Apex Legends, the popular battle royale game, has seen a significant shift in its Steam reviews, now labeled as “Overwhelmingly Negative”. This drastic change comes as Respawn Entertainment and EA implement substantial changes to the game, sparking widespread discontent among fans.
Legacy System Overhaul Sparks Backlash
The latest announcement from Respawn has introduced a notable change to Apex Legends, effective from Season 22 onwards. The game’s long-standing legacy system will be phased out, and players will no longer be able to purchase the Battle Pass using Apex Coins. According to Respawn, this shift aims to enhance the overall value of the battle pass, driven by community feedback and other factors. However, this move has left players reeling, feeling forced to adapt to a new system.
Monetization Strategies Under Fire
The Apex Legends Steam page has been inundated with negative reviews, prompting a wave of review-bombing from disgruntled gamers. At the heart of this discontent is the perception that the developer and publisher have prioritized profit over player satisfaction, introducing monetization systems that feel exploitative and greedy. Fans feel abandoned and disrespected, leading to a stark contrast in the game’s previous reception.
Financial Success Fuels Controversy
EA’s revelation that Apex Legends has generated $3 billion in revenue over its 5-year lifespan has added fuel to the fire. Players question the necessity of introducing additional revenue streams, given the game’s substantial profits and free-to-play model. This has further exacerbated the controversy surrounding the game’s monetization strategies.
Community Theories and Developer Response
Theories abound within the community, with some attributing the changes to a decline in player numbers. Others suspect a more concerning motive: that the game’s developers have lost interest in creating a high-quality experience. While this notion is harder to substantiate, given the continued updates and content additions, the backlash and Respawn Entertainment’s history of transparency may prompt an official response to address concerns and provide clarity on the reasoning behind these changes.
