The One Missing Element That Would Make Overwatch 2's Prop Hunt Absolutely Epic

Highlights

Prop hunt has become a popular game mode in FPS franchises like Call of Duty and Fortnite, and now Overwatch 2 is joining in with its Mischief and Magic limited-time game mode.

The lack of map variety in the Mischief and Magic prop hunt mode in Overwatch 2 hampers optimal engagement and allows players to easily memorize hiding spots. This puts the hiders at a significant disadvantage as hunters can quickly learn all the props and potential hiding spots with only a few matches.

Hide and Seek, a popular children's game, has been incorporated into flagship FPS franchises by developers, keeping it fresh and exciting. Prop hunts, which were first introduced in Counter-Strike: Source in 2012, have become a classic game mode. Games like Call of Duty and Fortnite have also embraced this concept to enhance the gameplay experience. Now, Overwatch 2 has joined this trend with its limited-time game mode, Mischief and Magic, where players can transform into objects within the game's environment to hide. As prop hunts gain popularity in the gaming world, Blizzard is catching up and aiming to make Overwatch 2's rendition truly exceptional.

The appeal of prop hunts is clear, as more gamers and spectators are drawn to the excitement of hunting down hidden players or finding the best hiding spots to elude others. Overwatch 2's implementation of this gameplay feature is well-timed. However, the Mischief and Magic prop hunt mode lacks variety in terms of maps, and Blizzard needs to create additional maps to maximize fan engagement.

Blizzard Needs to Give Mischief and Magic More Maps

In Overwatch 2, the Mischief and Magic game mode divides players into two teams of 5 - the Royal Guard Genji and the Kiriko. The objective for the Genji players is to track down the Kiriko players, who can transform into different objects within the Blizzard World map. Each round of Mischief and Magic lasts for two minutes, and this version of prop hunt is slightly more forgiving, as Genji players face no penalty for slashing suspicious objects in their search for the Kiriko members.

In Overwatch 2, Kiriko players have the ability to taunt Genji hunters through microphone audio at specific intervals, similar to the whistles in Call of Duty, but with intentionally agitating phrases. These sounds serve as indicators for the Genji players, helping them locate the hiding Kiriko players. Choosing an inconspicuous hiding spot is crucial for survival in the Mischief and Magic mode. Unlike other prop hunts where props have a health bar, in this mode, Kiriko players can be eliminated with just one hit, making the stakes even higher. In order to balance Genji's advantages, Blizzard has restricted the use of shurikens in the prop hunt mode.

The Kirikos possess various defense mechanisms to increase their chances of survival. They have the ability to double jump, scale walls, and transform into different objects if their current prop is at risk of being discovered. In addition to these abilities, Kirikos can stun their pursuers with flashbangs, momentarily disabling their audio taunts and providing players with time to relocate their props. Furthermore, Kiriko players can launch surprise melee attacks against Genji, and a coordinated team of Kirikos can overpower their hunters.

However, the presence of only one map for prop hunts in Mischief and Magic limits the wow factor of the game. With limited options for placing props, players can quickly learn the typical hiding spots of Kirikos after a few rounds. To enhance the enjoyment of prop hunts, a variety of maps is crucial. This is evident in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, which offers an astonishing 15 maps for prop hunts. The inclusion of multiple maps reduces the likelihood of players memorizing hiding places. In Overwatch 2, this change in dynamics will give the Kiriko a stronger chance of success.

Overwatch 2 is available now for the Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.