I'm sure this is the same as many others, but this is my 2p.
As someone who loved Squad DM, I really like how audio cues are really important. Footsteps, predicting paths, pre-firing corners etc. I also really like how invaluable spawn beacons become. Tactically very fun.
I find the incentives for squad play still as poor as ever, and your group often does not stick together. There aren't enough lanes for flanking after being spawn trapped. locking flag spawns isn't a strong enough handicap, it needs to be prevent squad and beacon spawns too. The key UI being in the top right is too subtle for communicating critical changes like spawn locking. This is a broader problem for any Portal mode, and messaging needs to have more options for obviousness.
I like the cosmetics for an additional incentive to play a mode, but I personally don't like the aesthetic. I also find the lore about the event too weak. Either don't bother explaining it, or go further and tie it into an ongoing narrative.
Lastly, I do like the variation. This feels like a new spin on portal mode rotations, and I'd like to see more of these events. I've played it enough to unlock all the available things.
