Just like every collection event before it,Apex Legends' ongoing Awakening event brings changes to the battle royale hero-shooter. The much-loved Control mode returns, now with a new map set in World’s Edge’s Lava Siphon. The Olympus map also hasa new location by way of Lifelife’s Clinic- a town takeover point of interest that gives players another good place to loot up. Last but not least are the collection event cosmetics based around Japanese pop culture and superpowered versions of the Legends.
Collecting all 24 cosmetics in the Awakening event gives players Valkyrie’s heirloom set, which consists of an intro voice line, a banner pose, and most important of all, the character’s Suzaku melee weapon. Respawn Entertainment always strives to make the latest heirloom better than the ones that came before. Not only does the heirloom have to look cool, but its design has to fit the character who owns it. Apart from looks, both the first and third-person animations have to be fluid and interesting. Valkyrie’s Suzaku, being the fourteenth melee weapon introduced in the game, raises the bar forApex Legendsheirlooms.
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The Suzaku’s First-Person Animations Are Sleek and Narrative Driven
Even though other players will never see them, first-person animations are the most essential parts of anApex Legendsheirloom weapon. These animations bring some much-needed pizzazz to the otherwise mundane animations that play when non-heirloom owners inspect their empty hands or attack with their fists and legs. Valkyrie’s Suzaku has one initial draw animation, seven static draw animations, three draw animations specific to sprinting, five inspect animations, and a single rare animation. This doesn’t include the number of attack animations and unique holding animation that plays whenshe uses her VTOL Jets passive ability. From the first-person perspective alone, Valkyrie’s heirloom is a contender for the Apex Legends melee weapons with the most animations.
Most of these involve Valkyrie using her weapon properly, but some are more playful and lore-driven. Inspect animations such as the one where Valkyrie balances one of her missiles on her spear before chucking it, to another where she uses the Suzaku to heat a bowl of ramen, play into Valkyrie’s naivete and happy-go-lucky nature.
Contrasting these joke animations are the more story-driven ones. Valkyrie’s Suzaku has an inspect animation that has her putting away her weapon and taking out the helmet ofher deceased father, Viper. She talks to her father when this animation plays, telling him that she no longer wants to chase his legacy, but instead go after her own. Apart from this particular animation, another rare animation plays wherein Valkyrie takes out the Apex Games invitational card Kuben Blisk gave her. Players who know about Valkyrie will appreciate the nods to her high-spirited attitude and backstory.
Third-Person Animations Are Important Too
AnApex Legendsheirloom isn’t truly a weapon unless the third-person animations make enemies want to avoid getting hit. Valkyrie’s Suzaku is currently the biggest heirloom in the game, and with it comes unique animations for attacking nearby foes. Valkyrie holds the Suzaku in two hands when not in use, but once it’s time to fight, both the weapon and Legend spring into action. Valkyrie charges at full speed with the Suzaku held high in her right hand before stabbing or slashing enemies with the sharp end. The Suzaku’s third-person animation can be a bit buggy - the weapon hovers beside Valkyrie when she is doing actions such as holding a ledge or usingher Skyward Dive ultimate- but they don’t detract from the fact that most of the third-person animations accurately mirror the actions she does in first-person.
Valkyrie’s Suzaku pushes the envelope forwhatApex Legendsmelee weapons can do. The sheer size of the weapon coupled with the number of animations and storytelling content fit onto it make an otherwise inconsequential cosmetic feel more important. Heirloom weapons give players no tactical advantage whatsoever, but they provide some entertainment during the downtime moments of a match. Valkyrie players with heirloom shards or money to burn will get a kick out of her heirloom rewards and have fun finding the many intricacies of the Suzaku.
Apex Legendsis available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
