Category: Video Games

Announcing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Season 2, launching February 15

Forge your path and create a legacy in Season 2 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. In addition to a new map that will be featured in Resurgence and DMZ game modes, the new season brings Ranked Play, additional Multiplayer maps, and a handful of franchise-favorite game modes like Infected, Gun Game, and Grind.

Unlock five new free functional weapons, test your skills in the Path of the Ronin Challenges, and dominate with the new Operator, Ronin.

Season 2 launches on PlayStation on February 15.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 — Introducing Ashika Island


Announcing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Season 2, launching February 15

Ashika Island is a centuries-old village under siege by Shadow Company forces. Navigate an ancient shipwreck and ruins, a modern town center, a beach club, a port, an organic farm, or the fortified castle standing over the island. Ashika Island has its own secrets to uncover, often rewarding intrepid explorers. Its points of interest include:

Ōganikku Farms – The majority of the northwestern sector of Ashika Island is comprised of mixed agricultural, residential, and industrial use, along with old shoreline defenses.

Town Center – Impressive sea wall defenses, a Ferry Terminal, tourist facilities, a semi-circular City Hall structure and more highlight this point of interest.

Beach Club – Further southwest of the Town Center, and east of the Port is an aquarium and Beach Club and open-air swimming within the southwestern ocean beach.

Tsuki Castle – The higher ground in the center of Ashika Island is dominated by an ancient castle with multiple fortifications, cherry blossoms in bloom, and a natural defensive hill along the southwestern side of the structure.

Port Ashika – The southwestern edge is dominated by rocky bluffs, and a port named after the island. Expect a variety of industrial warehouses, offices, a comms tower as you venture towards the ocean.

Residential – On the lower ground below the castle battlements to the north, and east of the Farms and allotments sits some residential housing between a couple of industrial structures.

Shipwreck – The inclement weather and hazardous shoreline spelled doom for two cargo tankers. Both vessels have run aground here, and the Shipment containers they were carrying have been mostly saved and stacked in a pleasing manner.

Resurgence Returns: Available for all squad sizes – Solos, Duos, Trios, and Quads – within regular Playlist updates throughout the season, Resurgence Mode allows for multiple respawns, as long as one squad member is still standing. If a squad member is eliminated while one or more squad members are still alive, a countdown will appear beside their name. When this countdown hits zero, they will redeploy to the Drop Zone.

This countdown can be shortened by your squadmates performing specific in-game actions such as eliminating enemies. This countdown grows longer with each circle collapse until the final few circles — where all redeploys, save for those bought through a Buy Station — are disabled. The last squad standing wins.

Exclusive features to Ashika Island

Restore Honor (Launch, Resurgence): Every Operator on Ashika Island will drop a dog tag upon death, which can either be picked up by a squadmate or themselves after redeploying. Doing so grants a small Cash reward and a single UAV ping that marks both enemy threats and nearby Supply Boxes.

Search and Seizure (In-Season, Resurgence): Reclaim a stolen vehicle from Shadow Company forces on the island. Operators must neutralize any guards near the vehicle, then grab the dropped key and get the vehicle to its designated drop-off point. Expect heavy resistance en route to your destination.

Data Heist (In-Season, Resurgence): A new Public Event, the Data Heist occurs during the second circle collapse, when three uplink stations come online around the map. Squads can hack into and remain near the uplink station to gain intel. Eliminate incoming Shadow Company forces to speed up the download process.

Enemy Operators can halt progress by contesting the station area directly or by using a DDoS Field Upgrade. Squads that successfully download the intel from two or three uplink stations will receive increased rewards, such as a random Killstreak or even an Advanced UAV.

Redeploy Drones (In-Season, Resurgence): Redeploy Drones are the high-risk, high-reward way to reposition around Ashika Island. Simply hook a cable up to the drone via interaction, then launch up and parachute to a distant location. Drones occasionally change position during the match and can be targeted by lock-on missiles.

New Rusher Combatant (In-Season, Resurgence): What they lack in defense, the Rusher makes up for in agility and a deadly short sword. This adversary also packs a pistol in case a target is unreachable for a melee attack, as well as mini smoke bombs for distraction and repositioning.

DMZ expands to Ashika Island

As part of the new season, Ashika Island will be a new Exclusion Zone accessible in DMZ. This new area continues the mode’s narrative and other new features like Boss Hideouts.

Season 2 Combat Pack for PlayStation Plus members

Available on February 22, the Season 2 Combat Pack grants Hiro “Oni” Wantanabe a new Operator Skin that suits the journey of those living the Samurai Code.

PlayStation Plus members will also receive the following: the “Oni Carver” SMG Blueprint, the “Oni Slasher” Assault Rifle Blueprint, the “Yoroi” Weapon Charm, the “Crimson Oni” Animated Calling Card, the “Golden Dragonfly” Weapon Sticker, and the “Grinning Oni” Emblem.

Modern Warfare II — Ranked Play, Additional Maps and Modes

Ranked Play: Prove your skills in this feature-packed Multiplayer mode using Call of Duty League (CDL)-approved rules, restrictions, maps, and modes. Earn exclusive items and display your public skill rank with pride.

Ranked Play includes seven Skill Divisions — Bronze through the Top 250, where your name will be displayed on a special Top 250 leaderboard. Earn Skill Division Skins based on your highest rank for the Season, including rewards for finishing in the Gold Division or above for the first time, along with other unique rewards given out each season.

New Multiplayer maps at launch

Dome (Core Map): Located at the highest point in Al Mazrah, Dome is a recreation of one of Call of Duty’s most iconic Multiplayer maps. This small- to medium-sized map is built for fast-paced combat in and around its three main buildings, including the iconic domed structure.

Zaya Observatory (Battle Map): The Battle Map version of Dome expands to fit the entire mountaintop area.

Al Malik International (Battle Map): This modern airport located at the southern tip of Al Mazrah features traditional and modern architecture. Use the skills you’ve applied here in Battle Royale and DMZ to secure victory.

The other Core map launching at the start of Season 2 is Valderas Museum, returning since first appearing in the Modern Warfare II Beta.

New Multiplayer modes

Infected (Launch): Operators must avoid the chosen Infected player at all costs. Eliminated survivors join the Infected until none remain, or the timer runs out.

Gun Game (Launch): Each ranged elimination awards the next weapon, while melee eliminations put your opponent one weapon back on the 18-weapon rotation.

Grind (Launch): Kill Confirmed with a twist: Enemy dog tags are stackable and must be banked at one of two fixed locations. Bank multiple dog tags at once to maximize point gains.

Drop Zone (In-Season): A derivative of Hardpoint, Drop Zone sends a Care Package down into occupied zones every 15 seconds. Perfect for those looking to ramp up their Killstreak elimination numbers or who just love pure chaos.

All or Nothing (In-Season): Operators start the match with Throwing Knives and a pistol with no ammo, plus additional perks with each elimination starting with Scavenger, granting ammo after each elimination.

One in the Chamber (In-Season): Every Operator gets a handgun with one bullet in the chamber for this Free-for-All variant. Each elimination awards an additional bullet, and Operators have only three respawns. 

Raid Episode 2 Coming Mid-Season

Atomgrad was just the beginning. Price, Farah, and Gaz will be back later in Season 2 with Episode 2 of the Raid, a continuation of the Modern Warfare II Campaign.

Path of the Ronin Season Challenges

The Path of the Ronin Event presents seven challenges to be completed in Warzone 2.0 or Modern Warfare II based on the themes of Integrity, Respect, Courage, Honor, Compassion, Sincerity, and Loyalty. Complete every challenge to unlock the new Crossbow functional weapon.

Five New Weapons at Launch

Get three of these new weapons through the Season 2 Battle Pass and the other two weapons through seasonal challenges:

ISO Hemlock Assault Rifle (Launch, Battle Pass): This powerful and enhanced rifle from Expedite Firearms is designed to take both 5.56 and subsonic .300 BLK ammunition, providing battlefield-advantage in any situation.

KV Broadside Shotgun (Launch, Battle Pass): Bringing the power of 12 gauge to the Kastov Platform, the KV Broadside is the fastest-firing semi-auto firearm in the shotgun class. Destroys targets at close range with impunity.

Crossbow (Launch Window, Challenges): Silent and agile, this high-performance crossbow fires 20.0” bolts with exceptional lethality. Exclusive customization, distinct functionality, and unique ammunition types put this weapon in a class of its own. Standard 20.0” bolts are recoverable and are undetectable by Trophy Systems. Unlock this new functional weapon by completing The Path of the Ronin challenges.

Also coming to Season 2 is the Dual Kodachis Melee Weapon as part of the Battle Pass, as well as a new Marksman Rifle to be available at midseason.

New personal watercraft vehicle

Complementing the armored Patrol Boat and the midsized RHIB, the Personal Watercraft (PWC) is a nimble seacraft capable of swiftly carrying up to two Operators through waterways.

New Operator

Daniel “Ronin” Shinoda (Launch): Returning from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Ronin is an ex–Special Forces fighter known for his mastery of multiple fighting styles. He is an accomplished saboteur who can pick apart defense systems like no other Operator can. 

Season 2 Launches February 15

Purchase Modern Warfare II on PlayStation for the premium Warzone 2.0 experience — access up to 14 additional Operators, earn Weapon and Level Progression, and more. As a Modern Warfare II owner, receive bonus XP at the end of each match when you play Warzone 2.0.

Stay frosty.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone Season 2 Roadmaps Revealed

Following a two-week delay, Activision has fully revealed the Season 2 roadmap for both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and its free-to-play companion game, Warzone 2.0.

The extensive list of updates includes new maps for both games, the return of popular modes, and even a new watercraft vehicle. More importantly, it will add ranked play to multiplayer in Modern Warfare 2, which will offer “plenty of rewards and bragging rights.”

Season 2 is currently slated to launch for both games on February 15 at 9am PT.

In a blog post detailing the updates, Activision laid out the changes while revealing Warzone’s new Japanese-themed Ashika Island map. Here’s the official description.

Developed by High Moon Studios, Ashika Island is a centuries-old village currently under siege by Shadow Company forces. After dropping in through the mist, Operators can navigate an ancient shipwreck and ruins, modern apartments and town center, a sprawling beach club, a bustling port, an organic farm, or the fortified castle that looms over the entire island. They may even discover plenty of rooftop pathways or the underground waterway networks that can be used for stealthier maneuvers.

The island is suited for Resurgence Mode, Activision says — a variant on the traditional battle royale formula built around respawns and smaller maps.

Other additions include:

  • Two core maps and two battle maps in Modern Warfare 2. Dome (6v6) and Museum (6v6) will be the staple maps for the entirety of Season 2.
  • A “half-dozen modes” including Hardcore Mode, which is considered a series staple.
  • Episode 2 of Raid, which serves as a continuation of the Modern Warfare 2 campaign.

Originally released last year, Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 both proved popular but also generated lengthy wishlists from fans. The long-awaited Season 2 update was subsequently delayed due to the desire to address “player feedback.”

In our review of Warzone 2 we wrote, “Building on the already rock-solid foundation of the original Warzone, Warzone 2.0 is a positive update to Call of Duty’s battle royale mode, even with few drawbacks of its own.”

Elsewhere, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released its initial findings on the Activision Blizzard merger earlier today, with the CMA arguing that the deal would ultimately hurt gamers. Nevertheless, Xbox’s Phil Spencer says he remains confident the deal will ultimately go through.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Forspoken Director Promises Patch to Improve Performance and Playability

Square Enix’s Forspoken can be deciedly mixed when it comes to performance, but the game’s director says some fixes are on the way. On Twitter, Forspoken director Takeshi Aramaki didn’t provide a timeline for upcoming performance updates, but said the developers are working hard at it now.

“We’ve been listening to all your feedback and are hard at work on an upcoming patch that will include improvements to overall performance, graphics, playability, and general updates and fixes to the game content across PS5 and vartious PC hardware configurations,” Aramaki wrote. “We are committed to making Forspoken the most enjoyable experience possible and will provide an update about the timing of the next patch as soon as possible.”

In IGN’s Forspoken performance review, we said that the game misses the expected mark in quality and consistency, hoping that patches could resolve some of the performance and quality issues present.

Some of those issues included blurry and last-generation looking details on the PS5, framerate dipping into the mid 20s, and high input latency. These problems, along with the fact taht Forspoken doesn’t feel like it’s “utilising some of the key aspects of current generation consoles,” made Forspoken feel like a cross-generation game.

Overall, we called Forspoken “okay”, saying “Forspoken is the sort of game you’ve probably seen before – from its stereotypical fish-out-of-water fantasy story to its giant open-world map full of repetitive optional tasks.”

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Feature: The Best Endings In Games On Nintendo Switch

All things must come to a GAME OVER.

It’s hard to say goodbye, but sometimes, it’s for the best. Some of the more memorable and touching stories we’ve witnessed in games throughout the years have been the ones that ended tragically, or culminated in a bittersweet conclusion — there’s a reason Shakespeare’s most-loved plays are Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, after all! We’re just suckers for an unhappy ending.

But not all of the games on this list of best endings are tragic. Some are heartwarming, some are fitting for the characters we’ve come to know and love, and some are just straight-up beautiful. We’ve narrowed it down to Switch games only (including Nintendo Switch Online games), because there are a lot of brilliant endings out there in games, but even then, we found it hard to narrow down — so make sure to head to the comments to suggest your own.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Apex Legends – Revelry Shakes Up the Party with an Anniversary Celebration and New Season of Content

Summary

  • Team Deathmatch – 6 vs. 6 (two 3-person squads per team).
  • Remastered Legend Classes and Perks – five classes each with special benefits.
  • Nemesis Burst Assault Rifle – Energy class assault rifle with auto trigger and burst fire.

Other words for “revelry” are partying, festivities, merrymaking… and that’s exactly what you can expect from this season of Apex Legends. In the four years since launch, it has steadily flourished with new Legends, weapons, maps, seasons, and more. But with the Revelry update on February 14, this may be one of the most significant years for Apex Legends yet.

Apex Legends Revelry

Team Deathmatch Replaces Arenas

I was disappointed to hear that Arenas mode is being removed from the game (it’s one of my personal favorites). But in its place, Respawn is bringing Team Deathmatch (TDM) to the game. This iconic game mode will feature 6-player teams competing for the first-to-30 kills in best-of-three matches. You can team up with two friends (or autofill) and join another team of three to battle it out against two other teams of three across Skull Town, Party Crashers, and Habitat 4.

In addition, Apex Legends is getting a Mixtape mode in March, which is a persistent playlist of TDM and fan-favorite limited time modes from previous seasons on a rotating cycle. Team Deathmatch and Mixtape will not have a ranked mode (at least for now). Speaking of ranked modes and map rotations, Ranked Battle Royale will feature a map rotation this season, another longtime fan-requested feature.

Apex Legends Revelry

Remastered Legend Classes and Perks

One of the biggest reveals from a recent hands-on preview event is that Legends will now be assigned to one of five classes while retaining their individual abilities. The developers discussed how players weren’t selecting Legends based on their roles, largely because the class structure wasn’t impactful enough. This disparity ultimately led to the overhaul of the entire core class system.

The way this will work after the Revelry update is that each class will receive a specific benefit (perk); this will be available to all Legends in that class. Some perks will be similar to abilities that exist in the game today, like supply bins with special compartments and scanning for the next ring location. Others will be new and potentially game-changing, like revealing enemy player locations on the map and crafting fallen teammate banners in the Replicator. This redesign is intended to benefit teams with a blend of offensive and defensive classes and Legends.

Apex Legends Revelry

Nemesis Burst Assault Rifle

Designed to compete with the R-301 and the Flatline assault rifles, the Nemesis Burst Assault Rifle is a hybrid between the Hemlock and Havoc. It fires a four-round burst with each pull of the trigger, but holding the trigger engages the Auto Trigger function, repeating burst fire automatically. The longer the trigger pull, the shorter the time between bursts until it’s firing like a fully automatic weapon. It’s very powerful and I expect to see a lot of players using it.

Other weapon changes coming this season will include the return of the Rampage Light Machine Gun to the battlefield, and the Volt Submachine Gun and Longbow DMR will be available to craft on the Replicator. Additionally, shotguns are getting some much-needed upgrades. The Peacekeeper and Mastiff can now equip tactical stocks to improve reload speed, handling, and aim drift, plus a gold shotgun bolt will be available, improving rate of fire and the added ability of reloading automatically when you slide.

Apex Legends Revelry

The Top Three Things I’m Most Excited for in Apex Legends Revelry

  • Recovering Ally Banners (Even When Expired) – Of all the new class perks revealed during the preview event, this was the one that excited me the most. Support Legends (Loba, Lifeline, Gibraltar, and Newcastle) will be able to craft teammates’ banners from a Replicator for 30 units of material, even if their Banner Card on their death box has expired. You’ll still need to use one of the stationary or mobile Respawn Beacons to respawn your teammates, but hopefully this change encourages fallen players to stick around for a chance to rejoin the fight.
  • Care Package Weapon – Learning the Hemlock Assault Rifle will be part of the Care Package this season was a bit of a surprise since it isn’t one of the more popular weapons – but it’s one of my personal favorites and this augmented version is devastating in combat. It boasts increased damage, especially with headshots, plus it’s equipped with the boosted loaded feature. It’s pretty awesome.
  • New Player Experience – I applaud Respawn for improving the onboarding of new players by implementing measures to help them learn the game. Recruits will have to complete a number of orientation matches against a battlefield comprised mostly of bots before access to the public servers will be available. Also, new recruits can earn an Apex 101 badge for completing 10 challenges designed to introduce core gameplay mechanics. While these innovative measures will help welcome newcomers into the game, it will also help experienced players be matched up with competent battle-ready teammates.

As with every new Apex Legends season, Revelry will feature a new Battle Pass complete with Legend and weapon skins, gun charms, banner frames, and emotes. Each of the maps is getting a celebratory makeover with colorful banners decorating the buildings and Chibi balloons of the Legends brightening the sky. Best of all, the return of the Mirage Voyage. Let the Revelry begin!

Apex Legends Revelry

Apex Legends is a free-to-play shooter available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out everything included in the new Revelry season when it launches on February 14. And if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, don’t forget to redeem your perks and grab the Arc of Gold Weapon Charm available for a limited time with your monthly EA Play Rewards.

Related:
Overwatch 2 – Season 3 Lands February 7 with a New Control Map, Battle Pass, and More
The Dragon Strikes Back with the World of Warships: Legends Lunar New Year Update
Gifts Galore: Celebrating 12 Years of DC Universe Online

Overwatch 2: New Set of Funko Action Figures Revealed

Overwatch 2 had an enormous launch last year, seeing 35 million players try the free-to-play game in its first month alone. Now, IGN can exclusively reveal four new Overwatch 2 toys from Funko, including three action figures and a new Funko Pop.

The three action figures are Tracer, Genji, and Reaper. The action figures stand at 3.75 inches tall, and will retail for $12.99. Each figure comes with alternate hand and weapons attachments, while Genji and Tracer also come with an alternate head attachment.

The newly-revealed Pop is of Echo in a Hot Rod skin. The Pop stands at 5.05 inches tall. You can take a look at all four newly-revealed products in the gallery below.

You can order the new products beginning today at Funko’s website. If you’re interested, you can check out the links for the Tracer action figure, Genji action figure, Reaper action figure, and Echo Pop.

We awarded Overwatch 2 a great score in our review, saying, “Overwatch 2 breathes new life into what was once the sharpest multiplayer shooter around, before it had its edges severely dulled by Blizzard’s attention shifting away.” Now, fans are diving into the newly-released Season 3, which features the game’s first IP collaboration with Doomfist’s One-Punch Man skin.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

This citybuilding puzzle game is Threes meets Dorfromantik, and I’m extremely here for it

Urbo might be my Dorfromantik of 2023. It’s a chill, citybuilding puzzle game from the devs behind the altogether more violent Diplomacy Is Not An Option, and it’s all about building tiny little villages on top of rocky outcrops. Except when you stick three of the same building type together, they all zhuup together to create an even bigger one. And a bigger one, and a bigger one. It’s very satisfying. The smooshing lights up all the same parts of my brain that Threes did when I became obsessed with it about five years ago, while the tile planning hits scratches that big Dorfromantik itch, making for an excellent Steam Next Fest demo experience.

Read more

Apex Legends Season 16 ALL Class, Legend, and Weapon Reworks Explained

Apex Legends Season 16 Revelry is just around the corner launching February 14th and there are a lot of changes coming for Apex’s fourth anniversary. There’s a big rework coming to the Legends Class system and rebalancing along with a new weapon, new limited time modes and permanent playlist, and the farewell of Arenas. Here’s an in-depth look at everything changing in Apex Legends Revelry.

Reworked Class System

The Legend Classes were implemented before but didn’t really have much to offer the Legends in each category. So the rework focuses on 5 new classes – Assault, Skirmisher, Recon, Controller, Support. Each class has individual gameplay perk for strategic gameplay value not combat.

Assault

Focus: Assault Legends are the instigators. They focus on combat Initiation and utility, using their abilities to initiate plays or force enemies to play.

Assault Legends: Maggie, Fuse, Ashe, Revenant, Bangalore

Perk: Open hidden shelf of new weapon red supply bins – upgrades for your squad and can

carry an extra stash of ammo in the inventory slot one more bar

Skirmisher

Focus: Skirmisher Legends are the escape artists. They focus on combat mobility and escape.

Skirmisher Legends: Pathfinder, Wraith, Valk, Mirage, Horizon, Octane

Can spot incoming care packages from a distance and see what’s inside and can see if it’s been taken or still there

Perk: When a Care Package drops, Skirmishers are able to see what weapon is inside the care package and ping the weapon on their map and track when it’s been picked up.

Recon

Focus: Focus Legends are the information trackers. They focus on enemy intel and tracking.

Recon Legends: Crypto, Seer, Vantage, Bloodhound

Perk: Recon Legends will no longer scan for the next Ring data but instead scan the reworked Survey Beacon that reveals enemy locations on their maps. (Scan acts like Crypto’s Map Room on King’s Canyon)

Controller

Focus: Controller Legends are the bunker and area denier players. They focus on setting up in their designated areas and control that location.

Controller Legends: Catalyst, Wattson, Caustic, Rampart

Perk: Controller Legends can scan a Ring Console that will reveal the next ring location so they can plan their next spot they want to bunker down and set up in.

Support

Focus: Support Legends provide back up for their teams. They focus on team survival and supply.

Support Legends: Newcastle, Lifeline, Loba, Gibby

Perk: All have access to hidden shelves in Blue support bins and will provide high value healing and survival items, they can craft fallen ally banners even after they’ve expired.

Major Legend Meta Changes

Scan Legends have been dominating the meta throughout the seasons now and they’re finally being addressed with Revelry.

Seer is getting nerfed with no longer being able to constantly use his passive scan, Heart Seeker. He will have a slight wind up time in being able to utilize Heart Seeker and enemies will now audibly hear when a Seer is nearby attempting to use his passive. Seer’s ultimate, Exhibit, has been given more of a cooldown time so he can’t throw it out in every fight he gets.

Bloodhound’s ultimate, Beast of the Hunt, will still grant them speed and outlined vision when activated but will no longer grant them the decreased scan cooldown time. Instead, Bloodhound will have a new passive White Raven concept where White Ravens will be located near enemies locations and fly towards where they are when approached.

Wraith was our day one competitive Legend who has been long delayed in receiving a buff and now she’ll have a longer ultimate Dimensional Rift, where she can place portals further and when she’s ulting, Wraith will be able to instantly use her tactical Into the Void without any delays.

Pathfinder is getting a slight buff and he’ll be able to deploy his ultimate Ziplline Gun further than before and he will be able to zip faster on his own zipline allowing him to escape faster.

Horizon is finally getting her nerf that we saw accidentally implemented a few weeks ago. Horizon’s tactical ability Gravity Lift no longer allows her to stay accurate when firing down at enemies but her vertical rise speed in the lift has been increased.

Mirage is also getting some long-deserved love with a buff. After reviving his teammate, Mirage and the revived teammate will be invisible for 3 seconds as long as they do not swap to any weapons. When one of Mirage’s clones is shot, Mirage’s team will now be able to track that enemy for a short amount of time.

LIfeline is also being given a small buff that will help her survivability. Her slow penalty is gone when she taps to revive her teammates and her ultimate Care Package speed drop has been greatly increased, dropping almost instantly after being deployed.

New Weapon: Nemesis

There’s also a new weapon, Nemesis, coming which is a new addition to the energy class. It’s a burst assault rifle that fires four rounds per burst, with the ability to just hold down the trigger to continue firing, unlike the hemlock. The Nemesis speeds up the time it takes to fire the rounds of bursts the longer the trigger is held down and stays charged for a certain amount of time after.

The charge time doesn’t deplete that quickly so it’s a bit forgiving on how long you go without firing. So during an active fight your Nemesis should stay charged up and almost simulate a fully auto assault rifle. In essence, it’s like the devotion once it’s been fully ramped up without a turbocharger. The Nemesis will take Barrel Mods, Extended Mags, Stocks, and any AR sight attachments.

Weapon Changes

Every season we get weapon changes in and out the Crafter rotation and Care Package rotations. In Revelry, the Hemlock is now one of the Care Package world drop weapons with a huge buff to increase damage and headshot damage.

The Rampage is now on the floor loot pool along with the CAR and the Volt is now in the Crafter. Assault Rifles are all getting reworked to decrease their hipfire accuracy since they’re supposed to be best at midrange and give SMGs a chance to win in close range fights. The R301 in particular is getting another damage nerf lowered from 14 to 13.

There are now Gold Shotgun Bolts that grant the perk of reloading your shotguns whether they are in your hands or stowed every time you slide around. Every shotgun will now take stocks as well to balance them out.

Gamemode Updates

Arenas are unfortunately going away permanently in Revelry and instead a new permanent game mode Mixtape is being added. Mixtape is a playlist with a rotating roster of limited time game modes Control, Gun Run, and Team Deathmatch. Mixtape will drop March 7 after the launch of Season 16.

Speaking of Team Deathmatch, that is the new limited time mode dropping with Revelry and it’s a 6v6 fast respawn mode where the first team to win two rounds wins the game. The loadouts will work like Control where you can choose at the start of the match and switch off during respawns, and there will also be world Care Package drops during matches.

The maps in Team Deathmatch will be reusing Arenas maps like Habitat, Party Crasher, and Skulltown and this limited time mode will be in game for three weeks.

Quality of Life Changes

We can finally customize our firing ranges to fit the warm ups and weapon tests we need! There are settings in the Firing Range menu you can explore that allow you to customize what level armor dummies have, how they move or if they can move, to show you hit indicators and damage numbers, and even show you where you hit them to track your spray patterns.

For ranked in Revelry, there will no longer be map splits though there will still be the normal ranked split. Maps will rotate every 24 hours between Broken Moon, Stormpoint, and World’s Edge in the Ranked playlist instead of being stuck to one map for each half split.

We’ll have a video update for you up soon detailing each of these new changes in visual form! What are you most excited for with Season 16? Let us know! Be sure to check back here in two days to get the video update of Apex Legends Season 16 Revelry’s full breakdown.

Stella is a Video Producer, Host, and Editor at IGN. Her gameplay focus is on competitive FPS games and she’s previously reviewed Apex Legends, Hyper Scape, Halo Infinite Multiplayer, and Battlefield 2042. She regularly hosts and shoutcasts competitive Apex Legends and Halo Infinite tournaments when she isn’t streaming on her Twitch channel after work outs. You can follow her on Twitter @ParallaxStella.