The Fatal Flaw in Overwatch 2's PvE Story Mode

The Xbox Games Showcase of 2023 shone a spotlight on various upcoming titles, including Clockwork Revolution and Starfield, while also featuring third-party content, such as a trailer for Overwatch 2: Invasion. The highly-anticipated Overwatch 2 Season 6 update will bring a host of new features, including a fresh PvP game mode called Flashpoint, a Firing Range, a new map, and an additional hero. However, the most exciting aspect of this update is undoubtedly the PvE story missions, which represent the remaining portion of the once-grand PvE content plan for Overwatch 2. These story missions are poised to propel the Overwatch universe forward through character interactions, cinematics, and lore additions. From what we've seen in the trailer, the missions look promising and are sure to deliver strong storytelling alongside thrilling battles against various new Omnic types. Nonetheless, Blizzard must ensure that these missions remain a permanent and integral part of the game.

Overwatch 2’s Story Missions Should Never Be Removed From the Game

Although Overwatch 2 initially aimed to emulate Diablo 4's endless replayability with Talent Trees and the Hero Mode complete with side missions, these features were ultimately scrapped due to lack of resources. This resulted in the removal of co-op content that could have kept players engaged beyond the completion of the story content. While story missions may be less replayable, they should not be eliminated at the end of a season.

Blizzard could consider taking a cue from Destiny 2's content vault, which has been met with mixed reviews. Instead of removing PvE missions altogether, Blizzard could treat them as seasonal content and release new batches of co-op missions with each passing season. This approach would build anticipation for the missions' return rather than retiring them permanently. However, this formula should not be applied to the new story missions, as they aim to tell a cohesive narrative.

It is important for Blizzard to keep the story content tied to each season in Overwatch 2, and to add a new section to the game's menu for all co-op content. Unlike Call of Duty games, Overwatch 2 does not have an excessive file size, so there is no need to remove PvE story missions and treat them as a limited-time attraction. Instead, Blizzard should focus on expanding the roster of story missions over time, rather than cycling PvE content in and out.

Removing PvE story missions would also limit the ability of new players to catch up on any missed content from previous Overwatch 2 seasons. As a free-to-play title, Overwatch 2 will constantly attract new players, and it is important to give them the opportunity to fully engage with the franchise's narrative. If any PvE content needs to be timed, it should be event modes with limited story, like the King's Row mission in Season 6. However, even those missions should remain permanent, providing players with a wider range of PvE gameplay to enjoy.

It is important for Blizzard to clarify their plans for handling PvE content in Overwatch 2: Invasion. Limiting story missions to a specific time frame would not be a wise decision. While releasing co-op levels in batches on a consistent basis could be effective, it would be disappointing to see them disappear after just a few months. Even without extra features like talent trees and side missions, some players will want to replay the story and guide their friends through the missions. To accommodate these gamers, every story mission added to Overwatch 2 should be a permanent addition, ensuring that players can revisit the content whenever they choose. Overwatch 2 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.