Apex Legends Season 21 Preview

Summary Alter's game-changing abilities introduce a disruptive element to Apex, focusing on looting, creating portals, and teleportation.

Solos mode is back in Season 21 for a limited time, with Battle Sense, auto heal, and Second Chance mechanics to enhance the solo experience.

Changes to the map, new mechanics, and gameplay balances aim to keep dedicated fans engaged but increases the already high learning curve for new players.

Season 21 of Apex Legends is preparing to deliver a villainous new legend, gameplay tweaks, map changes, and the return of the long-requested Solo mode. Respawn Entertainment has consistently delivered terrific experiences with the Titanfall franchise and Star Wars Jedi series. For the last five years, Apex Legends has maintained a dedicated fanbase for its intense FPS battle royale. While the new update doesn't look to make things any more welcoming to new fans, it should make its hardcore audience happy.

The free-to-play shooter launched in 2019 and was an instant hit with its well-constructed gameplay and varied cast of playable legends. Since then, 20 seasons worth of content have introduced new characters, maps, and a lot more, which have helped keep hundreds of thousands of players engaged in Apex Legends. While the game's most popular mode usually has a team of three players dropping onto the game's soon-to-be shrinking map, Season 21 looks to shake things up with a new portal-using character named Alter and the return of Solos.

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Alter's Abilities Will Change Apex Forever

Alter Becomes 26th Playable Character in Apex Legends

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New playable characters have helped introduce many electrifying changes and fascinating mechanics to Apex Legends, and Season 21's inclusion of the dimension-hopping Alter will continue that trend. The mysterious new legend has traveled across reality and excelled in almost all her pursuits. However, she has a strong bond with another Apex legend that players will need to uncover for themselves, which may be tough to do because her abilities are so game-changing that it may be challenging to focus on anything else.

Being the embodiment of disruption, Alter is well-equipped to throw enemy players off because each of her abilities is radically different from every legend in the game so far. "Gift from the Rift" is her passive ability that can loot foe's deathboxes from a distance to claim valuable weapons or life-saving shields. It's a skill that makes obtaining vital resources much easier, especially if enemies are camping on deathboxes. Still, Alter's utilization of Void space provides even more helpful skills than that.

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Enemies who fortify locations must stay on their toes because Alter's tactical Void Passage allows her to create sneaky portals that can be used for allies and foes alike. The portals allow anyone who can approach them to pass through nearly any wall or surface to appear on the other side. It's an excellent tool for surprise assaults or a means of escape from sticky situations. However, her Ultimate ability, "Void Nexus," takes things up a notch by placing a device anywhere on the map that she or her teammates can use to teleport back to when needed.

It's Now Easier For Legends To Stand Alone

Solos Mode Will Replace Duos for Six Weeks

The beginning of Apex Legends season 21 will replace Duos with Solos for a limited time. The mode was a fan-favorite when it was introduced in Season 2 but was removed because Respawn preferred to make the game a squad-based experience. However, after many requests, Solos mode is making a triumphant return in Apex Legends season 21, but with some key changes that'll make it a much more enjoyable mode than it previously was.

The new Battle Pass features Epic skins for Alter, Wraith, and Revenant and other Legendary gear for characters like Seer and Catalysts.

Without the help of two other squadmates, it can be easy to get snuck up on in Apex Legends, which is why the return of Solos will be introducing Battle Sense. The new feature will help detect enemies close by. Another feature that should help support players in the single-player mode is an auto heal and a Second Chance mechanic to help legends heal and revive themselves once during a match. If the mode is a huge hit, it could become a more permanent fixture in Apex Legends.

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Shattering The Map and Reality With A New Battle Pass

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An all-new Quarantine zone replaces Promenade when the moon Olympus smashes into Cleo's stasis node. The Broken Moon map changes are built for more up-close battles and a healthy increase in pandemonium. Revamped ziprails are another significant improvement in the new streamlined map that should help provide more consistent action than ever before, changes that should help players level up in the new Upheaval Battle Pass faster than they expect.

The new Battle Pass features Epic skins for Alter, Wraith, and Revenant and other Legendary gear for characters like Seer and Catalysts. Besides trippy new gear, Season 21 of Apex Legends looks to make several helpful adjustments to gameplay with nerfs and buffs for several cast members that should help make the game more fair and engaging. Some changes include tweaks to the legend's upgrade trees and weapons like the Longbow that should feel more snappy and precise than before.

A Learning Curve That's Only Becoming More Steep

Season 21 of Apex Legends Begins May 6, 2024

With all the new adjustments, solo mode, and the addition of Alter's game-changing abilities, Apex Legends Season 21 should be an update that will keep the game fresh for the many players who continue to support the F2P battle royal. However, more needs to be done to welcome new players or those who have been away from the game for a while. New changes further increase the learning curve of the already complex game. While developers didn't have much advice for players wanting to jump back into the game, the new changes should keep current Apex Legends fans happy.

Screen Rant was invited by Respawn Entertainment for an exclusive look at Apex Legends Season 21 for the purposes of this preview.