Overwatch 2 Revolutionizes Ramattra's Villainy in the Best Possible Way

Highlights

Overwatch 2's PvE missions bring lore and character development, with Ramattra set to be a big focus as the story continues.

Ramattra's initial portrayal as a villain was arguably overly sympathetic, which made it challenging to rally against him. However, in Toronto, he crosses a line. The inclusion of Subjugators reveals Ramattra's mistreatment of his own people, hinting at a disturbing scenario where he coerces his fellow Omnics to battle on his behalf.

Overwatch 2's PvE missions have arrived, offering a delightful experience for co-op enthusiasts and lore aficionados. Despite lingering frustrations among Steam reviewers, the initial set of missions hint at a promising future for the game. Setting controversy and prolonged intervals between mission releases aside, these levels offer plenty to admire, especially in terms of character development.

Not only do the new Overwatch 2 missions shed light on lesser-known lore, such as Torbjorn's connection to Bastion, but they also allow for meaningful on-screen growth as the story advances. Invasion sets the stage for significant developments for Zenyatta and other members of Overwatch, as the team gradually expands. Nevertheless, it is Ramattra who appears most poised for transformation. With his somewhat sympathetic goals, it was essential for him to embrace the role of a genuine villain, which precisely unfolds in Invasion.

Overwatch 2’s Ramattra Going Too Far Was a Necessity

It was not surprising that many supported the rebel Ramattra when the truth of his origin story was revealed. The treatment of Omnics in the Overwatch universe has consistently been showcased as appalling, with humans being responsible for their mistreatment. However, fans only had a piece of the puzzle until Ramattra made his debut. While his belief in forcing humans to accept Omnic-kind is understandable, and even his use of violence can be justified, his actions in the Toronto mission demonstrate that he has gone too far.

In this cooperative mission in Overwatch 2, players are reunited with Sojourn, who is defending her hometown after the events of the “Calling” animated short. Upon entering the subway, players are forced to witness a shocking incident where an Omnic is seized by a machine known as a Subjugator. This new Omnic places a device on the civilian's head, rendering them completely immobile and essentially brain-dead.

After visiting Torbjorn, players discover that the Subjugated Omnics are not experiencing any pain. A more favorable interpretation suggests that Ramattra has devised a method to disable the Omnics who refuse to join his rebellion without causing them harm, essentially preserving their lives while he eliminates humans. Following the war, he could remove the devices and release them, bringing them into a promising new world where Omnics are considered equal to, or even superior than, humans. However, there is a more unsettling possibility to consider.

In the Invasion missions of Overwatch 2, Ramattra's plans for the dormant Omnics are not disclosed, but a short story centered around the Null Sector leader, titled "Ramattra: Reflections," may provide a clue about his ultimate goal. Ramattra suggests that any Omnic who disagrees with his methods or chooses not to join his cause should be compelled to do so by force. This understandably shocks his allies, who abandon him in disgust. While this speculation, it is possible that Ramattra has discovered a way to enslave rebellious Omnics, and the upcoming missions could potentially unveil his sinister endgame.

If Ramattra were only fighting against humans who mistreated his people, many players might not support the fight against him because Omnics have already suffered enough. However, by transforming Ramattra into a character who is willing to strip away the free will of his fellow Omnics - essentially turning them into the brainless machines that bigots perceive them as - he becomes a threat that must be defeated. This could also create compelling character moments in the future, with the possibility of Zenyatta reaching out to Ramattra and illustrating how far he has fallen. Following that, Ramattra could potentially seek redemption similar to Hanzo or the new Support hero Illari. Overall, Blizzard's inclusion of the Subjugators has made Ramattra an even more intricate antagonist, which is precisely what the story required to be effective.

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