The current state of Overwatch 2 is less than ideal. While some changes in Season 5's update, such as adjusting one-shot kills for Hanzo and Widowmaker, have been well-received, the reintroduction of CC for Cassidy and Mei has posed a challenge for Tanks. Additionally, the lack of new content in Season 5 is disappointing, especially in light of recent news about PvE. Despite some improvements to Watchpoint Gibraltar and the On Fire system, and the introduction of event modes like Prop Hunt, there are no major additions to the game in this season. This is a departure from Blizzard's promise to release new maps and heroes with each season, and it's likely due to Season 6 being the biggest content drop in the game's history. As a result, the free goodies on the way feel more like an attempt to keep players engaged during a content drought, rather than a generous offering.
Overwatch 2’s Free Content is Great on Its Own
Overwatch 2 Season 5 is offering players a diverse range of free rewards, which is a positive change. The game had previously faced criticism for its lack of free unlockables, but Blizzard has been gradually improving this aspect. The seasonal events now provide better incentives such as skins, and the Season 5 freebies take it up a notch. Currently, players can earn Battle Pass XP by completing certain challenges, and upon completion, they will receive 1500 credits for free. This is adequate to purchase most Legendary skins from the hero gallery, giving players the freedom to choose any non-shop skin they desire. Additionally, players can obtain Sprinter Tracer and Sprinkles Mei for free from the item shop on June 20 and July 4 respectively, both of which are popular designs for Damage heroes. Furthermore, a Mercy-themed weapon charm will be available on June 27.
Players can look forward to a variety of free skin drops throughout the summer, including a beach-themed Tropical Doomfist for Summer Games 2023 and a gold and red recolor of Ana's Bastet outfit for the Magic and Mischief event, also known as Prop Hunt. In addition, Twitch Prime bundles for June and July will offer five Battle Pass tier skips and the Conductor Reinhardt skin, while Twitch Drops during those same months will provide four skins and an additional five tier skips. As if that weren't enough, August will bring a new set of cosmetics inspired by Sojourn and tied in with the release of Overwatch 2's animated short.
With Context, Overwatch 2’s Free Content Feels Less Like a Kind Gesture
While the content provided is undoubtedly impressive and deserves recognition, it's hard not to see it as a strategic move to divert attention away from the current state of Overwatch 2. This latest addition does bring the game closer to the original Overwatch in terms of offering free cosmetic rewards, but the timing of its release raises questions about its true purpose.
The absence of Hero mode, talent trees, and the need for Overwatch 2 players to pay for permanent story mission access have resulted in a boycott, with several notable content creators disengaging from the game. Season 5 appears to be less substantial compared to previous seasons, with the Questwatch Battle Pass and creator mode being the only available activities at launch. While Season 6 shows promise for Overwatch 2, the community's morale is presently at an all-time low due to the lack of playable content in Season 5. Despite the numerous freebies, it is difficult not to perceive them as a diversion from the PvE predicament and the dearth of Season 5 content. Overwatch 2 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
