Apex Legends

The overall sentiment among critics regarding the story of Apex Legends is largely positive, with many praising its integration into the established Titanfall universe and its unique approach to narrative within the battle royale format. Cultured Vultures highlights the game’s "unique take on the battle royale genre" and notes the "diverse cast of characters" and "wider lore connections," suggesting that the story is thoughtfully embedded within the larger world. Similarly, Multiplayer.it emphasizes the game's setting after the Frontier War, where survivors compete in the Apex Games for "glory and resources," giving players a sense of context and purpose. XGN points out that the game is set 30 years after Titanfall, with a cast of "unique abilities" that adds to the world-building. GameSpot also appreciates the story's delivery method, noting that it is "delivered weekly via map changes and comics," which keeps the lore evolving and engaging over time. However, some critics express concerns about the depth and structure of the story. Jeuxvideo.com and Everyeye.it both note that the narrative is somewhat limited, with the former mentioning that "a scenario will be integrated starting from Season 1" but not providing specifics, and the latter stating that the game has a "basic narrative framework" with characters having their own lore but lacking "extensive storytelling elements like cinematic shorts." This suggests that while the story is present and contributes to the game's identity, it may not be as immersive or detailed as some players or critics might expect. Additionally, the absence of the signature Titans from the Titanfall series, as pointed out by multiple IGN reviews, is seen as a trade-off that some may find disappointing, though others view it as a necessary shift to fit the battle royale format. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among the critics is that Apex Legends successfully weaves its story into the battle royale experience, offering a compelling and evolving narrative that complements the gameplay. While not all reviews emphasize deep storytelling, they generally agree that the game’s lore is well-integrated and that the characters add personality and depth to the world. The varied perspectives from critics like Cultured Vultures, Multiplayer.it, and GameSpot highlight a shared appreciation for the game’s narrative approach, even if it is not as traditional or cinematic as some might prefer. The story, while not the primary focus, is seen as a valuable component that enhances the game’s appeal and long-term engagement.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Apex Legends as highly engaging and innovative, emphasizing its fast-paced, team-oriented mechanics and unique character-driven elements. Reviewers like Game Informer and PC Gamer highlighted the "satisfying" movement, gunplay, and character abilities, noting how the game blends battle royale and hero shooter dynamics seamlessly. XGN and PlayStation LifeStyle commended the "fast-paced gameplay," "diverse character abilities," and "strategic elements," while IGN and GameSpot (on PS4 and Xbox One) lauded the "tight, responsive controls," "intuitive commands," and the "ping system" that enhances communication. The inclusion of respawn mechanics, such as the "revival system" and "smart dropship," was frequently cited as a standout feature, adding depth and reducing frustration compared to traditional battle royales. 3DJuegos and New Game Network also noted the "refined and intuitive gameplay," with Digital Trends praising its focus on teamwork and strategic decision-making. These critiques collectively underscore the game’s strengths in fostering cooperation, offering diverse playstyles, and maintaining a dynamic, skill-based experience. However, several critics pointed out technical and platform-specific issues that detracted from the gameplay experience, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. GameMAG and CGMagazine criticized the "sluggish" feel, "frame rate drops to 20fps during gunfights," and "potent aim assist" that skewed competition, while GameByte mentioned "underwhelming performance" with lagging objects and inconsistent item visibility. Nintendo Life and Nintendo Enthusiast acknowledged the "frenetic, fun, and fast-paced" core but noted "framerate issues," "controls," and "technical performance" as flaws. Multiplayer.it (on PC) and Jeuxvideo.com (on PS4) also mentioned the "learning curve" and "importance of teamwork," which could be challenging for newcomers, though these were framed as inherent to the genre rather than direct gameplay shortcomings. The Switch 2 version, as noted by DBLTAP, saw improvements with "mostly 60fps gameplay," suggesting that hardware limitations on older Switch models were a significant concern. Despite these technical criticisms, the overall consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the majority agreeing that Apex Legends delivers a compelling gameplay experience. While Nintendo Switch users faced performance hurdles, platforms like PC, PS4, and Xbox One received universal acclaim for their polished mechanics, strategic depth, and accessibility. GameGrin and Everyeye.it highlighted the "innovative mechanics" and "skill-based gameplay," while Guardian and SpazioGames praised the "intense, fast-paced" battles and "balanced mechanics system." The game’s emphasis on teamwork, character diversity, and communication tools like the ping system was consistently celebrated, with Multiplayer.it and We Got This Covered calling it "unique" and "memorable." Even critics who noted flaws, such as GameByte and GameMAG, acknowledged the game’s "consistent pace during battles" and "fun, enjoyable" core. This suggests that while technical limitations on certain platforms exist, the gameplay itself is widely regarded as a strong, standout feature of Apex Legends.

The majority of reviewers praise the graphics and visual design of Apex Legends across most platforms, highlighting its polished and immersive presentation. Critics like IGN and GamesRadar+ commend the "lavishly designed map" of Kings Canyon, noting its "diverse environments and rich details" that enhance both exploration and combat. Digital Chumps and Jeuxvideo.com describe the level design as "gorgeous" and "visually appealing," with expansive landscapes and mechanical complexes that create a dynamic backdrop for gameplay. The game’s art style, blending "cartoonish and futuristic military aesthetics" (as noted by PC Gamer), is seen as unique within the battle royale genre, drawing from the Titanfall universe to offer a "polished" and "technically impressive" experience. Guardian also emphasizes the "crisp colors and details," positioning it as a middle ground between the realism of PUBG and the stylized look of Fortnite, while Cultured Vultures appreciates the "fluid movement mechanics" and "detailed environments" that contribute to a cohesive visual identity. These reviews collectively underscore the game’s strong visual foundation and attention to environmental variety. However, the Nintendo Switch port faces significant criticism for its compromised graphical fidelity. Cubed3 and GameMAG point to "significant compromises in graphics quality and performance," with low resolutions, blurry textures, and reduced visual detail affecting gameplay. GameSpot and Nintendo Life describe the Switch version as "muddied" and "blurry," noting that frame rate issues and inconsistent performance make it harder to aim and engage in combat. Game Rant and Screen Rant criticize the "muddy colors" and "amorphous characters," while Nintendo WorldReport highlights "frame drops" and "lower draw distance" as major drawbacks. Even the Switch 2 version, praised by Nintendo Life for "crisp and clear" visuals, is acknowledged as an improvement but still falls short of the console and PC releases. These critiques reveal that the Switch port struggles to match the technical standards of other platforms, with visual downgrades impacting both aesthetics and competitive play. Overall, the consensus leans positive for Apex Legends on PC and consoles, with critics emphasizing its strong visual design, diverse environments, and unique art style. While PC Gamer and Digital Trends note minor imperfections—such as "lack of graphical polish in certain areas" or "challenges in standing out visually"—these are overshadowed by the game’s broader strengths. The Switch port, however, remains a contentious point, with many reviewers agreeing that its graphical shortcomings detract from the experience. Despite this, Jeuxvideo.com and IGN Italia still describe the Switch version as "visually appealing" in a limited sense, and GameByte acknowledges its "lovely environments" despite performance issues. The game’s visual design is widely regarded as a key asset, with its blend of detail, color, and character customization fostering a memorable and engaging experience, though platform-specific limitations create a divide in critical reception.

The overall sentiment among critics regarding the sound design and music of Apex Legends is largely positive, with many highlighting the immersive and impactful audio elements. Cultured Vultures praised the intense gunplay sounds and the effective pinging system, which aids in communication. GamesRadar+ and IGN both noted that the sound design enhances the atmosphere and contributes to the game's immersive experience, with specific emphasis on the loudspeaker system and satisfying audio cues for gunfire and character abilities. Impulsegamer and Generación Xbox also commended the sound design for its adrenaline-inducing effects and dynamic music, which help to elevate the competitive and fast-paced nature of the game. Digital Trends pointed out unique and detailed sound effects, such as the "squelching" when sliding down muddy hills, further reinforcing the game's attention to audio detail. These reviews collectively suggest that the sound design in Apex Legends is a strong component that supports the gameplay and enhances player engagement. However, some critics mentioned specific issues or limitations. GameByte noted that while the sound design has some problems, they are being addressed, and that poor audio quality could affect gameplay and lead to losses. Destructoid and Nintendo Insider provided less detailed feedback, with the latter only briefly mentioning the HD Rumble as a positive but not delving into sound design or music. PCGamesN and Multiplayer.it acknowledged the functional and effective nature of the sound design, but without the same level of enthusiasm as the more positive reviews. While these critiques are not as severe, they indicate that while the audio is mostly well-received, there are still areas where it could be improved, particularly on certain platforms or in specific scenarios. Despite the minor criticisms, the overall consensus among the reviewers is that the sound design and music in Apex Legends are strong and contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and immersion. Multiple outlets, including GamesRadar+, IGN, and Impulsegamer, emphasized the effectiveness of the audio cues and the dynamic musical elements. While some issues were noted, they were generally seen as minor or in the process of being resolved. The positive feedback from a majority of critics suggests that the audio elements in Apex Legends are well-implemented and enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature in the game's design.

The voice acting in Apex Legends is widely praised by multiple critics for its energetic and character-driven delivery. IGN, across different platforms including PS4, Xbox One, and PC, consistently highlights that the voice acting is "upbeat and adds personality to the characters," which significantly enhances player engagement during gameplay. Similarly, Multiplayer.it commends the "well-executed" voice acting, noting that the characters have "recognizable and fitting voices" that contribute to their distinct personalities. Pocket Tactics also appreciates the voice acting, specifically pointing out the positive reception of Horizon's Scottish quips, which adds a unique flavor to the game's dialogue. These reviews collectively emphasize that the voice work helps to make each Legend feel more dynamic and memorable, enriching the overall experience. However, not all feedback on the voice acting is entirely positive. NintendoWorldReport points out a technical issue, noting that "the in-game voice chat does not work properly on the Switch version." This suggests that while the voice acting itself is well-received, the implementation of voice chat on certain platforms may detract from the experience. This negative point is specific to the Switch version and highlights a potential drawback for players on that platform, though it does not reflect on the quality of the voice acting itself. The issue with voice chat, rather than the acting, indicates a hardware or software limitation rather than a flaw in the voice talent or script. Despite the technical issue mentioned by NintendoWorldReport, the overall consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Apex Legends is a strong and positive aspect of the game. IGN and Multiplayer.it consistently highlight the energetic and fitting nature of the dialogue, while Pocket Tactics adds a specific example of how certain characters' voices enhance their appeal. The mixed feedback primarily stems from platform-specific technical problems rather than the quality of the voice acting. As a result, the majority of reviews lean toward a favorable assessment of the voice work, which plays a key role in making the game's characters more engaging and immersive.

The technical performance of Apex Legends is generally praised across most platforms, with several critics highlighting its stability and polish. On the PlayStation 4, GameSpot and IGN commend the game’s streamlined inventory management, responsive ping system, and smooth gameplay, while IGN Italia notes consistent 60fps performance on the PS4 Pro. Multiplayer.it emphasizes quick load times and stable frame rates, and PlayStation LifeStyle confirms the game handles 60 players without issues. For PC, Jeuxvideo.com and Games.cz praise stable servers and strong optimization, with PC Gamer acknowledging that while some hardware may struggle, the game remains overall stable. The Nintendo Switch 2 version sees a marked improvement, with Nintendo Life reporting smooth 60fps performance and minimal hiccups, a significant upgrade from the original Switch’s limitations. These positives suggest the game is well-optimized for its core platforms, with few major technical hurdles for most users. However, the PlayStation 4 version has its share of issues, including crashes and lockups on the PS4 Pro (as noted by Gamers Heroes) and server lag or infinite load loops. PlayStation Country and Wccftech also point to choppy servers and rocky performance due to the game’s popularity. The original Nintendo Switch faces more severe challenges, with Cubed3 and GameByte criticizing low frame rates, lag, and graphical shortcomings, while GameMAG and Nintendo Enthusiast highlight connectivity issues, broken store systems, and matchmaking flaws. Metro GameCentral and Nintendo Insider stress that frame rate inconsistencies and lower draw distances make the Switch version a competitive disadvantage, and Pocket Tactics mentions a black screen bug. On PC, Destructoid and New Game Network note occasional lag spikes and crashes, while PLAY! Zine points to temporary bugs. These negatives reveal platform-specific struggles, particularly on the Switch and during high-traffic periods on all systems. Overall, the critics concur that Apex Legends delivers strong technical performance on the PlayStation 4 and PC, with stability, optimization, and responsiveness being key strengths. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is seen as a major improvement, addressing many of the original’s performance issues, but the original Switch remains a point of contention. While all platforms experience minor hiccups—such as server lag on PS4, frame drops on Switch, and occasional crashes on PC—the game is widely regarded as polished and functional, with most issues being mitigated through updates or hardware upgrades. The consensus underscores that the game’s technical foundation is solid, but the Switch’s limitations and high-traffic server challenges are notable drawbacks, reflecting the importance of platform-specific optimization in maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience.

The overall sentiment regarding the replay value of Apex Legends is largely positive, with many critics highlighting its dynamic and evolving content. Reviewers like GameSpot and PC Gamer emphasize the game’s strategic depth, diverse character abilities, and regular updates that keep matches fresh and engaging. IGN and Digital Trends praise the variety of Legends, their unique skills, and the ability to experiment with different strategies, which fosters long-term interest. The free-to-play model and battle pass systems (noted by Trusted Reviews and Jeuxvideo.com) also contribute to sustained playability, as players are incentivized to return for new cosmetics, characters, and seasonal events. Additionally, Screen Rant and GameGrin point to the game’s modular design and fast-paced mechanics, which encourage repeated engagement, while Wccftech and Game Informer note that the game’s initial roster and future updates provide enough variety to maintain player interest over time. However, several critics raise concerns about limitations that may hinder replay value, particularly on certain platforms. GameMAG and Nintendo Enthusiast criticize the Nintendo Switch port for its technical issues and eye strain, which could deter frequent play. Multiplayer.it and XGN highlight the limited game modes and grind for unlocking characters as potential drawbacks, while Twinfinite and Cultured Vultures mention lootbox systems and currency mechanics that might frustrate some players. SpazioGames and Cubed3 note the lack of solo play options and cross-progression issues on Switch, which could reduce the appeal for veterans. Additionally, Pocket Tactics and Metro GameCentral suggest that the Switch version’s restrictions (e.g., limited ranked play) might discourage core players from returning regularly, despite its potential for beginners. Despite platform-specific criticisms, the overall consensus among critics is that Apex Legends has strong replay value due to its continuous content updates, character diversity, and engaging gameplay. While GameByte and DBLTAP acknowledge that the Switch port may not satisfy all players, they still recognize its appeal for newcomers. On PC and other consoles, IGN, GameSpot, and PC Gamer consistently praise the game’s adaptability and long-term support, with Future updates and seasonal events seen as key drivers. The free-to-play nature and progression systems (as noted by GameGrin and Jeuxvideo.com) further reinforce this, ensuring accessibility and incentive for returning. Though some critics like Multiplayer.it and Cultured Vultures point to minor flaws, the majority agree that the game’s strengths—such as its team dynamics, strategic depth, and regular content drops—make it a compelling and replayable experience across platforms.