As well as introducing Newcastle – a heroic defense Legend who we can talk about later in the week – Apex Legends: Season 13 comes with some map tweaks to Storm Point. The newest Apex Legends map is getting a fresh point of interest, increasing the number of named locations from 17 to 18.
The new point of interest has players battling in and around the carcass of a dead sea giant. Those who take control of the top, standing on its carapace, will have a full view of the field, while those who dare to enter through its mouth will be treated to some high-tier loot.
Respawn wanted to get across the fantasy of battling inside the belly of the beast – this slimy, alien leviathan. While the inside is like a meaty loot pinata, most of the weapons will sit on the outside. This means those who beeline straight for the attachments, armor, and gold backpacks might be in for a surprise when they try to exit. Those who land outside can take control and ambush greedy players, punishing them for their hubris. Not me, though – I’m built different (I won’t land there for at least a week because I’m a coward).
On top of this, the new season introduces IMC Armories, which have sprung up all over the island. These are small buildings that you can enter for some PvE action. Trigger the event inside and the door shuts, locking you in and booting up the robotic sentinels inside. You have 60 seconds to take out as many as you can, and your rewards will match your effort.
There are a couple of things about the armories that make them interesting. First off, the loot you get for a successful mission comes in smart containers, which look at your equipment and offer you the attachments you need most, a bit like a Lifeline package.
Secondly, there’s that locking-in mechanic. Respawn says this is to prevent third-partying, which is a problem when you try to complete the Bloodhound Trials on World’s Edge. Here they can only look through the windows at you, and they’ll have to sit outside for a full minute if they want to spring a trap as you leave.
You also have the option of leaving through a skydive launcher, which shoots you through the roof and allows you to land somewhere away from the armory. If that sounds too cowardly for you, there’s always the door. Or perhaps you want to fill it with traps and invite them in for a cup of coffee. The decision is yours.
Respawn says that these armories might spring up on other maps if they prove popular with the players, so make sure you voice your opinion if you feel strongly about them one way or the other.
Season 13 of Apex Legends – dubbed ‘Saviors’ – lands on May 10. You can read our in-depth look at Newcastle this Thursday.
Written by Kirk McKeand on behalf of GLHF.
