Apex Legends: Breakout adds mid-match levelling, scraps armour pickups

Respawn Entertainment has detailed Apex Legends: Breakout, the latest seasonal update coming to the free-to-play battle royale shooter.

The highlight of Apex Legends: Breakout is the new Legends Upgrade system. This new gameplay overhaul introduces a new per-match leveling system which will see players build their characters differently between games.

By attacking enemies or engaging in other classes-specific tasks, players will earn XP which allows them to improve their armour, as well as pick a class-specific perk and four set levels.

The new season of Apex Legends is expected to launch on Tuesday, February 13. VGC recently got to experience Apex Legends: Breakout, including getting hands-on with the new Legends Upgrade system.

During the season players will also have the chance to earn Breakout Rewards. Every two weeks, a new Legend becomes free-to-play for the rest of the season.

The lineup includes Fuse, Seer, Rampart, Mad Maggie, Loba, and Valkyrie–each with a unique set of challenges. Players can complete them before the season ends to permanently unlock that Legend, plus cosmetic rewards, Battle Pass Stars, and gifts for their friends.

Breakout’s new mixtape mode is Thunderdome. This new, close-quarters map will host matches of Gun Run, Team Deathmatch, and Control.

Respawn also announced a new collection event to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the game. The event will feature  24 limited-time event cosmetics. Players who collect them all before the event ends will receive 150 Heirloom shards, and purchase a Mythic item of the player’s choice from the Mythic Shop.