Overwatch

Overwatch 2 seeks a second chance from the community to be the "eSport of the decade". It has changes in the gameplay, in the competitive integrity, even aesthetic and sound changes but no matter what, it is one of the most exciting and adrenaline-filled shooting video games ever created.

Overwatch 2 represents the arrival of the foundational changes Blizzard's hero shooter needed in order to return to its former glory. While it's not perfect — few things ever are — the changes that the game makes to Overwatch's gameplay structure, progression systems, content release schedule, and presentation are absolutely stellar.

A breath of fresh air for the Overwatch franchise, with the new game modes, characters, and mechanics all working together superbly well, for a genuinely exciting sequel.

Overwatch 2 is so damn good. 5v5 has breathed life into the game, Junkerqueen, Sojourn, and Kiriko are a breath of fresh air, and the game’s new high pace suits its competitive nature perfectly. The new maps are insanely fun to play, albeit with some needing tweaking, and the new Push gamemode only enhances Overwatch 2’s core experience. The only downside comes from its cosmetic-locked, 9-week battle pass system, which will be costly to continually purchase.

At launch, Overwatch 2 is a launchpad for something much, much grander. It’s rough around the edges, but the controlled chaos of the actual gameplay is right up my alley. Given the live service nature of the game, it’s something I’ll likely re-review every so often. Still, Overwatch 2 is in pretty great shape overall.

Overwatch 2 doesn’t flip the formula the way you might expect a long-awaited, numbered sequel would. But through various clever tweaks, it’s a well-rounded evolution of the experience into which I’ve poured more than a thousand hours since 2016. I may never recreate the magic of those first few years in Overwatch, but Overwatch 2 is a big step towards restoring the faith in the franchise and has me thinking it’s time to pour a few more hundred hours into my favorite team-based shooter.

Overwatch 2 is one of the best shooters of the year for obvious reasons. Its gameplay, competitiveness, extensive lore and huge fan base have made this second installment one of the biggest games of the next decade for Blizzard.

Overwatch 2 is the change that Blizzard's shooter was crying out for. This one is ready to revolutionize the community and completely transform the image we had of Overwatch. His move to 'free to play' is a key element to attract more players, and other changes such as 5v5, the Battle Pass or the new characters are the perfect elements to keep them all.

Overwatch as a franchise has always felt like a child taking toys out of a box to hurriedly show you what’s next, breathless through excitement before switching to another. In that sense, Overwatch 2 is a bigger toy box, with a few more action figures and incredible new dioramas to pose them in. It’s definitely a variation on a theme rather than something wholly new, at least until the PvE component arrives in 2023, but what’s here has reignited my love for a world, its characters, and their stories in a way I didn’t know I’d missed. Whether it’ll be enough for the competitive crowd, though, remains to be seen.

Overwatch 2 is a worthy successor to the original Overwatch that doesn’t so much reinvent the wheel as it does improve upon it. While it does have its issues, the core gameplay and improved UI make for a fun and fully realized sequel.

In overall balance-wise, I was able to feel the change from Overwatch to Overwatch2. Especially, 5 vs 5 match locking one tank successfully returned the game to a fast-paced battle in the early days while suppressing the existing tank meta. Though it is hard to say the balance between characters is perfect, I believe the game is going to provide fresh, joyful gameplay in each season.

This sequel is not revolutionary as the first chapter: it is simply what who wanted a more up-to-date PvP structure needed. The 5 vs 5 gameplay works and is smoother, but in the new era of the franchise seems like there is less space than before for casual or not competitive players.

While not revolutionizing the genre as its predecessor did, Overwatch 2 works thanks to a more modern competitive structure and is fun with its smoother gameplay.

A really good and extensive free-to-play sequel to the legendary hero shooter, which loses some of its character, but has been carefully renewed and fortunately not become too greedy.

Overwatch 2 fulfills the mission of breathing new life into what was once one of the best multiplayer shooter, before falling into great oblivion because of Blizzard's lack of attention. Switching to 5v5 matches ushers in a new era in Overwatch battles and abilities, where one-on-one duels take precedence over tactical team play. New heroes and maps freshen up the environment, while the Push mode could become a fan favorite. Overwatch has everything to shine again, as long as it gets the attention its competitors have done. We can't gauge what Overwatch 2 could be, we can judge what's in front of us at launch - and this is a team-based FPS that's quite fun, full of charm and love for its universe, and one that we can't wait to see more by keep playing.

Even if at first glance it doesn't seem like a new game, the new environments and small and larger adjustments immediately make Overwatch 2 one of the most fun shooters of the moment. The fact that the game is free - except for battle passes and cosmetic tweaks for the various characters that you can buy with real money - and that it doesn't matter what platform you play on, are only additional arguments to quickly get the download up and running.

Overwatch 2 simply exists in an awkward transition phase between the game it was and the game it wants to be. It's not a revolution by any stretch, at least not how the original game was, but it's still Overwatch and that means it's still a ton of fun.

Overwatch 2 is not a revolution of any kind, because it revolves around that identity that shook the market in 2016. However, the new composition of the teams must be assimilated, it is promising and rewards good players at the expense (perhaps) of novices. The free to play model seems perfectly in line with what the market offers (for better or for worse), but blocking the original heroes may not have been the best choice. Overwatch 2 is still the fun and captivating game it always was, and now it's free as well. Maybe there isn't too much else to know, after all.

Overwatch 2 has a lot of common ground with the original, but it's managed to take what we know and breathe a new life into a landmark hero shooter. The fact that it’s now free-to-play means more people can enjoy this truly wonderful shooter, though the monetisation feels heavy handed compared to other games.

Where it counts, Overwatch 2 feels like a fantastic update to a multiplayer game with mechanics that enable thrilling skirmishes between teams of heroes. However, as a separate entity and sequel, it stumbles. Changes to the core gameplay are steps in the right direction, but it is surrounded by new points of friction where there previously were none. Thankfully, as a live-service game, things will be added or altered once Blizzard has more player feedback, so at the very least the studio has a strong foundation to build upon. There is plenty of good to be found in Overwatch 2 and in the heat of battle the intoxicating multiplayer dynamics that fans love are there to enjoy all over again. But if the first Overwatch taught me anything, it's to dream a bit bigger about what games can be, and there is still a bit more dreaming to be done here.

Overwatch 2 is more akin to a big update than a full fledged sequel: it still is the fun, dynamic and charismatic shooter it was but the new free to play model is lackluster and predatory.

Overwatch 2 is a soft reboot of the hero shooter, enabling a quicker pace thanks to 5v5, well-designed maps, and extensive rebalancing. There are still some progression and monetization issues to sort out, but this update/sequel establishes a solid foundation for the series' future.

With a revitalised gameplay experience and tighter combat, the actual moment-to-moment gameplay of Overwatch has never been better. Let’s hope the monetisation strategy relaxes a little.

Overwatch 2 does some things differently than its predecessor, but it doesn't pass as a sequel.

At the moment, Overwatch 2 cannot be considered a new game in its own right, but is positioned much more as a huge content update. The title in its full version will really see the light of day when the Story mode is released. However, it remains an addictive and very well thought-out shooter with heroes just as interesting and endearing as each other. It knows how to please experienced players, as well as occasional players thanks to a wide variety of mechanics to master. Even if the Battle Pass turns out to be a big gray area, the new features are really attractive and offer great prospects for the community.

As you can see, Overwatch 2 isn't really Overwatch 2; it's more of a big content update or upgrade. The license will get a new game when the story mode is released in 2023 (which will require an update of this test by the way). However, despite the economic system that is very surprising and not looked upon favorably, the competitive games are still very exciting. The new heroines are excellent and the maps are just as good, and it's still fun to watch the talented designers at Blizzard. We hope that the developers will continue on this path and offer their very committed community a game that will meet their expectations.

It’s difficult to look back on a game like Overwatch and wonder what it could’ve been if it had been delayed, and released as a complete, full-priced package with none of the extras: no feel-bad Battle Passes, with the story mode and Hero Missions available to all from the get-go. It’s not all doom and gloom of course; I’ve been in denial about the change in direction for PvP, but tens of hours of playtime have convinced me that the new 5v5 format will lead to more exciting experiences going forward. For my fellow lore and character enthusiasts, well, there’s always next year.

A bold reinvention, Overwatch 2 is fun to play and has a variety of smart tweaks that reinvigorate the game and package it up for a new audience. While live service trappings like unlocking heroes through a battle pass are unwelcome distractions, once you’re bedded into this shooter, it’s hard to point to any other shooter that can deliver this much joy.

Overwatch 2 restores the fantastic hero shooter by making it free for all to enjoy. Changes to multiplayer mechanics make gameplay even more enthralling and address annoyances with the original. Although, there are still valid concerns about hero balancing, UI overload, and the future of the battle pass model. While it may not feel like a true sequel without the promised PvE story mode, Overwatch 2 can potentially be the most popular shooter on the market.

Overwatch 2’s switch to a 5v5 format breathes new life into what was once the sharpest shooter around. It just hasn’t quite recaptured all of that glory – yet.

If you loved Overwatch, there’s really no reason why you won’t enjoy continuing this journey. If you weren’t a fan, this isn’t going to change your mind. That said, if the first batch of heroes, modes, and maps were any indication, it at least looks like Overwatch 2’s new free-to-play seasonal content rotation is going to keep things interesting for a long time to come.

While the game is called Overwatch 2, this all seems more like a transition to a full new game. The biggest changes are dropping the 6v6 gameplay in favour of a much more exciting 5v5 format. Three new heroes are also available, along with a new game mode, but for a final and real verdict, everyone should wait for the upcoming PvE segment.

Ultimately, we can only judge the product by what it is now, which is a rock-solid online multiplayer shooter. And despite all of us, like Tracer, experiencing that strange sense of déjà vu, Overwatch 2 is more than a 1.5 version of the original. It feels like an evolution of the original that makes for even better gameplay through subtle changes and additions. The new revenue model does leave a bad taste behind and is at odds with the sense of togetherness that Overwatch should radiate.

Fans of the original game will find very little to be excited about, but ultimately Overwatch 2 is a solid free to play hero shooter with polished gameplay and enough content to be worth checking out.

This is, really, a relaunch dressed up as a sequel, although the game remains as fun as ever. Some balancing issues and, of course, a questionable progression system hinder the potential of Overwatch 2.

We suspected it a little, but it is sure now : Overwatch 2 is more an update of the first installment than a real sequel. Fortunately, the game became a free-to-play game and the news business model helps to forget this lack of new features and the fact that Blizzard has recycled a lot of things, like all the characters and stages.

Overwatch 2 revitalizes the stagnant hero shooter, but misunderstands what made it great.

Overwatch 2 is the awaited game that keeps on the legacy of the 2016 hero-shooter of Blizzard. With little news and a lot of problems with servers and bugs, the experience of the game has been a complete nightmare for a lot of users. But, it's not a secret that the game core is mainly the same as before: tons of fun playing with friends and alone, with an even bigger roaster of heroes and maps, and even new game modes, Overwatch 2 is the game that the fans of the franchise will love.

Overwatch 2 is a free to play game, and I’d definitely recommend trying it out if you haven’t to see how you feel about the gameplay and to see how well it runs on Steam Deck. Despite its flaws, it is still worth playing, but some of the decisions with how certain content has been handled in-game are weird. Overwatch 2 is yet to reach the highs of the original Overwatch, but it is still a great multiplayer game to play on Steam Deck. I enjoyed Overwatch 2 quite a bit on Switch despite the visual and performance cutbacks, but it really shines on Steam Deck.

Given a new lease of life by those whip-smart changes, in the moment-to-moment Overwatch 2 sings. [Issue#378, p.108]

Although it is still a very fun and enjoyable online FPS game to play, the fact that the in-game economy is so greedy and focused on exploiting the player, and there isn't anything in game that deserves that "2" in the name lowered the overall score for me. Unfortunately Battle Passes are now a part of these games, but Overwatch 2 has exploited that a lot. At least base game is free.

As things stand, Overwatch 2 is not so much a sequel as it is an update to the first chapter. Net of the changes made, we cannot consider what we have seen so far as something fully satisfactory or capable of justifying the number "to the right" of the title. The changes introduced are appreciable and the business model adopted could give new life to the franchise, but unfortunately, between the absence of the campaign and the progression of the characters, the real potential of the experience remained unexpressed.

Overwatch 2 is as fun and fast-paced as the original game, but its free-to-play structure sullies the experience a bit.

Overwatch 2’s launch issues are still awful. Like most of you, dear readers, I didn’t get an advance copy of the game or any special connection privileges. I was with all of you in the trenches, dealing with the constant error messages and inexhaustible queues. The game’s new battle pass system remains questionable and concerning...But I am very pleased with the core gameplay changes and where the game is headed. Game development is a group effort, and although Kaplan is deeply missed, I see these changes as evidence that Team 4 is still capable of magic, and eager to prove it.

Overwatch 2 does a lot of good, but at the same time almost everything went wrong before, around and after launch. It's hard to see the wood for all those trees of mistakes, when somewhere in that mess is still hiding one of the best shooters of the moment. Part two makes some much-needed improvements that make it play better in theory than ever before. Unfortunately, in practice, the many bugs and server problems predominated last week. It is therefore 'better' that part two is free-to-play, because you can't really ask for money for this.

Overwatch 2 replaces its predecessor with a similar, yet different experience, but its future feels uncertain as the franchise moves toward a more aggressive monetization structure with little to distinguish itself from every other live-service game.

There is a good game hiding underneath Overwatch 2's predatory shell, one that is soon to evolve into an even more massive headache for players as the game evolves.

While Overwatch 2 is still a good time, and an improvement over the original, it feels like less of a sequel and more of an update. There's some solid changes to the foundations of Overwatch, but a noticeable lack of new content, archaic game modes, and balancing issues leave something to be desired.

Overwatch 2 delivers high-octane multiplayer gameplay and a wholly improved version of the much-loved hero shooter. Now that the dust has settled, it’s becoming clear that despite a number of teething issues, the game manages to do what many sequels struggle to; build upon a successful game, and make it even better.

Fans who have continued to play Overwatch over the years grew hungry for the new maps, modes, and heroes that Overwatch 2 delivers on. At this point, it feels like the bare minimum fans need to keep enjoying Overwatch. As more maps and heroes are introduced, Overwatch 2 may start to feel more like a full sequel rather than a hefty much-needed update. If Blizzard had charged sixty dollars for what the game currently is, fans would be disappointed. The ten-dollar Battle Pass gives fans lots of content to unlock with the game's improved multiplayer action. Even though it will require some play time to unlock heroes behind the Battle Pass, it's an excellent time for new players to see what makes Overwatch as fun and charming as it is. Still, veteran players anxious for something new may want to wait until Overwatch 2 feels more complete.

For long-term players, Overwatch 2 may feel more like a glorified update with problematic progression and roadblocks to enjoyment that didn't exist in the original game. In its current state, Overwatch 2 is more product than art, but there is still plenty of time to turn things around between now and whenever the game's 1.0 version launches.