Players have been clamoring for a sequel to theTitanfallfranchise ever sinceTitanfall 2was released in 2016. The game’s tight controls and compelling narrative made both its multiplayer and single-player modes respectively stand out from other first-person shooters. This isn’t to say anything about the fact thatTitanfallgames are among the few titles that let players control both giant mechs and their agile Pilots.
What the world got instead wasApex Legends- a first-person battle royale set years after the events ofTitanfall 2.Apex Legendshas since come into its own, with its massive player count owing to the game’s engaging combat and cast of characters - some of whom have ties to the cast ofTitanfall 2. Should Respawn Entertainment ever push through with anotherTitanfalltitle, it could look toward the franchise’s chronological past rather than its future.
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Viper Played A Small Part In Titanfall 2
Viper is a mercenary and one of the Apex Predators sent by Kuben Blisk to deal with Jack Cooper and his Titan, BT. As a Pilot himself, Viperdrives a modified Northstar-class Titanthat is capable of long-range precision attacks with its railgun and missile launchers as well as long bursts of flight. While in the Northstar cockpit, Viper made Jack and BT’s mission to retrieve the Ark power source from the IMC ship Draconis very difficult; with Viper going so far as to sever one of BT’s arms from his body.
Viper’s time in the spotlight was short-lived, however, as Jack and BT were able to defeat him in a close-range battle. BT shot off the Northstar’s Pilot hatch, whereuponJack finished Viper off with his gun. Viper and his Northstar’s final act of defiance was to shoot a volley of missiles at the Draconis, causing the ship to go down and give them a Viking funeral.
Valkyrie Gives More Insight Into Viper’s Life
While Viper’s story ends inTitanfall 2, his daughter’s does not. Kairi Imahara joined the Apex Games after she completed a smuggling job for Kuben Blisk. The task was to retrieve Viper’s Northstar Titan as well as her father’s dead body. Kairi laid her father to rest and had her fellow Apex Legend Rampart repurpose the Titan into a heavily-modified jetpack. With it, Kairi (now going under the callsign “Valkyrie”) canfly short distances with her VTOL Jetsand shoot missiles just like her father’s Northstar once did. Viper may have died but his legacy lives on.
There Is Still A Lot About Viper Players Don’t Know About
Apex Legendsmay be content with closing Viper’s story but aTitanfallprequel could help flesh out the character more. Should it be set beforeTitanfall 2, players would be able to see how Viper became a Pilot and ended up joiningthe Apex Predatorsalongside Ash, Slone, Richter, Kane, and Blisk. Those that love seeing the bond between a Titan and its Pilot could also be treated to Viper’s first meeting with his Northstar. Considering how costly and difficult it is to produce a Titan, it is likely Viper hijacked his for personal use rather than built one himself.
Aside from work, aTitanfallprequel could also delve into Viper’s relationship with his family. Seeing how he met his wife and raised his daughter Kairi would be a nice change of pace from all the mercenary work he does and give him more depth as a character. This aspect of Viper’s life was briefly touched upon in theApex LegendsStories From The Outlands short “Northstar”, where Viper indulges Kairi in a Titan joyride.
WhileApex Legendsmoves theTitanfallmythos forward, theTitanfallprequel could flesh out its past. Viper’s work as a mercenary would satisfyTitanfallfans while the moments with his wife and Kairi would makeApex Legendsfans not feel left out.Should Respawn Entertainment go with the prequel route, the studio could make a great campaign that reintroduces old characters as well as new ones.
Titanfall 2is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
