https://stayclose.social/LacyO21885312705/ Latest updates from Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5975/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/ Square Enix revealed the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion during a livestream event yesterday. Called Endwalker , the expansion is set to conclude the current storyline and move the MMO into the next


The most exciting part of Sojourn is definitely the rare bits and pieces of gameplay that players were able to see during Blizzard's twenty-minute Overwatch 2 clip at BlizzConline 2021 . In this clip, a lot of new features and changes were teased for the upcoming game, but most importantly, the new maps, PvE missions, and Sojourn made an appearance as w


Sojourn is a decorated Overwatch member, as a result of her involvement in a ton of missions. She led a strike team against Talon forces without mercy and participated in the Storm Rising archives mission by acting as the guiding force for the team itself. It seems like she might be taking on Ana Amari's old role as a commanding member in the fact


Here at TheGamer, we've been celebrating Mass Effect all week with tons of exclusive interviews with the cast , a preview of the Legendary Edition , and tons of behind-the-scenes info about the making of the trilogy . Check out our Mass Effect page to catch up on all the awesome stories and details about the ser


Sojourn has been said to be one of the primary characters in Overwatch 2. Everything is likely to revolve around her, which is a nice change of pace from having Tracer as the continuous poster girl of the franchise. Hopefully, fans will get to see different characters increasingly take center stage in Overwatch 2, like Sojo


Yet despite its defensive-focused design, the layout, which yields multiple paths and areas to flank, makes attacking more-than-doable for sharp teams. The fun Warcraft- esque themes throughout, coupled with the variance of areas and overall detail make Eichenwalde an optimal choice to revisit for Overwatch


So many people are focusing on what the story might be, or how a campaign might look based on the tidbits of lore we’ve garnered from short films and comics. I’d like to learn more about Reinhardt, sure, but that’s not what Overwatch 2 needs to be. It needs a refined combat loop that offers you the same thrills of Competitive play, but in co-op


If you’re not intimately familiar with Overwatch, it might be hard to tell Overwatch 2 is even a different game. It has a few new characters and some new maps, a new game mode called Push, plus some subtle character redesigns, but it's largely the same game it's always been. But if you’ve been an active Overwatch player, a lot of the subtle changes have actually made a pretty big differe


Being an Assault map, Hanamura comes with a design that ultimately favors the team on defense, and to a pretty significant degree. You might find your teammates rage quitting in record numbers after the 8th failed attempt to mount a successful assault on click through the up coming website secluded Dojo. That's because it's just not easy to capture, especially considering the enemy spawns are ridiculously close to the point B area that needs to be defen


What Overwatch really needed was the same thing that every live-service game needs: content. While development of Overwatch 2 caused a lengthy drought in the original, Overwatch wasn’t exactly on par with the rest of the live service game market either. A new hero every few months and a rehashed holiday event just weren’t cutting it. There’s a lot of people moaning about the new seasonal model in Overwatch 2, but if they were being honest, most of them would admit Overwatch wasn’t holding their attention. The luster fell off Overwatch after a couple of years, and the quarterly cadence of a new hero or map was not going to keep Overwatch al


But in online play - specifically, PvP - this isn’t how it works. Unless you’ve got a full six-stack made up of you and your friends, chances are people won’t care much about cooperating. And so, that entire aspect of Overwatch that I love - knowing my main inside out and fulfilling my role in tandem with the characters I’m surrounded by - dissipates into thin


Fans who favor snipe-happy heroes such as Widowmaker might cry foul here. Yet, the more grounded, less mobile majority that includes Moira, Reinhardt, and Zenyatta (to name a few) tend to have a rough time with this expansive, open-ended map. The towering high ledges and open areas make it tough to mount successful defensives—or to navigate with much efficiency at a


After five years of trying, Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment has finally secured a patent for the Nemesis System . Created for Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the Nemesis System has been hailed as one of the greatest innovations in gaming over the last decade. Unfortunately, WB's patent means the chances we'll get to see the system grow and flourish are relatively s


Losing a tank opened the door for major, much needed reworks to a lot of heroes. Tanks like Reinhardt and Orisa now have more utility and survivability since they have to tank for the entire team, while shield breakers like Bastion get to take a step back and fill a different role. I’m not suggesting that every character is perfectly balanced now, but I see so many improvements already. It’s hard not to be excited about the new Overwatch meta. A shakeup like this was never going to happen without a title cha
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5975/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:24:26 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5974/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/ Square Enix revealed the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion during a livestream event yesterday. Called Endwalker , the expansion is set to conclude the current storyline and move the MMO into the next


The most exciting part of Sojourn is definitely the rare bits and pieces of gameplay that players were able to see during Blizzard's twenty-minute Overwatch 2 clip at BlizzConline 2021 . In this clip, a lot of new features and changes were teased for the upcoming game, but most importantly, the new maps, PvE missions, and Sojourn made an appearance as w


Sojourn is a decorated Overwatch member, as a result of her involvement in a ton of missions. She led a strike team against Talon forces without mercy and participated in the Storm Rising archives mission by acting as the guiding force for the team itself. It seems like she might be taking on Ana Amari's old role as a commanding member in the fact


Here at TheGamer, we've been celebrating Mass Effect all week with tons of exclusive interviews with the cast , a preview of the Legendary Edition , and tons of behind-the-scenes info about the making of the trilogy . Check out our Mass Effect page to catch up on all the awesome stories and details about the ser


Sojourn has been said to be one of the primary characters in Overwatch 2. Everything is likely to revolve around her, which is a nice change of pace from having Tracer as the continuous poster girl of the franchise. Hopefully, fans will get to see different characters increasingly take center stage in Overwatch 2, like Sojo


Yet despite its defensive-focused design, the layout, which yields multiple paths and areas to flank, makes attacking more-than-doable for sharp teams. The fun Warcraft- esque themes throughout, coupled with the variance of areas and overall detail make Eichenwalde an optimal choice to revisit for Overwatch


So many people are focusing on what click through the up coming website story might be, or how a campaign might look based on the tidbits of lore we’ve garnered from short films and comics. I’d like to learn more about Reinhardt, sure, but that’s not what Overwatch 2 needs to be. It needs a refined combat loop that offers you the same thrills of Competitive play, but in co-op


If you’re not intimately familiar with Overwatch, it might be hard to tell Overwatch 2 is even a different game. It has a few new characters and some new maps, a new game mode called Push, plus some subtle character redesigns, but it's largely the same game it's always been. But if you’ve been an active Overwatch player, a lot of the subtle changes have actually made a pretty big differe


Being an Assault map, Hanamura comes with a design that ultimately favors the team on defense, and to a pretty significant degree. You might find your teammates rage quitting in record numbers after the 8th failed attempt to mount a successful assault on the secluded Dojo. That's because it's just not easy to capture, especially considering the enemy spawns are ridiculously close to the point B area that needs to be defen


What Overwatch really needed was the same thing that every live-service game needs: content. While development of Overwatch 2 caused a lengthy drought in the original, Overwatch wasn’t exactly on par with the rest of the live service game market either. A new hero every few months and a rehashed holiday event just weren’t cutting it. There’s a lot of people moaning about the new seasonal model in Overwatch 2, but if they were being honest, most of them would admit Overwatch wasn’t holding their attention. The luster fell off Overwatch after a couple of years, and the quarterly cadence of a new hero or map was not going to keep Overwatch al


But in online play - specifically, PvP - this isn’t how it works. Unless you’ve got a full six-stack made up of you and your friends, chances are people won’t care much about cooperating. And so, that entire aspect of Overwatch that I love - knowing my main inside out and fulfilling my role in tandem with the characters I’m surrounded by - dissipates into thin


Fans who favor snipe-happy heroes such as Widowmaker might cry foul here. Yet, the more grounded, less mobile majority that includes Moira, Reinhardt, and Zenyatta (to name a few) tend to have a rough time with this expansive, open-ended map. The towering high ledges and open areas make it tough to mount successful defensives—or to navigate with much efficiency at a


After five years of trying, Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment has finally secured a patent for the Nemesis System . Created for Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the Nemesis System has been hailed as one of the greatest innovations in gaming over the last decade. Unfortunately, WB's patent means the chances we'll get to see the system grow and flourish are relatively s


Losing a tank opened the door for major, much needed reworks to a lot of heroes. Tanks like Reinhardt and Orisa now have more utility and survivability since they have to tank for the entire team, while shield breakers like Bastion get to take a step back and fill a different role. I’m not suggesting that every character is perfectly balanced now, but I see so many improvements already. It’s hard not to be excited about the new Overwatch meta. A shakeup like this was never going to happen without a title cha
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5974/why-im-hopeful-for-overwatch-2-despite-everything/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:24:21 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5971/overwatch-2-5-things-were-excited-to-see-5-things-the-game-still-needs/ The wait for Overwatch 2 has been characterized by many fans as excruciating. Due to a huge drought of content for what has felt like an eternity, it's no wonder that the small morsels of information that Blizzard has provided are treated like nuggets of gold. In Blizzcon of 2021, a lot of good things were showcased for the Overwatch franch


There's not a lot of information about the exact hierarchy of Overwatch, but what's known is that Jack Morrison is a Strike Commander and Ana Amari is a Captain in the faction. Other heroes seem to be operatives of various kinds, and some heroes in the game don't even belong to a specific faction as they are with Talon inst

Despite locking certain modes away until new players have earned them, actually selecting what you want to play and jumping into a game is seamless. Much like the title screen, not much here has changed when compared to the first entry. Things are simple and easy to read, while updating character designs have been thrown onto each icon and pop with real visual flair. With any luck, PvE will be an option on this menu in just a few short months.

Toronto is also unique as a map because it introduces a brand-new game mode known as Push. It involves the team escorting a robot across the map, and the winning team is the one who manages to escort it to the opposition's s

Although Reyes was given command of Overwatch, it isJack Morrison who is mostly credited with transforming the unit into a devastating fighting force. He trained the other founding members Ana Amari, Mina Liao, Torbjorn Lindholm, and Reinhardt Wilheim to work together as a team and led the strike team against the Omnics. The team destroyed the main Omnic control center in Rio de Janeiro and successfully put an end to the Omnic Cri


One element that Overwatch 2 will seemingly have in spades is an abundance of cooperative missions and full-fledged hero missions. Not only will we get to play with newly introduced upgrades, but we'll get to live out cinematic stories that play an important part in the already rich, expansive lore of Overwatch . These will take place following Winston's call to reunite the Overwatch t


Given Blizzard's history with level editors in the past, it would make sense to see some sort of level creation tool for Overwatch 2 introduced. Of course, it'd be tough to flesh out the details with all of the assets and intricacies involved in building a functional 3D space, but surely some sort of basic toolkit to create smaller battle arenas could be implemen


During the Archive or Halloween events, Overwatch has four player modes that resemble Left 4 Dead more than your average competitive shooter. If Overwatch 2 wants to integrate their story into the game, having a mode where you can play through a whole campaign with three other friends would be a welcome addit


The golden age of peace began to quickly erode following the disbandment of Overwatch. Tensions between humans and the surviving Omnics continued to rise, and the terrorist group Talon was growing in strength. Talon operatives attempted to raid an abandoned Watchpoint but were stopped by Winston, a genetically-enhanced gorilla. Winston initiated an agent recall, and started reforming overwatch 2 Season 12 with Tracer and


While this is all well and good for Overwatch 2 , what becomes of the overall hero shooter genre? Right now the core three are Overwatch , the ancient Team Fortress 2 , and Apex Legends - which is more of a battle royale, really, but technically counts. Apex actually may be the best example of how this genre will evo


During Blizzcon of 2019, the Overwatch 2 announcement trailer features a clip of Paris being attacked by Null Sector's forces. This attack is presumably the beginning of the story of Overwatch 2, where the heroes once more come together to defend the world from the forces of Talon and Null Sect


One of the neatest inclusions of Overwatch 2 has to be the new upgrades and customizations to hero abilities. Now, this will - at least initially - be limited to the PvE missions, as they would grant an unfair advantage over Overwatch 1 players. Still, it'll certainly be neat to take out hordes of Omnics with powers like Tracer's new juiced-up Pulse Bomb Ultimate, "Chain Reacti


Following the successful takedown of the Omnic forces, Adawe chose to promote Morrison to the strike-commander position over Reyes, despite Reyes being the one who ultimately led Overwatch in disabling the Omnic base. A period of extended peace swept the world, and Overwatch helped usher in an era of space exploration, medical research, innovation, and discov

One of the most anticipated features has to be Sojourn, a brand-new hero coming to Overwatch 2. She's extremely unique when it comes to her weapon and combat style, and since fans have seen her in several comics and Archives missions, it's only natural that she's the first new hero to be announced for Blizzard's upcoming sequel. Here's what's known about Sojourn so far, as of May 2
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5971/overwatch-2-5-things-were-excited-to-see-5-things-the-game-still-needs/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:12:53 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5970/overwatch-2-5-things-were-excited-to-see-5-things-the-game-still-needs/ The wait for Overwatch 2 has been characterized by many fans as excruciating. Due to a huge drought of content for what has felt like an eternity, it's no wonder that the small morsels of information that Blizzard has provided are treated like nuggets of gold. In Blizzcon of 2021, a lot of good things were showcased for the Overwatch franch


There's not a lot of information about the exact hierarchy of Overwatch, but what's known is that Jack Morrison is a Strike Commander and Ana Amari is a Captain in the faction. Other heroes seem to be operatives of various kinds, and some heroes in the game don't even belong to a specific faction as they are with Talon inst

Despite locking certain modes away until new players have earned them, actually selecting what you want to play and jumping into a game is seamless. Much like the title screen, not much here has changed when compared to the first entry. Things are simple and easy to read, while updating character designs have been thrown onto each icon and pop with real visual flair. With any luck, PvE will be an option on this menu in just a few short months.


Toronto is also unique as a map because it introduces a brand-new game mode known as Push. It involves the team escorting a robot across the map, and the winning team is the one who manages to escort it to the opposition's s


Although Reyes was given command of Overwatch, it isJack Morrison who is mostly credited with transforming the unit into a devastating fighting force. He trained the other founding members Ana Amari, Mina Liao, Torbjorn Lindholm, and Reinhardt Wilheim to work together as a team and led the strike team against the Omnics. The team destroyed the main Omnic control center in Rio de Janeiro and successfully put an end to the Omnic Cri


One element that Overwatch 2 will seemingly have in spades is an abundance of cooperative missions and full-fledged hero missions. Not only will we get to play with newly introduced upgrades, but we'll get to live out cinematic stories that play an important part in the already rich, expansive lore of Overwatch . These will take place following Winston's call to reunite the Overwatch t


Given Blizzard's history with level editors in the past, it would make sense to see some sort of level creation tool for Overwatch 2 introduced. Of course, it'd be tough to flesh out the details with all of the assets and intricacies involved in building a functional 3D space, but surely some sort of basic toolkit to create smaller battle arenas could be implemen


During the Archive or Halloween events, Overwatch has four player modes that resemble Left 4 Dead more than your average competitive shooter. If Overwatch 2 wants to integrate their story into the game, having a mode where you can play through a whole campaign with three other friends would be a welcome addit


The golden age of peace began to quickly erode following the disbandment of Overwatch. Tensions between humans and the surviving Omnics continued to rise, and the terrorist group Talon was growing in strength. Talon operatives attempted to raid an abandoned Watchpoint but were stopped by Winston, a genetically-enhanced gorilla. Winston initiated an agent recall, and started reforming Overwatch with Tracer and


While this is all well and good for Overwatch 2 , what becomes of the overall hero shooter genre? Right now the core three are Overwatch , the ancient Team Fortress 2 , and Apex Legends - which is more of a battle royale, really, but technically counts. Apex actually may be the best example of how this genre will evo


During Blizzcon of 2019, the Overwatch 2 announcement trailer features a clip of Paris being attacked by Null Sector's forces. This attack is presumably the beginning of the story of Overwatch 2, where the heroes once more come together to defend the world from the forces of Talon and Null Sect


One of the neatest inclusions of Overwatch 2 has to be the new upgrades and customizations to hero abilities. Now, this will - at least initially - be limited to the PvE missions, as they would grant an unfair advantage over Overwatch 1 players. Still, it'll certainly be neat to take out hordes of Omnics with powers like Tracer's new juiced-up Pulse Bomb Ultimate, "Chain Reacti


Following the successful takedown of the Omnic forces, Adawe chose to promote Morrison to the strike-commander position over Reyes, despite Reyes being the one who ultimately led overwatch 2 Season 12 in disabling the Omnic base. A period of extended peace swept the world, and Overwatch helped usher in an era of space exploration, medical research, innovation, and discov

One of the most anticipated features has to be Sojourn, a brand-new hero coming to Overwatch 2. She's extremely unique when it comes to her weapon and combat style, and since fans have seen her in several comics and Archives missions, it's only natural that she's the first new hero to be announced for Blizzard's upcoming sequel. Here's what's known about Sojourn so far, as of May 2
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5970/overwatch-2-5-things-were-excited-to-see-5-things-the-game-still-needs/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:12:48 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5969/switch-games-that-make-the-best-use-of-gyro-controls/ This week, the unreal-powered remaster leaked online in its entirety . The game can only be played via Xbox 360 emulator on PC. Online gameplay, leaderboards, and achievements are not available, but the remaster does feature the ability to switch back and forth between the original N64 graphics and the updated HD graph


Recent job listings indicate that WBIE is working on a variety of new games, so it's possible we haven't seen the end of the Nemesis System entirely. Whether the mechanic shows up in another Middle-Earth sequel or perhaps in the upcoming Harry Potter game is unknown, but what is known is that few, if any, developers will get the chance to use the Nemesis System in other games — at least until the patent expi

Which begs the question, if everything is going to be added into the first game, why do we even need a sequel? From the sound of things, it seems like Overwatch 2 should have been DLC instead of a separate full-price rele


After all, Activision has a reputation as the company that likes to drive its games into the ground with constant releases. It released so many Guitar Hero games that it practically salted the Earth when it comes to the rhythm genre. It's also easy to remember that Bungie was originally said to have a ten-year plan for Destiny until Destiny 2 went into production. Considering their public break-up with Activision earlier this year, it's plausible that Activision had a hand in pushing the former Halo developer into coming up with a sequel to drive fans over to the next g


Here at TheGamer, we've been celebrating Mass Effect all week with tons of exclusive interviews with the cast , a preview of the Legendary Edition , and tons of behind-the-scenes info about the making of the trilogy . Check out our Mass Effect page to catch up on all the awesome stories and details about the ser


In terms of the style and rapid-fire nature of these games, the vibe feels more akin to the underrated Wii gem from 2006, Smooth Moves . The smoother, more dynamic motion of the Joy-cons allow this experience to really shine, with fewer rough patches or confusing mome


Revealed at last year’s BlizzCon, Sojourn is the first and only new Hero currently known to join the Overwatch roster with the upcoming sequel. While much of the character’s nature is known, some of her abilities are yet to be officially revea


Both Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 were announced at BlizzCon 2019. While it was clear that Diablo 4 was early in development, many were hoping that Overwatch 2 would be ready in 2021. That doesn't seem to be the case, however, according to executives on the earnings call. At this point, the only game we can assume will release this year is the mobile title, Diablo Immor


Setting aside the humor behind the "C9" reference, this screenshot could indicate Clans and/or Guilds coming to Overwatch 2 — and across all other Blizzard games. It’s a feature long anticipated by Blizzard communities and could be coming with Overwatc


Square Enix revealed the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion during a livestream event yesterday. Called Endwalker , the expansion is set to conclude the current storyline and move the MMO into the next


Based on the lack of Ult charge and Sojourn’s blue glow in this clip, this looks to be Sojourn’s Ultimate ability for this build of Overwatch anime collaboration 2. It looks very powerful but also super reliant on good aim and tim


Kaplan does seem to have big plans for Overwatch 2 , and the story mode may end being phenomenal. If there's a good number of missions, new skills, and a high level of replayability, then it might turn out to be a game deserving of your hard-earned dollars. But right now, Overwatch 2 seems like the same old Overwatch , only now everyone has a fancy new hairst


Veteran Overwatch players might remember a game unrecognizable to the current build. Players could stack the same character across an entire team. Bastion’s turret mode also gave him a shield. Most infamously, Mercy’s ultimate let her resurrect as many as five teammates with a flick of her wr


And that brings us back to the question of __ whether Overwatch 2 needs to exist, or if it's just one giant Activision-endorsed cash grab. While the story mode is enticing, these missions could have easily been added into the base game as DLC. Many players would have gladly paid $20 or $30 to play through a cinematic adventure with Tracer and company, but instead, we're getting a new game that will likely be priced at the same level as other triple-A releases. This means if you want to see the journey of Overwatch's revival you're going to have to pony up $60, and that doesn't feel justifia


The Null Sector has appeared as Overwatch’s PvE enemies for various Seasonal Events, and Blizzard is looking to make big changes and additions to the robot army. The BlizzConline showcase revealed enemy types like objective units that carry bombs, upgraded versions of Omnic grunts, spry little bots referred to as "chickens" internally at Blizzard, and several m
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5969/switch-games-that-make-the-best-use-of-gyro-controls/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:03:21 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5968/overwatchs-history-explained/ Where she really shines is critical hits; with such high damage per shot, if she’s getting headshots, she’s getting eliminations. An accurate Ashe player can take down a band of bandits or what have you with the ease and style of Arthur Morgan using Deadeye in Red Dead Redemption


The two things really go hand in hand, as the new game drives people over to watch the OWL, while the OWL playing the new game can convince people to buy it. Overwatch 2 will probably bump up the amount of promotions for the OWL, giving out in-game currency, skins, or other prizes for watching. With a new game out, more money than ever will be pumped into new tournaments. You should expect to see a whole lot more eSports integrat


Although Reyes was given command of Overwatch 2 Hazard guide, it isJack Morrison who is mostly credited with transforming the unit into a devastating fighting force. He trained the other founding members Ana Amari, Mina Liao, Torbjorn Lindholm, and Reinhardt Wilheim to work together as a team and led the strike team against the Omnics. The team destroyed the main Omnic control center in Rio de Janeiro and successfully put an end to the Omnic Cri


Though Blizzard did not mention the Jumper by name, the new Omnic appears in a few clips alongside Omnic Grunts, Elite Grunts, and Artillery units. A flying bipedal Omnic, the Jumper seems to behave similarly to Grunt units, with the added element of vertical mobil


One enemy type that has shown up very little, whether in the form of gameplay or concept art, is the Orbiter. These drone-like fliers seem to appear in groups and hover above players and/or objectives. In the BlizzConline video, a group of Orbiters flies over the player on both Route 66 and Numbani, and they don't seem to be attacking the player in any obvious


Something reminiscent of the 3v3 elimination mode in Arcade, or a game similar to solo deathmatch, which limits players to a DPS hero to keep things relatively even, should make for a thrilling face-off. It could take place in a vast arena, which could shrink over time, and upgrades could even be implemented to reward better play in-game. The possibilities with this are endl


This will seemingly reside somewhere in-between a completely new follow-up and an evolutionary "expansion" of the first game, as it'll coincide with the original OW and will actually share a collective PvP pool with that game. The focus this time will be on all-new PvE missions, in addition to some new stages , heroes, and spruced-up visu


Given the long development time for Sojourn, it's likely the team behind Overwatch knew years before that she would be added to the second version of the game, or at least fairly later on with a significant update that would overhaul Overwa


The skilled archer has an easier time hitting NPCs in PvE than in standard PvP, meaning he hits more headshots and can enjoy being one of the highest DPS heroes. His lack of utility skills and support also means he works better in PvE and his biggest weakness is his lack of mobility, which leaves him open to snip


One of the key architects in forming Overwatch was the under-secretary-general Gabrielle Adawe. After the Omnic Crisis, Adawe went on to establish the city of Numbani and worked toward sustaining peace between humans and Omnics. While Adawe was one of the key figures in forming Overwatch, Gabriel Reyes, a former member of the United States’ super soldier program, was given command of the u


To truly make Overwatch 2 shine through as a true, distinct sequel, it would be nice to see an entire batch of new recruits to the Overwatch and/or Blackwatch squad. Perhaps we could at least kick things off with a couple of heroes that cover each of the 3 major categories - DPS, tank, and supp


Some of the most exciting details shown off surround the bounty of upgrades coming to the PvE enemy faction, Null Sector Omnics. While these bots appeared in Overwatch seasonal events like Uprising and Halloween Terror, many players felt they posed little threat and were mostly uninteresting bullet sponges. Blizzard aims to correct this with Overwatch 2. And while much was revealed at BlizzConline, there were a few details that are easy to overl


Thirty years before the present day, the world was sent into one of the deadliest wars in history. Omnica Corporation created Omnics to help improve various productions and hoped the robotics would create worldwide economic equality. However, the facilities were shut down after investigations unearthed evidence of corporate fraud . Sometime after, the now-abandoned facilities suddenly came to life and began producing Omnic arm


As already mentioned, Sojourn has been a part of the Overwatch franchise and lore for a very long time. No other hero has been teased as much as she has been, ever since the conception of the game. Given how early on the team knew they wanted to have her as a playable hero in the game, it's only natural there's so much information and footage available of
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5968/overwatchs-history-explained/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:55:41 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5967/overwatchs-history-explained/ Where she really shines is critical hits; with such high damage per shot, if she’s getting headshots, she’s getting eliminations. An accurate Ashe player can take down a band of bandits or what have you with the ease and style of Arthur Morgan using Deadeye in Red Dead Redemption


The two things really go hand in hand, as the new game drives people over to watch the OWL, while the OWL playing the new game can convince people to buy it. Overwatch 2 will probably bump up the amount of promotions for the OWL, giving out in-game currency, skins, or other prizes for watching. With a new game out, more money than ever will be pumped into new tournaments. You should expect to see a whole lot more eSports integrat


Although Reyes was given command of Overwatch, it isJack Morrison who is mostly credited with transforming the unit into a devastating fighting force. He trained the other founding members Ana Amari, Mina Liao, Torbjorn Lindholm, and Reinhardt Wilheim to work together as a team and led the strike team against the Omnics. The team destroyed the main Omnic control center in Rio de Janeiro and successfully put an end to the Omnic Cri


Though Blizzard did not mention the Jumper by name, the new Omnic appears in a few clips alongside Omnic Grunts, Elite Grunts, and Artillery units. A flying bipedal Omnic, the Jumper seems to behave similarly to Grunt units, with the added element of vertical mobil


One enemy type that has shown up very little, whether in the form of gameplay or concept art, is the Orbiter. These drone-like fliers seem to appear in groups and hover above players and/or objectives. In the BlizzConline video, a group of Orbiters flies over the player on both Route 66 and Numbani, and they don't seem to be attacking the player in any obvious

Something reminiscent of the 3v3 elimination mode in Arcade, or a game similar to solo deathmatch, which limits players to a DPS hero to keep things relatively even, should make for a thrilling face-off. It could take place in a vast arena, which could shrink over time, and upgrades could even be implemented to reward better play in-game. The possibilities with this are endl


This will seemingly reside somewhere in-between a completely new follow-up and an evolutionary "expansion" of the first game, as it'll coincide with the original OW and will actually share a collective PvP pool with that game. The focus this time will be on all-new PvE missions, in addition to some new stages , heroes, and spruced-up visu


Given the long development time for Sojourn, it's likely the team behind Overwatch knew years before that she would be added to the second version of the game, or at least fairly later on with a significant update that would overhaul Overwa


The skilled archer has an easier time hitting NPCs in PvE than in standard PvP, meaning he hits more headshots and can enjoy being one of the highest DPS heroes. His lack of utility skills and support also means he works better in PvE and his biggest weakness is his lack of mobility, which leaves him open to snip


One of the key architects in forming Overwatch 2 Hazard guide was the under-secretary-general Gabrielle Adawe. After the Omnic Crisis, Adawe went on to establish the city of Numbani and worked toward sustaining peace between humans and Omnics. While Adawe was one of the key figures in forming Overwatch, Gabriel Reyes, a former member of the United States’ super soldier program, was given command of the u


To truly make Overwatch 2 shine through as a true, distinct sequel, it would be nice to see an entire batch of new recruits to the Overwatch and/or Blackwatch squad. Perhaps we could at least kick things off with a couple of heroes that cover each of the 3 major categories - DPS, tank, and supp


Some of the most exciting details shown off surround the bounty of upgrades coming to the PvE enemy faction, Null Sector Omnics. While these bots appeared in Overwatch seasonal events like Uprising and Halloween Terror, many players felt they posed little threat and were mostly uninteresting bullet sponges. Blizzard aims to correct this with Overwatch 2. And while much was revealed at BlizzConline, there were a few details that are easy to overl


Thirty years before the present day, the world was sent into one of the deadliest wars in history. Omnica Corporation created Omnics to help improve various productions and hoped the robotics would create worldwide economic equality. However, the facilities were shut down after investigations unearthed evidence of corporate fraud . Sometime after, the now-abandoned facilities suddenly came to life and began producing Omnic arm


As already mentioned, Sojourn has been a part of the Overwatch franchise and lore for a very long time. No other hero has been teased as much as she has been, ever since the conception of the game. Given how early on the team knew they wanted to have her as a playable hero in the game, it's only natural there's so much information and footage available of
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5967/overwatchs-history-explained/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:55:36 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5964/best-tank-heroes-in-overwatch-2/ The wait for Overwatch 2 has been characterized by many fans as excruciating. Due to a huge drought of content for what has felt like an eternity, it's no wonder that the small morsels of information that Blizzard has provided are treated like nuggets of gold. In Blizzcon of 2021, a lot of good things were showcased for the Overwatch franch


Toronto is also unique as a map because it introduces a brand-new game mode known as Push. It involves the team escorting a robot across the map, and the winning team is the one who manages to escort it to the opposition's s


Zarya can fully charge her Particle Cannon to gain intense energy, firing a short-range linear beam to devastate enemies and their health, including those who can deflect. Zarya is a brutal tank who can eliminate foes easily thanks to a great mix of defensive and offensive play, even with recent nerfs to her Projected Barriers, which will see longer cooldowns of her bubbles to make her more vulnerable in intensive fig


Sojourn is a decorated Overwatch member, as a result of her involvement in a ton of missions. She led a strike team against Talon forces without mercy and participated in the Storm Rising archives mission by acting as the guiding force for the team itself. It seems like she might be taking on Ana Amari's old role as a commanding member in the fact


The game’s original man-for-all-seasons has thankfully had precious few changes. He was designed to be Overwatch’s balanced pick for new players and FPS lovers, and not much has changed. 76 is a perfect pick for PvE because of his versatil

You may find yourself playing a game at one moment, but then feeling the need to find something else. That new interest might be something radically different, like going from Doom to Animal Crossing. It could be something similar, like finding a game that matches enough of the same qualities as Overwatch


As long as you’re not playing an offensive map, where you’re moving ahead every minute, your turret can be relied on to watch your back while you crowd-control and pick off stragglers with his rivet


Sojourn has been theorized to also join Overwatch again after laying low during its downtime. Her addition as a new hero in Overwatch 2 is perfect since it also marks her return as a member of the Overwatch team. It's likely that the events in Paris serve as an inspiration for her to return to the faction, along with other her


Sigma's abilities make him a solid choice for an impactful tank . Kinetic Grasp eats at eager enemies' damage, feeding his shields to make him even stronger, and the Experimental Barrier is a portable shield that allies can shoot out of. His ultimate is also great for dealing with clusters of enemies, pulling them into the air to then slam them down, creating an opportunity for an immobilized att


This Zen-themed Control map is both a delight to gaze upon and to play through, with its variance of indoor and outdoor regions, its crafty level design, and its abundance of pits which can lead to some chaotic fights for the point. A number of heroes can thrive here, including the defensive Symmetra and Mei, while heroes with push abilities can certainly have their fun in the Sanctum portion of this


So long as you can dodge and evade enemy fire and make strategic use of her recall ability, Tracer can deal consistently high DPS while enjoying the use of her quick-charging sticky bomb ultimate abil


Fans were excited to explore the lunar playground of one of Overwatch 's premiere heroes when it hit the scene as one of the first new stages added to the game. Yet, aside from its cool outer-space theme and its zero-gravity area (which is largely useless anyway), there isn't much this map has going for it. The enclosed region where point B rests is frustratingly tough to capture, and the Concord open beta, somewhat barren layout of everything makes for a pretty bland experience more often than


Overwatch 2 is a faster game than its predecessor, but even then, it had a mix of slower to faster moments. For those who want less pressure on the gas peddle, there is arguably no better choice than Rainbow Six Sie


When it comes to the hero shooter, few have managed to compare to Overwatch. Yet many are now taking the idea of the genre and applying it to other games in other ways. The genre is evolving, so don't be surprised if the next big FPS, or action game has a Tracer or Reaper of their very


After all, the core concept of the hero shooter is that you have a roster of interesting characters to play with. Taking that idea, and melding it with anything from a sports game, to a side scroller, to a strategy game, to any other genre would be easy, and would give players a new kind of game to dress their favorite heroes up in. Overwatch 2 could possibly be the last real hero shooter, as the concept will soon be nothing more than a feature in most ga


Considering we could potentially see the addition of a new Omnic hero, Tekhartha Mondatta (speculation which we base off nothing but our own desires), we might as well get the return of the stage in which he's so prominently featured as a statue, Ne
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5964/best-tank-heroes-in-overwatch-2/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:40:39 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5960/best-heroes-for-pve-in-overwatch-2/ Gundam fans have a chance to pilot their own mechs in Gundam Evolution. It is a fast-paced shooter set in the world of the classic anime. The pacing makes for quick matches but allows for enough strategy as your team fights for the


Many of these characters are made to be particularly recognizable, specifically with their either brightly colored or natural red hair. Due to such a design, it becomes particularly challenging to forget some of the best redheads in video game histo


Redheads are stereotypically fiery and never afraid to be who they want to be. This is entirely the case for these badass video game girls. While some may associate having red hair with being angry or ferocious, many representations of such a hair color seem to have proven the stereotype wrong. After all, while some of the female characters in gaming serve the purpose of being the love interest, more women have risen in the ranks of success and are being represented in new, more powerful lig


It's been a strange week of ups and downs for Sonic. Netflix announced that its upcoming 3D animated series will be called Sonic Prime and is coming to the streaming service in 2022. Meanwhile, several long-time voice actors from the series revealed that they won't be returning to their signature roles. Roger Craig Smith , Colleen O’Shaughnessey , and Cindy Robinson have revealed that they won't be returning to voice Sonic, Tails, and Amy in Sonic Prime. Luckily, Eggman voice actor Mike Pollock has confirmed that he will continue to voice the villain in video games but did not confirm whether he would perform Robotnik in the Netflix Ser


BlizzConline , the first online-only Blizzard fan convention, runs February 19-20. Fans can expect some big reveals an new details about upcoming games, including Diablo Immortal , Diablo 4, Overwatch 2, and WoW updates 9.1 and 9.2. Unfortunately, a fourth-quarter earnings call has revealed that Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 are not expected to launch in 20


While not quite a shooter, if you want a major shift in the hero-based space while still getting a fix similar to Overwatch 2, Knockout City makes for a great breath of fresh air without the actual fresh air of abandoning your gaming p


However, while the game is still going strong, there are rumors that Overwatch 2 is in development right now . Overwatch still has a dedicated fanbase that plays the game religiously, so releasing a sequel is a bit of a risky move, as it could alienate fans who simply want to stick with their beloved hero shooter and not move


As long as you’re not playing an offensive map, where you’re moving ahead every minute, your turret can be relied on to watch your back while you crowd-control and pick off stragglers with his rivet


Their heroes had flashy, distinct designs, and though there's not technically an in-game story, you can still get a sense of who each hero is. The amount of craft and detail that went into creating each hero's personality allowed players to get emotionally invested in them, something that most other hero shooters fail to achi


The first week of February brought tons of news for some of the biggest franchises, including Mass Effect, Final Fantasy 14, and Sonic. While BlizzConline is still two weeks away, we got some unfortunate news about Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4. A lost remaster of GoldenEye was discovered by a very patient fan, and Warner Brothers finally secured a patent for the Nemesis sys


Plants vs. Zombies went a long way from a defense strategy game to a third-person shooter, yet it worked out. Garden Warfare 2 lets you be plants or zombies, and your team must overcome the enemy, whether they are a plant or the und


This newly mobile Bastion also comes with a grenade launcher for AoE and rocket-jumping, and his ultimate is now an artillery cannon for bombing baddies anywhere on the map. The only downside to these changes is that Bastion has traded his self-repair for a less useful 'Ironclad' defense buff during these Assault and Artillery mo


Games like Apex Legends and Fortnite have really shown the awesome potential and appeal of an epic, exciting battle-royale. While a hero-based shooter like Overwatch doesn't tend to mesh with this more equalized style of FPS, in which everyone starts at ground level, Blizzard could certainly make it w

While it's been announced that PvE missions will introduce various items that can be picked up - which will grant boosts like healing and shields - some sort of grabbable items and/or weapons for PvP could really make things interesting. Something similar to Smash Bros Ultimate , which tosses a myriad of game-changing items at you, could add an additional element of chaos and


The stealth-assassin hero may not be the first to come to mind when picking for a PvE match, but the changes made to her character in Overwatch 2 Season 12 Skins 2 have cranked up her abilities with only a minor nerf to her bullet damage. Against the less evasive NPCs in PvE, her SMG can crank up her DPS with a barrage of critical h
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5960/best-heroes-for-pve-in-overwatch-2/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:24:21 +0000 Lacy Arreola https://stayclose.social/blog/5954/an-obituary-for-overwatch/ I haven’t played enough of the game to judge its new direction and updated mechanics, thus placing a score on the experience doesn’t only feel unfair, but unprofessional. But what I can do is admire the sexy menus and slick user interface, since I don’t need any friends to lose myself in the cauldron of stats, modes, and heroes that make up the logistical majority of Blizzard’s hero shooter sequel. A real review is coming, but for now this will have to do.


And yet, I remain hopeful. I’ve never been accused of being an optimist, but I think overwatch 2 meta 2 has a potential that the original was never going to realize. There’s plenty to criticize about Overwatch 2, but there’s also some things we can appreciate. Four or five years down the road, we may just find Overwatch 2 in a better position than Overwatch was ever going to be in. Blizzard has done a horrendous job marketing and championing this game, but allow me to take a stab at it: I think Overwatch 2 is a better game, and the things we hate are going to end up being necessary evils that ensure it stays alive and healthy for many years to c

We also need to talk about loot boxes, since Overwatch was responsible for increasing their popularity outside the mobile space. Ultimate Team was already a thing, but Blizzard showcased how easily cosmetic items could be monetised through random packages of goodies earned by either levelling up or buying them outright. I had friends who would set aside entire evenings during seasonal events to grind for boxes, hoping that Blizzard would be kind enough to let a legendary skin fall into their laps. None of them were playing for fun, instead waiting for that brief hit of serotonin that comes with a rare drop. Or they could spend money, and as the profits have long shown, so many of us went and did just that.

I love this screen. It’s slick, colourful, and showcases how good I am at certain characters. I will say that I am not a Lucio main by choice, but largely because my team would be ruined without me healing their asses on a constant basis. All the usual customisation options for analysing your stats can be found here alongside statistics and challenges. It’s a shame that a lot of tasks have carried over from the first game instead of starting afresh, meaning your main source of progression this time around is the battle pass and not much else. Speaking of!


Overwatch 2 might be the first sequel in history that players of the original begged the developers not to make. Through a small handful of gameplay changes and minor visual updates, it just barely manages to justify its own existence. It feels like it’s Blizzard’s attempt to restructure the monetization into a more profitable, industry-standard model, which people have rightly pointed out benefits the publisher, but doesn’t actually provide any value to the players. At first blush, Overwatch 2 comes across like a dark tulpa of the original - a product designed to increase profits and engagement without offering anything that meaningfully increases enjoyment. Within the broader context, Overwatch 2 follows this year’s Diablo: Immortal as just another anti-consumer title from a mega corp that used to actually care about its fans and reputation. There’s never been a particularly good answer to the question "Why does Overwatch 2 exist?", and I don’t anticipate there ever will

In a landscape filled with gruff military dudes and futuristic warfare emerged a bright, colourful, diverse, and experimental game that pushed the genre forward and tried new things in fresh, exciting ways. Each match was fast and rewarding, while its sprawling cast of heroes all connected with players and meant something to them. It was evolutionary, but this innovation would bring with it some irksome industry trends and a complacency that would see Blizzard transform into a company that is now widely despised. How things change.


A brand new 4K trailer for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition premiered this week. The remake/remaster of the original Mass Effect trilogy launches May 14, 2021 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The trailer shows off some of the major enhancements coming to the trilogy, including big changes to Eden Prime , upgrades to FemShep , and updates to... certain camera angl


The most apparent is the team size reduction. Overwatch 2 features 5v5 battles instead of 6v6, meaning both teams have one less tank in the fight. Opinions will vary, but I think it’s obvious that this is a huge improvement. Half the number of tanks means half the number of shields, which means fights are more active and exciting. Instead of both teams poking at each other from behind cover until everyone fires off their ults, every match is a constant back and forth. Getting picks has a much greater impact, so it’s easier to coordinate pushes with your team, even if you’re only communicating non-verbally. It’s a simpler, easier to follow spectator experience, which will help the Overwatch League reach a wider audience. Resizing the teams has an effect on every aspect of the game, and it’s been overwhelmingly posit
]]> https://stayclose.social/blog/5954/an-obituary-for-overwatch/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:10:40 +0000 Lacy Arreola