Why I'm Hopeful For Overwatch 2, Despite Everything

The Overwatch 2 battle pass is clean and simple. I’m surprised Blizzard didn’t decide to push the boat out or try something new with its implementation of the mechanic, because what we have here is rather basic and predictable. Some tiers have more than one reward hidden away inside them which is cool, and the variety of cosmetics is quite incredible and makes great use of the extensive hero roster, but what you’re working towards is very clear.


But once the sequel was announced the well started to dry up. We used to get three new heroes every year. In 2020, we only got Echo and she was confirmed to be the last new hero until Overwatch 2 arrives . We also used to get some new maps every year, but we only got Havana in 2019 and Kanezaka this year (and that's a deathmatch-only map so who cares about that.) Even the events have felt half-hearted as they've added nothing but new title screens with some old modes recycled and maybe slightly retooled. The only reason we even get new skins anymore is so Blizzard can still rake in that sweet lootbox mo


Joanna Dark is a classic spy action hero who is fitted with all the necessary skills, determination, and equipment to save the world over and over again. Along with the black and blue suit, Dark rocks short but flaming red hair and a pair of pistols strapped to her


As we all know, Blizzard is owned by Activision. And if there's any company that loves putting out sequel after sequel, it's Activision. We still get a new Call Of Duty game every single year, which is insane since that means we're going on 16 years straight of COD sequels. But that method hasn't worked for other games. This strategy almost killed the Tony Hawk franchise and did kill the Guitar Hero franchise. In fact, it pretty much snuffed out the entire plastic instrument sub-genre of rhythm ga

Overwatch 2 is a strange game to review. It’s a free-to-play live-service experience that depends on a consistent audience to find games and progress through its battle pass. As you might have already guessed, there were only so many games journalists in the world to populate its servers as we rocketed towards the embargo. Thus I am left in a bit of a pickle.


Who wouldn't want to play as a super-intelligent, genetically engineered gorilla with a love for peanut butter? Winston started his journey in Overwatch as a tank that not many people would pick. However, many were quick to realize that they had underestimated this tank, as his Tesla Cannon can damage multiple enemies at once, requires little focus to use thanks to its tracking, and ignores enemies with deflect or absorb abilit
First up is the main menu, which is a real snazzy bit of presentation. The first thing you’ll notice is how much the colour scheme has changed, with many of the tones updated to feel more modern and grounded compared to the cartoonish first game. There’s still plenty of room for silliness, but the orchestral score is even more soaring and extravagant, doing its best to emphasise how this is a glorious return to form despite most of the game playing and looking the same. First impressions count though, and Overwatch 2 doesn’t disappoint.


It's hard to beat Orisa, and if the enemy team has one — it may be useful to counter fire with fire. Orisa is a monstrous tank and easily holds the title for those seeking Overwatch's 2 best tanks. Her weapon, the Augmented Fusion Driver , is a heat-based weapon that can be shot near endlessly and deals incredible damage at close range. The Energy Javelin can impale enemies for great damage, and cancel them out of their abilities and ultima
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!


But then 2020 became...Well, 2020. With the pandemic, I made some concessions and accepted that Blizzard would probably hold off on releasing Overwatch 2 until 2021. By that time, the game would be even more polished and ready to take the gaming world by storm once ag


I do appreciate the fact that all regular Overwatch players will have access to the new content regardless of whether or not they buy Overwatch 2 (with the exception of the singleplayer modes.) So at least they're not going to split the playerbase. But is anyone going to be around when that happens? Does Overwatch have enough cultural cachet to survive such a long draught of substantial content? Or will 2022 be the year that Overwatch 2 tank perks is officially declared dead and buried as all its fans have long since moved