Overwatch 2 is finally here. With a bumpy road to release and some troubling development decisions, it makes sense for players to be skeptical of the newest Blizzard title. But after playing Overwatch 2, it is evident that Blizzard Entertainment has done what it does best with the Overwatch franchise and made a solid multiplayer shooter with plenty of fun to be had.
But in the context ofOverwatch 2being a sequel to an already popular multiplayer experience, there isn’t much meat on its bones at launch. This may be troubling news for players hoping to dive into a whole new game, but there is a lot in store for the future of Overwatch 2. With the Story Mode releasing in 2023 and a new, season-based format being introduced as well, it is likely that players will have plenty of fresh experiences with the game in the coming months.
New Additions
To touch on the most noticeable difference between Overwatch and Overwatch 2, the new character and map additions are most welcome and truly fit the feel of the first Overwatch. Heroes Kiriko (Support), Junker Queen (Tank), and Sojourn (Damage) all feel like substantial additions to the already iconic roster. The Colosseo, Midtown, and Paraiso showcase Blizzard’s ability to make top-tier, balanced maps that allow players of any class to excel in a tense fight.
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Gameplay
There have also been a lot of small tweaks and reworks that make Overwatch 2 much more balanced than the original, though it is still not perfect. The new 5v5 game mode makes the combat more role-based. Having one less slot to fill with a tank, healer, or assault character means that players are more beholden to their chosen character’s class. This is good news for players who like to take a more active role in objective-based gameplay, but it could be a downside for players who tend to take more of a backseat.
Dialogue & World-Building
Battle Pass: A Note to the Reader
The most prominent feature of Overwatch 2 that wasn’t mentioned in this review is the Battle Pass. There are a lot of opinions surrounding Overwatch 2’s handling of a free-to-play model and the new Battle Pass implementation, and while they both have a heavy impact on a player’s enjoyment, they don’t impact the game or its gameplay aside from the unlockable characters in the Battle Pass.
It is hard to say how well, or poorly, the Battle Pass will be introduced into Overwatch’s core mechanics until the game fully releases and players have the chance to dive into what the pass has in store. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that Overwatch 2 is a live-service game and will be changed continuously over its lifespan.
Verdict - It’s fun, and the shortcomings should be relieved in time
Overwatch 2 is an exceptional game. While it may not raise the bar much higher than its predecessor did back in 2016, its core mechanics stay true to the original—and that’s not a bad thing. The original Overwatch revolutionized the multiplayer shooter genre, so it would inevitably be a tough act to follow. Players who enjoyed Overwatch will enjoy Overwatch 2, and fans of the series have a lot to look forward to with future seasons and updates to the game, especially once the Story Mode is released.
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