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Gameplay critique: is gaming at its lowest point?

Gamers Express Frustration | Unplayable Lobbies and Overpowered Weapons in Apex Legends

By

Liam O'Sullivan

Jun 28, 2026, 09:41 PM

Edited By

Carlos Gomez

2 minutes of duration

A person sitting at a desk, looking frustrated while playing a video game on a computer, with charts showing gameplay issues in the background.
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A wave of discontent has swept through the gaming community regarding the state of Apex Legends. Many players voice concerns over gameplay mechanics, lobby imbalances, and character buffs, leading to the sentiment that the game is worse than ever.

Major Grievances Raised

Concerns sparked on forums as players shared their experiences with the game. They reported difficulty navigating lobbies and frustrating encounters with scans that hinder gameplay. One player lamented that going more than a few steps often results in multiple scans that leave them vulnerable.

Lobbies Overrun by Skill Gaps

Complaints about matchmaking have also been prominent, with users claiming they experience games dominated by either their team scoring 40-11, or facing teams comprised entirely of top-tier players. This disparity has made warming up in team deathmatches feel nearly impossible.

Weapon Imbalances Take Center Stage

Weapon mechanics have come under fire, notably the alternator and spitfire. As one commentator noted, the alternator can shoot for seven seconds straight with no recoil, while the spitfire allows players to dump 50 bullets with ease.

"Iโ€™ve never once thought, โ€˜ugh why does the Alternator/Spitfire have so much ammo?"

  • A frustrated player

Lack of Compelling Storytelling

Interestingly, players also miss the rich backstory once present in the game. Many feel that character lore and map history have diminished, contributing to a lack of engagement in the game.

Strong Reactions Across the Board

The comments reflect a mixed sentiment, with some players voicing frustration, while others share their take on specific character dynamics. One player was clear: "Game was in such a good spot before Axel. Everything looked so promising!" Others feel that character nerfs make little sense, questioning the balance implemented by developers.

Here are some notable statements from the community:

  • "Delete Axel from the game tbh, then we wouldnโ€™t need Seer adjustments."

  • "Every season of Apex claims to be the worst, yet players continue to engage."

Key Observations

  • โŒ Weapons like alternator and spitfire are perceived as too powerful.

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Matchmaking issues leave players frustrated with high skill disparity.

  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Critique of character lore shows players are seeking deeper narratives in gameplay.

As discussions continue online, the community eagerly anticipates any response from developers regarding changes to balance and gameplay mechanics.

Whatโ€™s on the Horizon for Apex Legends?

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that developers will prioritize addressing the matchmaking issues highlighted by players. Experts estimate around a 60% probability that they will introduce new algorithms to reduce the skill gaps and provide a fairer playing field. Additionally, we could see weapon balancing changes soon, particularly for the alternator and spitfire, as discussions about overall gameplay fairness intensify within the community. As the new season approaches, developers might also look to reintegrate more character lore and storytelling elements to engage players looking for depth in their gameplay experience.

Echoes from the Past: A Gaming Reflection

This scenario mirrors the frustrations seen in the early days of other multiplayer games, like the launch of Destiny 2, which faced backlash over its raid mechanics and gun balance. Players felt similarly ignored, leading to mixed feelings about the gameโ€™s future. However, that frustration sparked discussions that encouraged the developers to adjust and ultimately enhanced the game over time. Just as the players helped shape Destiny's evolution, the current voices in the Apex community may lead to significant changes, proving that collective playersโ€™ feedback can drive meaningful growth in gaming.