Apex Legends Follows in Fortnite OG’s Footsteps with Launch Royale

Apex Legends Season 23 is giving players a nostalgic trip back to its roots with the return of the original King’s Canyon map and the game’s first set of weapons. This limited-time mode, aptly named Launch Royale, offers an opportunity for both new players and long-time fans to experience Apex as it was during its early days. For those who didn’t get to enjoy the first version of the game when it launched, this mode is a rare chance to witness Apex Legends as it was, flaws, balance issues, and all. Over the years, Apex Legends has undergone significant changes. When it first launched, the game was a bit rough around the edges, with certain Legends clearly stronger than others. Weapons like the OG Wingman were outright overpowered, and the map had its share of flaws, such as a few highly favored points of interest (POIs) that many players would flock to. In the years since, Apex has gone through numerous improvements and rebalancing, becoming a much more polished and refined experience. However, some players feel that revisiting the original, unrefined version of the game might offer a unique and exciting experience.

A Walk Down Memory Lane: What’s Coming Back?

Season 23 of Apex Legends is bringing a ton of familiar elements from the game’s initial release, allowing both veteran players and newcomers to experience the unbalanced, fast-paced gameplay that made Apex Legends a viral hit. Let’s dive into the changes that will take us back to the original experience:

General Changes

1. Original King’s Canyon Map and POIsThe classic King’s Canyon map is making a return, complete with its original points of interest (POIs). These areas, now often associated with nostalgia, are far from the refined versions we see in today’s game.

2. Original Loot Distribution and Loot ItemsLoot will be distributed like it was back in Season 1, which means players will drop without any starting equipment or healing items. You’ll need to scavenge to survive, much like the early days of Apex.

3. Armor and Shield MechanicsThe Armor Core and Evo systems have been removed. Instead, each piece of armor is a static item, and the original shield swapping mechanics are back. No automatic shield regeneration from finishers, which is now exclusive to Gold Armor.

4. Original Ring Timings and DamageThe ring, which closes in over time, will also be reverting to the original timing and damage values that players experienced back in the first season.

Legend Changes

1. No Class-Based PerksGone are the Class-based perks. Legends will revert to the balance seen in the original game, with no additional perks such as the fortified ones introduced in later seasons.

2. Reversion of Legend Abilities and StatsMost Legends’ stats and abilities will be reverted to their first-season balance. This includes old mechanics like “bunny hopping” while healing, and “punch boosting,” where players could punch the ground behind them to gain a small speed boost.

3. Ziplines and Shield RegenerationPlayers can jump infinitely on ziplines, but only up to three interactions before a cooldown period. Also, finishers no longer regenerate shields by default, with that benefit now being exclusive to Gold Armor.

Weapon and Equipment Changes

1. Restoring Original Weapon TuningsAll weapons will feature the original attachments and tunings, with Launch Royale variants designed to recreate the feeling of how the weapons handled during the first season.

2. No Newer Attachments or Ammo TypesFeatures like Laser Sights, Sniper Magazines, and Energy Magazines were not in the original game, and they will not be present here. Ammo stacks in your inventory will also return to the original capacities.

3. Original Hop-Ups and Weapon ModsClassic hop-ups like the Select Fire, Energy Choke, Turbocharger, and Skullpiercer will return. Gold Kitted weapons, including the Kraber and Mastiff, will also make an appearance in care packages.

4. Weapon Stats and Headshot DamageAll weapons will revert to their original headshot damage multipliers, which now sit at a solid 2.0x for most weapons, with a few exceptions.

Apex Legends: A Game That Has Evolved

Since its release, Apex Legends has seen multiple updates and improvements, some of which have dramatically shifted the gameplay. These changes have not only made the game more balanced but also contributed to its rise as one of the most successful battle royale games. The game’s evolution includes:

• Legend Buffs and Nerfs: Many Legends have gone through several tweaks, from buffs to complete reworks. This has led to some Legends becoming far stronger than their original versions, while others have become shadows of their former selves.

• Weapon Tuning: Similar to the Legends, many weapons have undergone balancing, with some being nerfed and others buffed to ensure a more varied, tactical experience.

• The Metagame: As seasons progressed, a metagame developed that was influenced by the ever-changing strengths and weaknesses of Legends and weapons. Launch Royale will give players a glimpse of what that metagame was like at its inception.

Will the OG Experience Hold Up in 2024?

The idea of revisiting an older version of a popular game isn’t new. Fortnite's "OG" mode, which brought back the original map and mechanics, was a massive success, proving that players love the nostalgia factor. Apex Legends’ own attempt with Launch Royale could be equally successful, especially as the game faces a decline in its player base. It will be interesting to see if the original balance — with its flaws, broken weapons, and unrefined mechanics — still holds up or if players will see why some changes were made in the first place. This limited-time mode may also give Respawn the data they need to understand how nostalgic players are for the game’s original state. If Launch Royale brings back players who’ve since left Apex, it may lead to more modes like it in the future. Whether this mode will succeed or simply show how far Apex Legends has come remains to be seen, but it's undoubtedly an exciting look back at where the game started.

Apex Legends Returns to Its Roots with Launch Royale

Apex Legends' "Launch Royale" mode in Season 23 offers a nostalgic return to the game's original form, showcasing how far it has evolved. For newer players, it's a unique opportunity to experience the game as it was at launch, complete with the early map, weapon balance, and mechanics. For long-time fans, it's a chance to revisit the game's origins and reflect on its growth over the years. This limited-time mode may spark renewed interest, offering a glimpse into what made Apex Legends an instant classic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the "Launch Royale" mode in Apex Legends?

The "Launch Royale" mode in Apex Legends is a limited-time event introduced in Season 23, which reverts the game to its original version. This includes the original King’s Canyon map, weapons, and mechanics, allowing both new players and veterans to experience the game as it was when it first launched. It removes newer mechanics, introduces the classic armor system, and features the original weapon balance. It's a nostalgic mode for long-time fans and an excellent opportunity for newer players to see what the game was like in its early days.

Q2. Can I play as the Legends from the original game?

Yes, in "Launch Royale," most Legends' abilities and stats are reverted to the original version from Apex Legends’ first season. This means Legends like Wraith, Bloodhound, and Pathfinder will play with the same abilities and strengths they had at launch. However, some minor changes have been made to the balancing of certain Legends. This offers players a chance to experience the game as it was back in 2019 when Legends were less refined and more experimental in their design.

Q3. What is different about the weapons in Launch Royale mode?

The weapons in the "Launch Royale" mode are restored to their original tunings, which include the classic recoil patterns, damage values, and attachments from Season 1. All original Gold kitted weapons are also brought back, including the Gold Knockdown Shield for self-revive and the Gold Backpack for fast healing. Hipfire mechanics have been reverted to their tighter spread, and legendary weapons like the Kraber and Mastiff are back in care packages. This mode offers a nostalgic weapon handling experience that long-time players will recognize, while newer players will get a taste of the game’s original weapon dynamics.

Q4. How has King’s Canyon changed in Launch Royale mode?

King’s Canyon in "Launch Royale" is the original map from Apex Legends' first season, with all the familiar points of interest (POIs) intact, such as Skull Town and Thunderdome. The map has undergone very few changes, offering players a chance to experience the game’s initial version of the battlefield. Loot distribution and POI balance have also been reverted to match the game's original state. It’s a throwback to the early days of Apex, where some POIs were vastly more popular than others, and the overall map design was simpler yet effective.

Q5. How long will the Launch Royale mode last?

The "Launch Royale" mode in Apex Legends will be available for a limited time during Season 23. Respawn has not specified the exact duration, but similar events typically last for a few weeks to a month. This limited-time nature encourages players to jump in quickly to experience the nostalgic gameplay before it’s gone. Keep an eye on official announcements for updates on the mode's timeline, and make sure to play while it’s active to relive the original Apex Legends experience.