Summary
Despite facing controversy over Season 22’s proposed battle pass alterations,Apex Legendsremains a leading force in the battle royale genre. WithRespawn Entertainment responding to fans' concernsand reversing some of the changes, Season 22, aptly called Shockwave, is set to deliver new adrenaline-pumping action. This includes a brand-new map, E-District, the first new addition since Broken Moon debuted in Season 15.
Significantly, the latest addition toApex Legendsbrings the game’s total map count to six. Alongside this massive landscape, players can look forward to other major updates, including the new Akimbo weapon meta, game modes like Bot Royale, and Revival mode for trios. With these updates, E-District is poised to become a fan favorite, especially for Alter mains who enjoy utilizing her void abilities.
Apex Legends' E-District Is A Neon Dreamscape
E-District Draws Inspiration from Cyberpunk and Japanese Themes
Respawn describes E-District as an electrifying “close-quarters map built for verticality and instant, continuous action.” First teased in the Kill Code part 4 cinematic, it’s become apparent that movement, particularly wall-tech, will be crucial heading into this new locale. Interestingly, whileEclipse’s Broken Moon was notable for its large POIs, E-District is credited as the most densely packed map to date.
Eduardo Agostini,Apex Legends' World Director, describes E-District as a “cyberpunk playground.” This neon-drenched, Japanese-inspired cityscape is the culmination of over five years of development. Within it, Respawn has meticulously crafted a vertical battleground filled with towering skyscrapers, long alleyways, and vibrant market stalls. Notably, E-District offers more playable area than any previous map due to its multi-layered design, although it does featurewalled-off barriers reminiscent of Olympus.
“This neon-drenched, Japanese-inspired cityscape is the culmination of over five years of development.”
As this multicultural city forges its identity, its multiple POIs and distinctive features are sure to captivate players:
POIs like Street Market, with its radial layout designed for close-quarter combat, promise to make it a high-intensity drop location. In contrast, Neon Square, a vibrant homage to Tokyo’s Shibuya Center-Gai, offers a different kind of challenge with its landmark tower perfect for high-ground advantage. For those seeking verticality, The Lotus' high-end luxury apartments provide ample height, whereas The Stadium, arepurposed Prowler racetrack, offers a labyrinth of tight spaces within its makeshift residential complex. While movement abilities will remain crucial, precise aim should be highly rewarded in these narrow environments. Regardless, it’s already clear that Legends like Alter will have plenty of opportunities to bend the world to their will.
E-District Is Brimming With Easter Eggs
For lore enthusiasts, E-District offers more than just combat. As such, exploring murals, posters, and arcades should be a worthwhile endeavor. Furthermore, E-District features several nods toTitanfall, including, but not limited to,a POI named Humbert Labs, which shares narrative synergy with both Caustic and the planet Angelia.Agostini noted that the architects of Suotamo City Hall were directly influenced by Angel City. Remarkably, this iconography is evident throughout the map, including a very compelling statue within the harbor.
E-District Introduces Rewarding New Movement Weaponry
E-District introduces a fresh visual style to the battle royale and a new gameplay element: Gravity Launchers. Essentiallyscaled-down versions of Gravity Cannons, these devices offer players a unique way to navigate the map. Given the abundance of rooftops and tall buildings on this planet, strategically using Gravity Launchers to quickly and efficiently traverse the map will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining which team is crowned Champion.
Apex Legends
WHERE TO PLAY
Conquer with character in Apex Legends, a free-to-play* Hero shooter where legendary characters with powerful abilities team up to battle for fame & fortune on the fringes of the Frontier.Master an ever-growing roster of diverse legends, deep tactical squad play, and bold new innovations that go beyond the Battle Royale experience—all within a rugged world where anything goes. Welcome to the next evolution of Hero Shooter.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
