It’s that time of the year again where only the best predators compete to be crowned top of the food chain. To match, Respawn have designed a series of skins derived from the more natural kinds of Predators. By purchasing these skins, players will be adding to the prize fund which has nearly doubled the original money awarded by Respawn. This is certainly addressing the issues with Respawn’s less generous winners’ earnings of the past but does a game backed by a huge company like EA really need what is effectively crowd funding for it’s competitive scene? Either way these are some decent skins in some decent bundles. But which skin is the predator that will prey on the rest?
Octane Wild Speed 4/5
As usual a really strong Octane skin teased from the season 9 trailers. Could there be a better match for him than a cheetah? This is giving sporty speedcat with the streamlined form fitting bodysuit up to the upturned collar. Yellow isn’t often used on Octane so this sparing yet bold usage on the helmet and across the skin is certainly striking. The mask is the big attention grabber. The anime eyes have returned from season 7 in the goggles and the helmet is almost like a Power Rangers helmet with the animal represented through the colour and animal features. The big ears are stylish over silly and the leopard spots are in a sort of gradient that gives that extra detail across the skin. This is an absolute serve once again from Octane and great for showcasing some rawr talent.
Caustic Silverback 3/5
With this heavily fortified armour someone isn’t monkeying around! The animal reference and relevance to Caustic are a bit of a stretch but at least it’s something pretty new for him. The bulky arms, fully protected head and apparatus across the chest portray his fortified ability while staying true to his original silhouette. It’s a little like a cybernetically enhanced creature with the head similar to that of an ape but the metal elements representing a creepy transfiguration with a lot of that natural soul gone. It’s simple but practical with enough of a theme to work. There’s been a lot of gold in this game recently and here Caustic’s bringing Silverback.
Pathfinder Mechamelon 4/5
A chameleon from outer space in an alternate reality has come to the Apex Games. A tropical colour palette and a unique head shape immediately set the tone for something alien to Pathfinder’s portfolio. The body looks like it hasn’t changed much at first inspection, but at a closer look opponents may find they shouldn’t be aiming up top for a headshot but instead at the centre, just below the chest panel. The little touches in the knee pads, clawed feet and dotted gradients really show the thought put into this. It ends up being creepy and not the traditional or expected kind of predator. Keep an eye out or you might miss it!
Fuse Boared to Death 3/5
Though not an actual animal, this skin represents the ultimate predator; man. Cool take but really? There’s not exactly a limit of animals in the wilderness for a fourth cool skin in this collection. Either way this skin is fine. It’s typical hunter without being too costumey. The individual pieces as in the chaps, straps and cowboy hat and those all being different coloured leather put this in a time and a place. The face and makeup is a departure with this huge beard though it looks a little too well maintained for the impression this is going for. The rhino head on the shoulder is interesting especially in it’s metal. It’s a good skin but it pales in comparison to some of the others this time around. It’s actually similar to Mirage’s Edition skin. Mirage was giving futuristic cowboy but Fuse is giving more traditional hunter which highlights their rivalry. Unfortunately for Fuse, Mirage has left him in the past and it’s doubtful that anyone will stampede for this skin.
As a short shop event, this is a pretty good one! Some decent variety and pretty well thought out with a decent reason to buy too! Let me know any skins that you’re planning to buy, or that you’re ripping through the competition with!
