Apex Legends Season 24: A Mixed Bag of Exciting and Frustrating Changes

Apex Legends Season 24 is officially live, and it’s kicked off with a bang. Respawn has introduced some exciting new additions, but there are also a few head-scratching moves that have fans scratching their heads. Let’s break down the launch, the good, the bad, and the controversy surrounding the Anniversary Event and some of the new content.

New Anniversary Event Brings Free Rewards and Fresh Skins

Season 24’s Anniversary Event brings with it a blend of new and recycled content. First up, Players can unlock brand new Anniversary Badges just by playing the game. It’s always nice to get some free stuff, and this time around, players will also be able to earn a free Loba skin by collecting 2,000 points. It’s a simple and effective way to add some personal flair to your Legend without having to spend anything extra.

In addition to the free Loba skin, there are other exciting anniversary-themed skins and cosmetic rewards. Some notable additions are:

• Fitness for Alter Fitbot for Pathfinder
• Dimensional Dasher for Wraith
• Arrow Acrobatics for Valkyrie
• Astronaut Athleisure for Horizon

These new skins are part of a paid pack system, priced at $18 per pack. While some players are excited about the fresh looks, the overall event has left many feeling frustrated by what seems like recycled content.

The Problem With Recycled Skins

While the Anniversary Event brings some fresh skins, it also includes a large number of recycled skins from past events. Players are calling out EA and Respawn for padding the event’s item count by bringing back skins that have already been available in previous events. This approach increases the total number of skins in the event to 36, but many of these are old and no longer feel special.

In order to unlock everything in this milestone event, players are looking at a $360 price tag, which has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. While some of the skins are cool, the fact that a significant portion of the items are recycled feels like a cash grab. It’s especially frustrating for those who have been playing for a while, as many of the skins they are paying for are far from new.

The Mythic R301 Skin and Grenades: Buyer Beware

One of the most hyped additions to Season 24 is the Mythic R301 skin. Thisskin features unique variations and includes special kill animations, making it a highly desirable item for collectors. However, the excitement has been dampened by the fact that some players feel it resembles a gun from Call of Duty, where these types of skins are often included as part of base game content.

Moreover, there’s also the Mythic Grenade Skin, which raises some eyebrows. It’s unclear why a grenade needs a Mythic tier skin, and many players feel it could have just been a rare skin and offered as a free reward, not locked behind a paywall.

Learn more about the new season in Apex Legends from Thordan Smash on YouTube.

The Controversial Legend Spotlight and Paywall Issues

Season 24 also introduces the Legend Spotlight, which rewards players with 80-100 Apex Packs for completing specific challenges with various Legends. However, there’s a catch—this feature is locked behind a paywall. Players must fork out 1,000 Apex Coins (around $10 USD) to access the challenges and unlock the rewards.

This has raised concerns, especially among the community who expected this feature to be free. The idea of encouraging players to try out different Legends is great, but locking it behind a paywall feels like a step in the wrong direction. It’s hard to see this as anything but another cash grab, and many feel it could have been a test feature that should’ve been made available for free, at least initially.

New Packs and Accessibility

In addition to the Anniversary Event, Respawn has introduced new Apex Pack bundles that are now available year-round, rather than being limited to specific sales events like Black Friday. While this does make them more accessible to players, it’s just another reminder of how microtransactions are becoming a more integral part of Apex Legends’ overall economy.

Leaks and Upcoming Content: Mythic Watson Skin and Heirlooms

There’s more to look forward to this season beyond the Anniversary Event. According to recent Leaks, a Mythic Watson skin is in the works and will likely release later this season. Additionally, we’re also expecting Legend heirlooms to make their return, with Newcastle’s heirloom looking particularly interesting. This new heirloom will have multiple recolors available right out of the gate, similar to how it works in Apex Legends Mobile.

Anti-Cheat Issues and Meta Shifts

As with every new season, there are a few technical hiccups. On PC, some players have experienced anti-cheat issues, causing a backlog of players who were unable to log in. While some workarounds exist, this issue still needs to be addressed quickly to avoid major frustration.

In terms of the game’s meta, players have been split. The new weapon buffs have caused mixed feelings. Some players have expressed concerns about the time-to-kill (TTK) changes, as these buffs seem to favor sweats at the expense of casual players. The general consensus so far is that the new meta is more unforgiving and that casual players are finding it harder to keep up. However, it’s still early days, and the meta might evolve as more players get a feel for the changes.

The Future of Apex Legends: What’s Next?

Fans of Apex Legends have a lot to look forward to, but the introduction of some questionable pay-to-play mechanics and the recycling of older skins has put a damper on the overall excitement. With the upcoming Mythic Watson skin, Legend heirlooms, and balance tweaks, Season 24 still has a lot of potential. It will be interesting to see if Respawn can course-correct and return to the more player-friendly approach that initially made Apex Legends such a hit.

For now, players are left to navigate the Anniversary Event, weigh the pros and cons of the changes, and hope that Respawn listens to community feedback as the season progresses.

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