When Titanfall 2 hit the shelves in 2016, it quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. Its fast-paced movement, innovative use of Titans, and fluid combat set it apart from other first-person shooters. Despite the game receiving widespread critical acclaim, fans were left puzzled as the much-anticipated sequel, Titanfall 3, never materialized. Instead, Apex Legends—a battle royale game set in the Titanfall universe—took its place, leaving many to wonder: what happened?
The Rise and Fall of Titanfall 2
To understand how Titanfall 3 became Apex Legends, it’s important to look at what happened with Titanfall 2. The game was launched in a very competitive period, releasing between two blockbuster titles—Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. While Titanfall 2 was highly praised for its multiplayer innovation and a surprisingly strong single-player campaign, its sales suffered due to the tight competition.
Despite its underwhelming commercial performance, fans of the series were eagerly awaiting Titanfall 3. Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the franchise, had indeed begun work on the next installment. However, around this time, the gaming landscape was undergoing a massive shift. The battle royale genre was exploding in popularity, led by games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and Fortnite. Seeing the trend, Respawn made a pivotal decision that would alter the course of Titanfall’s future.
From Titanfall 3 to Apex Legends: A Strategic Shift
During the early development of Titanfall 3, Respawn’s team recognized the potential of the battle royale format. Instead of continuing with a traditional sequel, they took a bold risk: they decided to build a battle royale game set in the Titanfall universe. This led to the birth of Apex Legends in early 2019.
Although Apex Legends doesn’t feature the towering Titans or traditional Titanfall mechanics like wall-running, it carries forward much of the DNA that made Titanfall special. The game’s emphasis on fluid movement, precise gunplay, and unique character abilities gave it a fresh and dynamic feel in a crowded genre. What set Apex Legends apart was its focus on team-based gameplay, with a roster of diverse “Legends,” each offering unique abilities, making it stand out from its competitors. With that said, Apex Legends is still faithful to its roots and mentions its roots and from time to time hardcore fans can find references to previous Titanfall games.
The Success of Apex Legends and the Fate of Titanfall 3
Respawn’s decision to pivot away from Titanfall 3 to Apex Legends was a huge success. The game launched without any prior announcements or marketing, a complete surprise to gamers. Within its first month, Apex Legends garnered millions of players and became one of the top battle royale titles in the industry. Its ongoing success, with new Legends, maps, and seasons constantly being added, shows no signs of slowing down.
However, for many Titanfall fans, this success came with a bittersweet realization. While Apex Legends kept the universe alive, it wasn’t the direct sequel they had been hoping for. The absence of Titans and core gameplay mechanics from Titanfall made it clear that Apex Legends was an entirely different experience. Over the years, Respawn has hinted at a potential return to the Titanfall series, but so far, the focus has remained squarely on Apex Legends.
Will Titanfall Ever Return?
The question on every fan’s mind is whether Titanfall 3 will ever see the light of day. While Respawn has kept the door open for a future installment, they’ve been clear that it’s not currently in development. The studio continues to pour resources into Apex Legends, expanding its universe and lore, and even bringing elements of Titanfall into the battle royale through new Legends and story events. Though there were mentions of a sequel and Vince Zampella himself the creator of the series was eager to share more about the future of Titanfall. in an IGN interview he talked about his love for the franchise but nothing more has been shared about it yet.
Though the wait for Titanfall 3 continues, fans can find solace in the fact that the Titanfall universe is still very much alive within Apex Legends. For now, Respawn seems committed to the battle royale format, but as the gaming industry is always evolving, there’s always hope that one day, the Titans may rise again.