Over the past decade, we’ve seen more and more PC and console games released on mobile platforms. Publishers have been bringing their games to mobile to reach a wider audience and meet the growing demand for portable gaming. Meanwhile, the battle royale genre has become one of the most popular types of games on mobile, with titles like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite Mobile massively expanding the player base.
Now, after years of success on PC and consoles, Apex Legends has finally made its way to mobile, offering players a fresh and competitive mobile battle royale experience.
Apex Legends Mobile: Launch and First Impressions
When Apex Legends originally launched, Electronic Arts had no plans to create a mobile version. However, three years later, we finally got Apex Legends Mobile, now available globally.
At first glance, Apex Legends Mobile feels very close to its PC and console versions. It delivers a familiar and exciting experience while adding features tailored for mobile gamers. However, players may still run into a few minor issues that affect the gameplay slightly.
Gameplay and User Interface: Smooth and Customizable
In any first-person shooter on mobile, the two most important factors are the gameplay and user interface. A good mobile shooter must allow players to quickly aim, shoot, dodge, and use items without struggle.
When you launch Apex Legends Mobile for the first time, you’ll notice the setup options that let you choose between two different movement systems. You can select one based on your playstyle, or after completing the tutorial, you can customize your movement settings to match your personal preferences.
This flexibility helps players, whether beginners or veterans, feel more comfortable in the heat of battle.
Different Movement Options: A Game-Changer
Respawn Entertainment has done an excellent job by providing various movement options to cater to a wide range of players. What’s even better is that you can separately customize your controls for battle royale and multiplayer modes.
This customization affects critical gameplay elements like gunplay, reaction time, and player movement. Changing your movement structure and adjusting the HUD (heads-up display) can significantly improve your performance.
If you struggle with aiming and shooting while rotating the camera, you can activate automatic aiming until you get used to the controls. Later, you can switch to manual settings for better reaction times.
Controller Support: Console-Like Experience
Another great feature is that Apex Legends Mobile fully supports controllers. If you prefer a traditional gaming setup, you can easily connect your controller and enjoy a console-like experience on your phone.
The gunplay in the mobile version feels tight and satisfying, and key mechanics like sliding, healing, using shields, and the unique abilities of each Legend remain intact. This attention to detail makes it easy for PC and console players to enjoy the mobile version without feeling like they’re missing anything.
Content and Game Modes: Plenty to Enjoy
Apex Legends Mobile offers two major modes: battle royale and multiplayer.
- In multiplayer, players can jump into Team Deathmatch, where two teams of six players fight until one team reaches 30 kills.
- There’s also a limited-time mode called Arenas, where two teams of three players battle head-to-head in intense rounds.
Meanwhile, the battle royale mode follows the traditional Apex formula. Players can either compete solo or team up with friends to survive and win.
Rewards and Challenges: Keep Playing, Keep Winning
Logging into Apex Legends Mobile daily rewards players with bonuses, helping them progress faster. The game also offers various challenges that, when completed, earn you rewards to boost your overall player level and battle pass rank.
These daily activities and missions keep the gameplay fresh and motivate players to return every day.
First-Person and Third-Person Modes: Choose Your Style
One of the coolest features of Apex Legends Mobile is the option to play in either first-person or third-person view. Even better, the matchmaking system for each camera angle is separate.
This means you can enjoy the game your way without worrying about competing against players using a different view.
Ranked Matches: Serious Competition Awaits
The Ranked mode offers a more competitive environment with fewer bots. As you climb the ranks, you’ll encounter more skilled real players instead of AI opponents.
Early on, you’ll mostly face bots to help you learn, but as your level rises, the game becomes more challenging and rewarding.
Server Quality: Smooth but Needs a VPN in Iran
Server performance in Apex Legends Mobile is generally very good. However, players in Iran will need to use a VPN to change their IP address to access the game properly, as direct access might not be available.
Graphics and Visual Quality: Impressive for Mobile
Apex Legends Mobile offers excellent graphics for a mobile game. Players can select from several graphics modes depending on their device’s hardware.
There’s even an Original mode designed to make the mobile version look as close as possible to the PC and console versions.
Performance on Mid-Range Phones: Good, but Could Be Better
While high-end phones run the game smoothly, mid-range devices might experience frame drops and average performance. However, the game offers settings that let you prioritize frame rate over graphical quality, helping to reduce the problem.
Better optimization for mid-range devices could have made Apex Legends Mobile even closer to a flawless experience.
Legends and Abilities: 10 Heroes to Unlock
At launch, Apex Legends Mobile features 10 Legends. As players level up, they can unlock new Legends, each with unique abilities and playstyles.
The finishing moves after knocking down enemies are well-animated, and the skills feel impactful and satisfying during gameplay.
Music and Sound Design: Familiar and Thrilling
The game’s soundtrack is taken directly from the original Apex Legends, adding an exciting atmosphere to matches.
Voice acting for the Legends also remains consistent with the original, offering a familiar feel for longtime fans.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play Battle Royale
In conclusion, Apex Legends Mobile is an excellent addition to the world of mobile gaming. With its faithful recreation of the original experience, smooth gunplay, flexible controls, and polished visuals, it stands as one of the best mobile battle royale games today.
If you already enjoy the PC version and own a high-end smartphone, Apex Legends Mobile is absolutely worth trying.