Apex Legends’ Approach to Battle Royale: How Respawn Revolutionized the Genre

Be it as it may, Apex Legends brought something new to the genre. Battle Royale became a popular genre back in 2017, but it was mostly various PUBG clones until Apex came around.

With it came a variety of new decisions – both for design and gameplay. As a result, people saw that BRs can be different.

Levelupper.com prepared a brief breakdown of the recipe that makes Apex so unique.

Unique Character-Based Gameplay

Apex Legends broke away from the conventional battle royale formula by introducing a roster of diverse ‘Legends.’ Each Legend comes with a distinct personality, backstory, and set of unique abilities, creating a vibrant and immersive experience.

Respawn’s game design introduced specialized roles for Legends, categorizing them as Offensive, Defensive, Support, or Recon. This strategic approach reshaped battle royale dynamics, as players learned to leverage their Legend’s abilities to fit their team’s composition and playstyle.

Squad-Centric Gameplay

Apex Legends placed a significant emphasis on cooperative team dynamics. With squad sizes limited to three players, teamwork became paramount. Coordinating abilities, sharing loot, and making strategic decisions together became key elements of success.

The game introduced an innovative ping system that allowed players to communicate without voice chat. This system enabled players to ping enemies, loot, locations, and even suggest actions, enhancing the level of coordination and teamwork in the absence of voice communication.

Innovative Respawn Mechanic

Apex Legends introduced a groundbreaking respawn mechanic through the “Respawn Beacon”. When a squadmate is downed, their banner can be collected, and by reaching a Respawn Beacon, that squadmate can be brought back into the game, adding an element of strategy and second chances to each match.

This mechanic not only encouraged players to stick together but also offered a unique way to bring fallen teammates back into the fight. It reinforced the importance of teamwork and reinforced the sense of camaraderie that sets Apex Legends apart from other battle royales.

Evolving Narrative and Map Changes

Apex Legends’ commitment to storytelling is evident through its seasonal updates. With each new season, the game’s narrative advances, revealing more about the Legends, their backgrounds, and the unfolding events in the Apex Games. This approach keeps players engaged and invested in the evolving story.

The game introduced transformative map changes, such as the destruction of key locations or the introduction of entirely new areas with each season. These alterations keep the gameplay experience fresh, encouraging players to adapt their strategies and explore the ever-evolving landscape of Kings Canyon and World’s Edge.

Immensely Energetic

Suffice it to say, the type of Battle Royale that Respawn introduced back in 2019 can constitute its own genre. It has much in common with Titanfall, another game by this studio, which takes place in the same universe.

The result is an immensely energetic first-person shooter focused on cooperation, sound use of abilities, gun skills, and movement.