s Not Even Close

I was able to skydive in battle royale for the first time on the early access version PUBG. The SCAR–L was my first battle royale skydive. I quickly defeated all of my foes. While there were brief moments that brought me joy, the task of procuring the chicken dinner was too difficult and took up most of my time. Fortnite’s cartoonish aesthetic and enticing crossovers scratched my casual FPS itch, but the base-building mechanic constantly shattered combat momentum. Warzone’s sensory overload was downright overwhelming. With arena sizes that seemingly rivaled open-world games, a high combatant count, and annoying purchasable killstreaks, Call of Duty’s battle royale reminded me that less is more. 

And then there’s Apex Legends, the great equalizer – where skill, tactics, and dumb luck (RNG) coalesced into intense, energetic bouts. Apex Legends was launched five years ago, a surprise launch. Legends is still the most popular battle royale game. 

Titanfall’s parkour physics demonstrated that flashy animations complement tight gunplay and empower players. Apex Legends may not feature wall running or mech explosions, but their movement is fluid. Matches are exhilarating, fast, and efficient thanks to their agility, speed, sliding, crawling, wall jumping and changing direction mid-air. Moreover, interactions beyond simply firing your R-301 or chucking a Thermite reward experimental/strategic play. A knockdown shield can not only be useful for incapacitated people, but it also has the potential to serve as mobile protection for those with lower health. I can’t count the number of times I’ve frantically popped a shield battery or reloaded my Wingman behind a downed ally to save the day. Blocking enterable doors with Loba’s Black Market Boutique or kidnapping unsuspecting adversaries with Wraith’s Dimensional Rift are other great examples of how Apex Legends’ mechanical depth redefines engagements. 

Smaller squads mean that encounters aren’t prolonged, but compact maps also catalyze third-parties. One firefight is over, and another one will soon follow. This keeps the tension high and generally leads to shorter matches (who doesn’t love to get some rounds in before work?).  

At the heart of Apex Legends’ charm is its infectious ensemble cast. PUBG’s stripped character creator, Fortnite’s various skin-deep cosmetics, and Warzone’s forgettable avatars don’t hold a candle to Respawn Entertainment’s eccentric prizefighters. Narrative beats tend to be peripheral – revealed in cinematic trailers or comics – but voice lines, ability kits, and lore events contextualize character motivations. Bangalore, the latest badass trooper from a military family. When pinged, she often makes comments about the best weapon attachments. Wattson is a lighthearted genius who might make silly electricity puns to celebrate a victory.

Some squad combinations also trigger unusual barks or conversations. Loba is hostile to Revenant, her parent’s killer, but is appropriately warmer to alleged love interest Valkyrie. These diverse personalities contribute to the competitive shooter’s replayability and, more importantly, make players feel attached to their legend of choice.

With the addition of Newcastle the defensive warrior, major changes to Storm Point’s beaches, and tweaks in ranked modes that foster teamplay, Season 13 is underway. Apex Legends is a game unlike any other. It sets new standards for battle royales by offering simple controls and attractive equipment such as finishers and heirlooms. The Apex Legends team also offers strong support from the developers through recurring or original seasonal events. If you’re looking for a multiplayer experience that perfectly balances competitivity with flashy fun, look no further than the untamed, laser-ridden frontiers of the Outlands.