Overwatch 2: A Game Evolving and Thriving One Year Later

Highlights

Overwatch 2 had a rough launch with bugs and server issues, and the cancellation of PvE eventually caused an onslaught of negative reviews.

The game is gradually getting better but still has a sense of incompleteness, with unfinished story content, a limited number of hero missions, and a lack of maps for certain game modes. However, Blizzard has shown progress by addressing critiques, introducing more equitable cosmetic systems, reintroducing missed features, and reviving seasonal events. Hopefully, regular content updates and balancing adjustments will become the standard in the future.

After earning numerous game of the year awards and establishing itself as a pioneer in the hero shooter genre, Overwatch's highly anticipated sequel had big shoes to fill. The initial reveal seemed promising, with the promise of a rich and highly replayable PvE experience alongside significant updates for the acclaimed multiplayer. However, the launch of Overwatch 2 on October 4, 2022, fell short of expectations. Despite achieving impressive player milestones during its early access phase, the game was met with an alarming amount of negativity.

Since its launch, Overwatch 2 has experienced its fair share of highs and lows. While the initial day one bugs and server issues have been resolved, the cancellation of the PvE component was a devastating blow that temporarily made the game one of the worst-reviewed titles on Steam. The implementation of expensive cosmetics has sparked endless controversy, and the balancing choices have left tank players feeling incredibly frustrated. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge both the positives and negatives. Reflecting on Overwatch 2's one-year anniversary, players will discover a game that is gradually moving in the right direction.

Overwatch 2 Is In a Much Better Place, But Still Feels Unfinished

Overwatch 2's release from early access in Season 6 did not fully address the incomplete aspects of the game. One glaring issue is the underdeveloped PvE mode, which lacks important features like Hero Mode and Talent Trees. The game now delivers its story through a live service model, where story missions are released gradually over seasons. This means that it may take several years for the story mode to be completed, leaving players with a sense of incompleteness and long waits between mission sets. Unfortunately, Seasons 7 and 8 have already been confirmed to not include any story missions, disappointing fans of the game's lore.

Another aspect of incomplete content in Overwatch 2 is the newly introduced Hero Mastery missions. While it is commendable that Blizzard has provided players with obstacle courses to engage in between matches, along with additional cosmetics to work for, the limited number of available Mastery missions upon the mode's debut was surprising. Only a few heroes, namely Tracer, Reinhardt, and Mercy, were included out of a roster of 30+ characters. This indicates that the Mastery Mode has a significant amount of work remaining to fully represent the entire hero lineup. Although Sojourn and Winston have since been added, it could still be a long wait until all heroes are represented in this mode.

Unfortunately, even Overwatch 2's PvP, which is a crucial aspect of the game, is also impacted by this issue. The game modes Push and Flashpoint were received relatively well, especially after some adjustments were made to Push. However, both modes suffer from a limited number of maps. This is understandable considering the size of Flashpoint's locations, as developing each map likely takes a significant amount of time. Nonetheless, it would be beneficial for Flashpoint to eventually introduce another location, and Push is in dire need of more than just the three existing play spaces. While it is enjoyable to see new Control maps like Samoa, the game already has an abundance of Control content. Leveling the playing field and expanding on the newer modes would greatly enhance their integration into the game.

Despite issues like delayed PvE updates and neglect towards certain game modes, Blizzard has taken considerable steps to address the major criticisms of Overwatch 2. Players can now use earned credits to purchase hero gallery skins, and the Overwatch 2 Anniversary shop ensures that they will eventually have access to certain shop skins without having to spend real money. The cosmetic system has become fairer, allowing players to unlock outfits through consistent gameplay. Missed features like On Fire have been reinstated, and controversial aspects such as map rotation have been eliminated. Seasonal events have been revitalized with new game modes, avoiding the monotonous events of the original game. Additionally, a comprehensive progression system rewards players for their loyalty to their favorite heroes.

Unfortunately, Overwatch 2 launched in a troubled state, and its PvE mode may have damaged the franchise's reputation irreparably. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the progress that has been made so far, just as fans should also highlight the areas where Blizzard still needs improvement. Although the developer appears to be responsive, evident in their plans for reworks on Roadhog and Sombra, a live service model should result in more frequent content releases and balancing updates compared to what players have experienced thus far. Hopefully, Blizzard will find its rhythm soon. The first year of Overwatch 2's existence brought about significant changes and additions, although some of them were delayed unreasonably. Ideally, by this time next year, Overwatch 2 will have fully realized its potential.

Overwatch 2 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.