The sequel update in the Overwatch series
Overwatch 2 is the free, action-packed sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch. It builds on the original, expanding and improving the formula. Changes include a free-to-play package, new characters, an updated engine, and cross-progression between platforms. It is the triumphant return of one of the best hero shooters on the market.
Though Overwatch 2 aims to be an accessible experience for anybody, the demographic who enjoyed the preceding action game will feel especially at home with its look, feel, and overall momentum. The ebb and flow of this sequel are much the same, starring a colorful, diverse cast of powerful heroes contesting each other in team vs team combat.
New format but familiar feel
Set just after the climactic story event of Overwatch, Overwatch 2 welcomes new heroes, maps, and modes. Veteran players will notice that core gameplay still revolves around PvP combat that blends three distinctive class types in different permutations. The game's wide roster of characters still offers different variations of the three major archetypes: tank, damage, and support.
For new players unfamiliar with these archetypes, tank heroes, like the new Junker Queen, are designed to soak up damage and shatter fortified positions. They excel in claustrophobic chokepoints and wreak havoc on enemies too closely bunched together. While they're great at leading a charge, damage heroes like Sojourn are more easily killed. They can deal tremendous amounts of damage, however, using a wide range of tools and abilities.
Damage heroes need backup to reach their fullest potential, and that's where support heroes like Brigitte come into play. These heroes buff allies in various ways, either boosting their damage, shielding or healing them, or debuffing and disabling opponents. However, some players have noted that the game suffers from imbalance issues, with certain support or damage heroes feeling either overpowered or underwhelming depending on the current meta.
Season 18: Stadium Quickplay! update
Season 18 of Overwatch 2 is making a big splash with major updates to Stadium and the competitive PvP landscape. The patch introduces new playable heroes to the Stadium rotation and a faster Quick Play mode. The season also overhauls the competitive experience with a full rank reset and over 50 new Hero-specific Perks, creating a fresh, strategic meta for all players to explore.
A new aquatic Support Hero, Wuyang, is joining the roster with a unique kit that highlights his fluid movement and sharp aim. He can surf on water currents, launch detonating orbs, and use his ultimate, Tidal Blast, to provide overhealth and a powerful knockback. Season 18 also debuts two new Mythic skins — the Ultraviolet Sentinel Sojourn Hero Skin and the Blazing Sunsetter Cassidy Weapon Skin — that evolve as you play.
A team-oriented shooter experience
Since its successful debut, Overwatch has reigned as a landmark in both competitive and social first-person shooter games. To further its platform for more casual players, Blizzard has made Overwatch 2 a free-to-play experience. This will drastically lower the entry barrier for new players and will make the game accessible to anyone who wants to try it.
In terms of presentation and content, Overwatch 2 is a major engine upgrade. Blizzard shifted the monetization model by removing loot boxes, instead offering a Battle Pass where players can acquire items directly from the in-game shop. Overwatch 2 feels like an expansion and a long-awaited update to the original popular game.
