Apex Legends Season 13 review: Newcastle saves lackluster update
Apex Legends’ brand-new character Newcastle has well and truly arrived in Season 13, dominating the limelight among various changes and new content.
Apex Legends Season 13: Saviors has officially arrived, and now that players have had some time to enjoy the new content, it’s clear what stands out in the community.
With major Ranked changes, Storm Point update, and various Legend and weapon buffs and nerfs, Season 13 has no doubt made an impact on the ever-growing battle royale game. However, the brand new Legend Newcastle has definitely stolen the show.
Apex Legends Season 13 review
A welcomed Ranked overhaul
Apex Legends Season 13 brought some much-needed changes to the Ranked system. Players had been calling for changes for some time, and finally, the devs delivered in Season 13: Saviors.
This huge Ranked overhaul was dubbed “Ranked Reloaded,” and brought changes to most aspects of the competitive game mode. The most significant of these changes are around the way in which players receive Ranked Points (RP) and Kill Points (KP).
These changes give the mode a much more team-orientated vibe, which is exactly how it should feel. The devs introduced demotions as well, which the community had been calling for.
This will no doubt make the lobbies more competitive and also make the system more accurate at placing players in the Rank that reflects their skill level. This will also encourage players who are “hard stuck” to continue pushing and developing their skills to reach the Rank they are aiming to stay in.
These changes have been greatly welcomed so far, but of course, as they overhauled the system there are some issues and small tweaks that will be needed. If you’d like a more in-depth look at the changes, check out our guide on Ranked Reloaded.
Lackluster content & changes
Storm Point
Apart from these impactful Ranked changes, the update did bring a slightly underwhelming map update to Storm Point, as well as a lack of meaningful changes to Legends and weapons.
- Read more: Best FOV Setting for Apex Legends Season 13
Storm Point was given a brand new POI, the Downed Beast. Despite this POI being great fun and having a well-thought-out design, one new POI for such a massive map definitely feels underwhelming.
Of course, Storm Point also got the new IMC Armories on the map, and these are great for getting high-tier loot. However, again, there isn’t much map change, just a new POI and some of these new IMC Armories that have popped up around the map, which is quite disappointing.
Legends & weapons
Season 13 also failed to bring a new weapon to the game, which many had been hoping for. Apart from the massive Kraber and Helmet changes, not much has changed with both the weapons and Legends in the game.
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Light weapons are now much weaker than Heavy due to the R-301 going into the Replicator and both the Flatline and Spitfire being placed back in floor loot. The only Legends to receive big changes were Rampart and Valkyrie, leaving the community disappointed to see no changes for Lifeline.
In general, Season 13 has failed to bring significant changes to the Legends and weapons in Apex Legends, which makes the gameplay feel slightly stale.
Newcastle is the Savior
Despite all of this, the brand-new Legend Newcastle is the saving grace for Season 13. Newcastle is a refreshing Legend that stands out as a dominant force, which sets his release aside from the previous Legend introductions that have been deemed unimpressive by the community.
The Mobile Guardian has a very strong kit with abilities that feel impactful and worthwhile. Newcastle can change the tide of a fight with his Ultimate, make a push easier with his Tactical, or even play a supportive role with his Passive shield revive.
His introduction has definitely shaken up the meta in Season 13, competition with the likes of Gibraltar and Lifeline who have both been dominant picks for many seasons. Newcastle is a blast to play, and although he may need a few tweaks as his abilities are definitely strong, he doesn’t feel overpowered.
This new Legend stands out as the most entertaining and impactful introduction within the Apex Legends Season 13 update, saving the season from an otherwise disappointing launch.
Verdict: 6/10
Remember, we will be getting some new content throughout the season which could brighten up the update and bring some great new content. With that in mind, check out the leaked Awakened Collection Event.
Image Credits: Respawn Entertainment