I don't think I've ever been so happy to be seen as I am meeting Catalyst, the next character joining Apex Legends' expansive roster of diverse and queer characters. Respawn has always stood a cut above the rest when it comes to representation, and Catalyst is a big step forward for the still-minuscule pool of playable trans characters in mainstream games.
The Stories from the Outlands trailer, which gives us our first glimpse of Catalyst, begins with the character sharing her past with fellow legend Rampart, focusing on the planet Boreas and its moon, Cleo. After meeting a younger Catalyst and her lunar coven, we get to hear her talk plainly about her transition during a tender moment with her friend Margo, making her status as a trans woman definitive for all to see. The trailer ends with an eco-terrorism plot against Hammond Robotics, likely leading her to the Apex Games soon after.
Honestly, this hits every beat for me on exceptional representation; her goth witch aesthetic, almost-magical abilities, and amazing voice direction (by an actual trans voice actor, no less) make Catalyst a fantastic addition to a roster already brimming with colourful, standout characters. It's rare for me to see a character - let alone a trans one - that I feel represents me and what I enjoy, but this is partially due to a lack of attempts at all.
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