Players have been clamoring for a sequel to the Titanfall franchise ever since Titanfall 2 was 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 that Titanfall games are among the few titles that let players control both giant mechs and their agile Pilots.
What the world got instead was Apex Legends - a first-person battle royale set years after the events of Titanfall 2. Apex Legends has 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 of Titanfall 2. Should Respawn Entertainment ever push through with another Titanfall title, it could look toward the franchise's chronological past rather than its future.
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, Viper drives a modified Northstar-class Titan that 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, whereupon Jack 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 in Titanfall 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") can fly short distances with her VTOL Jets and 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 Legends may be content with closing Viper's story but a Titanfall prequel could help flesh out the character more. Should it be set before Titanfall 2, players would be able to see how Viper became a Pilot and ended up joining the Apex Predators alongside 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, a Titanfall prequel 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 the Apex Legends Stories From The Outlands short "Northstar", where Viper indulges Kairi in a Titan joyride.
While Apex Legends moves the Titanfall mythos forward, the Titanfall prequel could flesh out its past. Viper's work as a mercenary would satisfyTitanfall fans while the moments with his wife and Kairi would make Apex Legends fans 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 2 is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
