Play report on the advance trial of Season 11 "Escape" of "Apex Legends"! New map "Storm Point" and new Legends "Ash"!

On October 20, 2021, a preview event of the new "Escape" season of Apex Legends was held online. In addition to experiencing all the new maps, legends, weapons, and other elements, a Q&A session with the developers was held on a dedicated discord server. In this issue, we will report on the details of this event.

On October 20, 2021, the new season of Apex Legends, "Escape," went online. In addition to experiencing all the new maps, legends, weapons, and other elements, a Q&A session with the developers was held on a dedicated server in Discord. In this issue, we will report on the details of the event.

New map "Storm Point" with monsters and new gimmicks

Storm Point" is the fourth new map in "Apex Legends. We were able to see a mountainous area with scattered rocks, a forested area with lush trees, and a tropical area consisting of the ocean and small islands. The map is 15% larger than the "World Edge," which has already been implemented in this title.

The "Gravity Cannon" has been added as a new gimmick at Storm Point. Legends that have been boarded can be launched with great force and moved by another Gravity Cannon on the other side. This is useful not only for meeting up with friends, but also for escaping from shrinking circles.

Although the author was not able to use it, the Gravity Cannon seems to have applications in combat as well. While in flight, the Gravity Cannon can be used to attack nearby enemies or to recover strength and body shields, since both weapons and equipment can be used freely. On the other hand, there are only a small number of gravity cannons, and their launch and landing points are fixed. During our play, we were sometimes intercepted by enemies at the landing point. To avoid being caught by surprise, you need to pay attention to the movements of the rest of the party and your own positioning.

The "Spider" and "Plowler" enemies also appear at storm points. They will appear one after another unless the nearby nests are destroyed, and when defeated, they will drop syringes and ammunition. In addition, a portion of the damage inflicted on them accumulates as reinforcement value for the evolutionary shield, so they can be used to earn damage when their own shield level is low. Incidentally, several dozen "craft metals" were obtained by destroying the nests of the plowlers and spiders. The location of enemy nests can be checked on the map.

Spiders and Plowlers

Ash, a new legend from Titanfall 2

One of the major elements of Season 11 is the new legendary "Ash," a character that appeared in Respawn's previous FPS "Titanfall 2. The abilities confirmed in the game are as follows.

Passive: Brand of Death

The death box location of the most recently deceased enemy player is displayed on the map. Pressing the crosshair down (on a controller) in front of the target death box will mark the attacker who killed the deceased. This ability can be used up to once per death box.

Tactical Ability: Arc Snare

Throws a spinning snare. The first enemy to approach the point of impact is dealt damage and can be restrained.

Ultimate: Phase Breach

Opens a one-way portal in the targeted direction.

The death brand is particularly powerful, and in this play it was able to display the positions of three people at the same time. We did not know the details of the definition of "attacker," whether it was the person who knocked down, the person who toked, or everyone who inflicted even one damage, but it was reassuring to know the enemy's position. The death box that appeared immediately after the battle could be used to unilaterally drive away enemies who were in the process of regaining their positions.

Tactical Abilities: arcane snare. When thrown, it goes straight ahead and generates an electrifying attack when the enemy gets close.

Ultimate's Phase Breach is a move-only ability similar to Wraith's Ultimate "Dimension Rift". However, unlike Dimension Rift, which allows the user to go back and forth between entrance and exit, Phase Breach is one-way. Once you go, you cannot go back. It is possible to use it again by re-entering through the entrance. Since Phase Breach can instantly deploy the entrance and exit of a portal, it may be used as a means of attack when launching a surprise attack, or as a countermeasure in case it is reversed.

Phase Breach has a range of approximately 70 meters, and if there is an obstacle in the way, the exit will be deployed in front of it. The power is 20 damage.

New "C.A.R. SMG" weapon that can use two bullets together

The "C.A.R. SMG" is another new element that will be added in the new season, as well as the Storm Point and the Ash. It can be used with both light and heavy ammo, and boasts a high rate of fire.

The fact that two types of ammo can be used does not mean that the performance will be different for each. When tested, the light ammo and heavy ammo have the same rate of fire and damage. Damage was 13 to the torso and 20 to the head. The main idea is not to switch between the two weapons to fight at close or long range, but to use them according to the number of bullets remaining.

This weapon can be used not only with bullets, but also with weapons that use light ammo and weapons that use heavy ammo, as well as with attachments for each. It is possible to shoot light ammo while equipped with a heavy magazine, and vice versa. This is very easy to use and will be especially useful if you are short on equipment at the beginning of a match. You can also freely switch the ammo you use as your main ammo with the C.A.R. SMG, depending on whether the ammo you use with the weapon you carry separately is light or heavy.

There will also be a section where developers will answer questions solicited from participants.

The event also included an opportunity for a Q&A session on the discord. Team Director Steven Ferreira, Level Designer Rodney Reece, Senior Writer Ashley Reed, Designer Devin Weise, and Associate Live Balance Designer John Larson participated in the discussion, Responses were exchanged.

When asked how Ash's hit ratio compares to other legends, Devin responded, "Basically, the hit ratio is the same as the character's body. Basically, the judging is based on the character's body. In the case of Ash, the judging is a little wider at the waist, so the judging is a little larger than for other Legends," he replied.

When asked if there are any plans to add Titan, the large robot from Titanfall, to Apex Legends, Steven replied, "I can't say for sure, but there are no specific plans at this time.

When asked if the performance of Wraith is lacking compared to the other Legends and if there are any plans to adjust the balance, John replied, "Wraith may be a little slower in some respects, but in my opinion, she will continue to be active for a long time to come. Also, Ash's arrival will not take away from her success," he commented.

In addition to reviewing Storm Point and C.A.R. SMG, he also had some interesting words to say about the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of "Apex Legends," saying that more details could be announced next year.

Season 11 "Escape," which is highly anticipated worldwide, will take place on November 3, 2021. The update is only 5 days away. Let's wait with anticipation now.

[Film info.

■Apex Legends

Genre: FPS

Compatibility: PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/Switch/PC (Origin, Steam)

Release Date:

PS4/Xbox One/PC(Origin) version 2019/2/5

Steam version 2020/11/14

Switch version 2021/3/10

iOS/Android versions scheduled for launch in 2022

Price: Free for basic play

Publisher：Electronic Arts Inc.