What is Apex Legends?

Apex Legends is a free-to-play first-person battle royale-style shooter available for download on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. In case you've been hiding under a rock for a while and have no idea what Battle Royale is, the gameplay is pretty simple. 60 players are dropped onto a battlefield where they must search for weapons, loot, and ammo while competing with other players. An ever-shrinking ring makes the players get closer and closer together, until only a handful are left and a single team becomes the winner. Set 30 years after the events of Titanfall 2, Apex Legends is set in a place called Outlands, where both humans and robots are forced to compete for victory in the Apex games. 20 squads of three players each fight a fierce battle for survival. This battle takes place on several maps - Kings Canyon, Olympus and World's Edge. Apex Legends isn't Titanfall 3, though, so don't expect mechsuits, wallrunning, double jumps or similar mechanics. There is fast-paced gameplay, including the ability to glide across the ground or go down slopes. There's also a brilliant weapon style, but fans of Titanfall might be disappointed if they were expecting more from the franchise from this game.

How does it differ from other Battle Royale games?

Apex Legends stands out from other Battle Royale games by including human and robot heroes known as "Legends" - these are hero characters with special abilities and tactics that set them apart in battle. Think Overwatch, but with Battle Royale-like gameplay. This is quite unusual, as most other games in this genre level the playing field by all starting with simple characters that have no physical attributes or abilities that give them the upper hand over their opponents. The abilities of the different characters are well coordinated and can be used to complement the group and form an efficient combat unit. The game is also unusual in that it currently only supports three-player groups. So you can either play with them or with duos (only with another friend). Another difference arises when you join a game. One member of the squad is selected as the "Jumpmaster" - essentially the squad leader who decides where the team lands. The other players in the squad are tied to the Jumpmaster when they target the landing site to make sure the entire team sticks together and is ready to go. Other highlights include the ability to zip across the map using cable cars and board various hot air balloons to glide across open terrain to another location. Players can also use things like air strikes to finish off opposing teams. In Apex Legends, it's also possible to revive fallen teammates. If one of your teammates dies but you survive the battle, you can go to their loot box, pick up their banner/data chip, and take them to a green respawn location. From there, you can call them back into the fight. This is risky as it takes time and you could get killed yourself, but it's worth the effort to keep the team at full strength. Resurrected teammates may not have weapons when they return, but at least it increases the number of players again. Also, if you die, you don't have to watch until the end of the game. It's also important to note that there is no fall damage, so you won't have to worry about dying horribly if you fall from a high place.

Loot and Equipment

Apex Legends is similar to other battle royale games in that there are loot scattered around the map in different levels that you can collect. Not only weapons, but also armor. These are of varying quality, which is emphasized by the colors - gray, blue, purple and gold. There's the usual armor style with helmets and such to collect, but there's also a shield mechanic and the ability to recharge both shield and health by finding boosts during the game. Killing other players will give you access to their equipment. Defeated players drop loot crates. These crates are highlighted in different colors so you know which player has the most valuable equipment and what you should loot first. Players can also mark items and enemies for their team with a "ping" system. This informs the team of important things nearby and is a great option for those who don't have or don't want to use a microphone. Visual and audible pings make it easier to catch the attention of friends and keep the group together. A cool feature of Apex Legends is the simple way in which looting works. When you change your weapons, all the attachments you had are automatically transferred to the new weapon, saving you the hassle and time of having to adjust them manually. Another outstanding feature of Apex Legends is the champion. This is a specific single player in a specific game. The winner of a previous game, who is now considered the most important player in the new game - if only because killing this game brings more experience points. An image of this champion is projected on huge screens in the game world to constantly remind other players of his value. If you're subscribed to Origin Access, PlayStation Plus, or EA Access, you'll get some loot before you even start.

Levels and experience points

By playing and winning matches, players gain experience points. With these points, you eventually level up. Each time you reach a new level, you also get rewards like Apex packs and Legend tokens. The game level is capped at 500, but you can continue to earn Legend Tokens even after you reach the maximum level.

What characters are there?

In Apex Legends, there are a number of different characters with their own special abilities. These "legends" allow you to choose a character that fits your play style and customizes your experience. These legends have both a tactical move and an ultimate ability. They have a cooldown to keep them from being overused and to keep the game balanced. Each legend also has a passive ability that it can use during the game. There are currently several main legends available, and more may be unlocked in the future. You can unlock the other characters by earning 12,000 Legend Tokens in game sessions. The developers will monitor how these characters are used and tweak the game to ensure a balanced and well-rounded experience.

Bloodhound

At first glance, this player's abilities seem almost overpowered. Bloodhound is a technological tracker - that is, he can stalk enemies and reveal their location with ease. With Bloodhound you'll be able to see enemies through walls and clouds of smoke, and even track their footprints.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a burly, armor-like character with a big personality. He has a protective dome that can temporarily shield teammates from harm, a personal shield for close combat, and the ability to launch an aerial attack. Gibraltar is the ideal character for players who prefer a defensive play style.

Caustic

Caustic is essentially an evil scientist with a bad attitude. He has poison gas traps, Nox gas grenades, and the ability to see anyone unfortunate enough to be covered in the gas and still survive. He is considered another defensive class like Gibraltar and is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Lifeline

Lifeline is the supporting medic that can use passive and active healing abilities. These include using a healing drone that gives teammates an extra health boost, activating a small shield that protects downed teammates while they are revived, and an ultimate ability that allows her to summon a care package. This care package is filled with random weapon and health items - so it pays to have Lifeline on your team.

Bangalore

Bangalore is probably the favorite character of Titanfall fans. She can sprint faster when under fire, fire a smoke launcher to provide cover for the squad, and also call in an artillery attack. Bangalore is the soldier class and a real fighter.

Wraith

Wraith is a very special legend who has the ability to manipulate space-time by opening rifts in the fabric of reality. This means that she can turn invisible for a certain amount of time, move between two places using portals, and is also able to mark enemies for her party.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder is a strange-looking robot with some nifty abilities. He has a grappling hook that he can use to dash across the map and get to enemies. He also has a very handy ability that lets him hack surveillance beacons to find out where the next ring will be - helping his team get the first one. His ultimate ability is a zipline that the entire squad can use to quickly get out of (or into) danger.

Mirage

Mirage can use various holographic devices to fool enemy fighters and make them shoot in the wrong place. With his ultimate ability, he can use multiple holograms to really confuse the enemy. His use should certainly make for some interesting gameplay.

Wattson

Wattson is a legend introduced in the second season. She has a "perimeter security ability" that allows her to deploy electric fences, block incoming missiles and fully charge the group's shields.

Crypto

Crypto has flying drones that he can use to spy on his enemies from afar. He also has a passive ability in the form of Neurolink. With this, he sends information about the battlefield to his teammates to help them gain the upper hand.

Fuse

Fuse is a former mercenary who loves explosives. He can carry more grenades than others and has a mechanical arm that allows him to throw grenades further. He also has a cluster bomb launcher that, along with his ultimate weapon - the Motherload - explodes from above and traps enemies in a ring of fire.

Horizon

Horizon has special abilities such as the gravity boost, which allows her to shoot her teammates up into the sky and onto higher ground, where she then has a height advantage. She can also use this ability to levitate enemies in the air and shoot at them while they are confused. Her ultimate ability creates a black hole that pulls enemies out of cover and into the line of fire.

Loba

Loba has a teleportation ability that allows her to move to a new location within throwing distance at lightning speed. She can also see prey through walls, which is quite handy when equipping.

Octane

Octane has robotic legs and uses stim boosters to move quickly. It also has a jump pad that launches it high into the air. This is the right choice if you want to be constantly on the move.

Rampart

Rampart can put up a shield that not only provides a good defensive position, but also "charges" bullets when you fire over it at the enemy, making you and your team even more deadly. A deployable ultimate machine gun also makes it an even bigger threat.

Revenant

Revenant has a special ability that allows him to stop enemy forces, which seems pretty powerful. He can also climb up the sides of buildings and reach places where you wouldn't expect it.

Seer

Seer can see the enemy's heartbeat over a short distance. He can also fire a drone that highlights enemies in the area, making it easier to find and take them out.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie has a jetpack that allows her to take to the skies while directing fire at the enemy with small rocket launchers on her back. With her ultimate ability, she can also launch her entire team high into the air - perfect for getting out of danger or giving enemies an advantage.

Can Apex Legends be played cross-platform?

No. Although Apex Legends is playable on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, it does not currently support cross-platform play. However, EA has announced that crossplay will be available later this year.

What are ranked leagues?

Starting with the second season, Apex Legends introduces a ranked league mode that allows competitive players to compete for scoreboard glory. This ranked mode includes a leaderboard that allows players to see how they stack up against the competition, but it also features a skill-based matchmaking system that ensures players are matched against other players with similar skill levels. This makes for a more even playing field and a much more competitive game. Players who participate in ranked mode will also gain access to in-game rewards at the end of the season, based on the rank achieved during that period. Ranked leagues have different ranks divided into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Apex Predator. All players start the league at the Bronze rank, but can work their way up through the ranks as the season progresses. Games at higher ranks cost RP (Silver costs 1 RP, Gold costs 2 RP, Platinum costs 3 RP, and so on), but you can also earn up to 17 RP during a game. The best way to earn RP is to get kills and finish in the top ranks.

What about microtransactions?

Apex Legends is a free-to-play game, but there are microtransactions. These include loot boxes (known as Apex Packs) and a premium currency called Apex Coins. This can be used to buy cosmetic items from the store - skins, weapon camouflage, and other cosmetic items that have no effect on gameplay. You can also pay real money for new legends or grind through the game to unlock them. There is no money to be won in Apex Legends, but it is carefully balanced to ensure that everyone gets a fair game.

What is the Battle Pass?

Apex Legends also has a similar seasonal system to Fortnite. It is a Battle Pass that rewards Apex Legends players with in-game cosmetic items. These rewards include seasonal items and Apex Packs. EA says, "Any player can unlock some of these items each season through normal play; those who choose to purchase the Battle Pass can earn everything available that season, about 100 different rewards." Players can keep what they earn and continue to use it in the next season. Each Apex Legends season will last about three months, and future seasons promise new weapons, loot and characters to unlock.