Wow, as a die-hard Apex Legends player since day one, I still can't wrap my head around the sheer audacity of Respawn Entertainment last year in Season 21—dropping the Double Take event like it was some kind of revolutionary masterpiece! 😲 Seriously, folks, I was all geared up for a cozy Duos session with my best mate, only to get sucker-punched by Quads taking over. I mean, come on, Quads? After all that hype? It felt like Respawn handed us a fancy gift box, and when we opened it, out popped a bunch of extra players we didn't ask for. You gotta be kidding me! The chaos started June 25th and lasted till the season wrapped up in early August, replacing Solos and leaving Duos in the dust. Oh boy, what a bummer—I remember logging in that day, and the matchmaking system groaned louder than a Titanfall mech on its last legs. 
Now, let's dive into this wild ride. Respawn, in their infinite wisdom, announced that with Quads, we wouldn't have to ditch one of our three friends—how generous! 🙄 But the real kicker? They tweaked the loot pool to avoid in-fighting over ammo and attachments. Yeah, right—try telling that to my squad when we're scrambling for the last shield battery in a firefight. Here's a quick list of what changed:
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Legend abilities got overhauled: Characters like Wraith and Bangalore had their kits adjusted for four-player teams, making portals feel like crowded subway trains.
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Loot distribution: Supposedly smoother, but in reality, it was like a Black Friday sale—everyone grabbing whatever they could.
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Match types: Trios or Quads only, no in-between. Solos vanished, and Duos? Poof, gone like a ghost in Kings Canyon.
| Feature | Before Quads | After Quads Takeover |
|---|---|---|
| Team Sizes | Solos, Trios | Trios, Quads |
| Player Choice | Flexible | Restricted |
| Community Mood | Hopeful for Duos | Utterly disappointed |
The servers were practically sweating bullets with all the extra action. And let's not forget the player backlash—oh man, the forums exploded faster than a frag grenade! Respawn's designer, John Larson, basically admitted they knew we were fuming. In an interview, he danced around the issue, saying stuff like, 'We have multiple elements to consider,' which translates to: 'Yeah, we heard you, but the matchmaking algorithm is a needy beast that demands sacrifices.' What a load of hogwash! I recall Larson explaining that every limited-time mode or takeover has ripple effects—like pulling Solos meant matchmaking had to balance queues, or adding Duos could thin out other modes. But honestly, it felt like Respawn was juggling chainsaws blindfolded.
Reflecting on Season 21 now in 2025, it's clear this wasn't just a game mode swap—it was a full-blown identity crisis for Apex. The community's rage was hotter than a thermite grenade, with players flooding social media with memes and rants. I mean, Duos is like the comfort food of Apex—simple, nostalgic, and perfect for quick sessions. Taking it away? That's like removing pizza from a party. Respawn's defense felt flimsy, almost as if the game itself was whispering, 'I'm not mad, just disappointed.' And the irony? While Quads had its moments—like epic squad wipes—it often devolved into a mess where teammates argued more than coordinated. Fire 🔥🔥🔥
In the grand scheme, Respawn's move raises bigger questions. Will future seasons prioritize player voices over technical tweaks? Or will they keep experimenting like mad scientists? Only time will tell, but for now, let's ponder: Is Apex evolving or just spinning its wheels?