We have tested the new iteration of Activision Blizzard’s Hero Shooter for a long time: here is our review of Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 is finally a reality. We decided to take some time to thoroughly analyze the second iteration of the franchise, waiting for the resolution of technical hitches which crippled the title at launch (and which are still causing problems for many, especially on consoles). In short, just like the bumpy path that characterized its development, our analysis did not follow a simple trend.
This is despite apparently not much to talk about. The title was released as a free to play and with a much lower amount of content than the initial promises of the development team. Yet we have many things to say, so follow us to discover the Overwatch sequel (here our Overwatch review).
Overwatch, always and in any case
Can we include Overwatch 2 in the traditional concept of “sequel”, enough to justify the number it brings? This question accounted for a real base for our analysis. the second chapter of the series on the other hand seems to be (for better or for worse) an Overwatch subjected to some corrective intervention in terms of style and content.
As we have already anticipated on the occasion of the preview published a few days before the release, the feeling aroused by our test of Overwatch 2 was that of “familiarity”. Maybe too much, to be honest. Compared to the title that drove players all over the world crazy in May 2016, Blizzard seems to have limited itself to making some adjustments to a recipe that is no longer malleable, focusing everything on continuity.
From a certain point of view, the operation seems more understandable and we can justify it, as the narrative skeleton and the unmistakable, round and cartoonish style that characterizes the IP could not be set aside in the name of a revolutionary, very risky “leap. into the dark”. Not to mention that far greater problems would have emerged for the company, especially of an economic nature. We must not forget, in fact, the size export that the colossus of Irvine has erected over the years around (and in support of) its own creature. Perhaps, in part, it was thanks to this multimillion-dollar league that Overwatch survived so long. Refounding the IP without taking into account the competitive scene would obviously have been an announced suicide. So what to do? Perhaps the only sensible thing, as we mentioned earlier: guarantee continuity, through a smooth transition, without jolts. The problem is that this can hardly justify the number “2” that appears in the name. After six years we found ourselves with a business model that is causing discussion, a handful of new heroes, the rework of some mechanics, a new mode, some maps and many promises. But let’s go in order.
Did the mountain give birth to a mouse?
The most evident novelty that characterizes this “spiritual sequel” is obviously represented by the peculiar business model chosen by the Irvine giant. Activision Blizzard, following the path that many other publishers have been following for years (moreover successfully), has opted to make Overwatch free and open to all. The free to play formula supported byperiodic injection of contents it simply reflects the modern “game as a service” concept we are all used to.
In this way, the company hopes to be able to guarantee a more constant and lasting support to its creature, monetizing the support and loyalty of the same players who, greet the loot boxes, can convert their real money into Overwatch Coins. This virtual currency is used to purchase both bundles and special offers from the in-game store, as well as the premium version of the Battle Pass which, as usual, rewards the investment with many collectibles and a percentage (20%) of experience after each match. The question is: is the game worth the candle?
During a chat with the development team we were told that the proper length of a season should be nine weeks. In these first days of the title’s life we ​​have therefore thoroughly tested the structure of the Battle Pass to understand if the maximum level (the eightieth) is actually reachable without forcing the grinding of experience through the range of daily, weekly, seasonal, permanent challenges. and related to competitive. The completion of three daily challenges, all quite affordable, allows you to go up one level per day without particular problems (it is 9,000 XP and, for a level, 10,000 XP is required). The 11 weekly quests reward the player with 5,000 XP each, for a total of nearly six levels of the pass. This means that, regardless of the experience derived from completing the matches, they can be climbed every week about 12 levels with only the missions made available. Thinking in terms of pure and simple mathematics, with a daily commitment a player could easily complete the pass before the stroke of the ninth week.
We need a lot of consistency, it must be said, but what the Blizzard guys anticipated a few weeks ago is true: you can gain experience without too much anxiety (or, worse, buying levels with hard cash). The issue to pay attention to, more than anything else, concerns the rewards. The free route it has no big bite and many may turn up their noses seeing Kiriko, the new hero, placed as a reward for reaching level 55 (unlocked at level 1 for premium pass buyers).
Even in this case, however, there is nothing new: many other publishers adopt the exact same model, so we do not feel to blame the choice of Blizzard, especially considering that often in other games the characters can only be unlocked with a direct purchase. At this moment only time and the succession of the Seasons they will be able to tell us if it is a sustainable and profitable model in the medium to long term, or not.
The news
As for the content offer of the title, we can tell you that the game modes do not change much compared to the previous version. For those who have never played Blizzard’s hero shooter, let’s make a quick summary of what the package offers: you can clash in various Arcade sub-categories (including the new Escort mode) that lead players to challenge each other by putting fun first. The non-competitive dimension, on the other hand, allows users to meet challengers with the same skill level. Finally, the competitive section is, of course, reserved for players who want to try their hand at climbing the rankings to be the best at the end of each season.
It must be remembered that those who have never faced the latter (in essence the new players who start their adventure from Overwatch 2) must first play fifty unranked games to unlock it. Once we got on the battlefield it didn’t take us long to notice the most important changes, which change the play experience making it somehow more “fresh”. First of all, the transition to the 5vs5 format represents the most evident change introduced by Blizzard in the gaming field. The roles take on a much greater weight, starting with the tank.
This setup – which essentially deprives the team of a second frontline hero – it noticeably affects the gameplay and on the rhythm of the match, making the team synergy and the ability of the players who decide to play the role of the tank or support acquire particular importance. Furthermore, among the small, large, restructuring interventions of the experience, the “crowd control” effects of the heroes have been eliminated (or reduced) and some problems have been revised in the race that in the last week have unbalanced several fighters such as Bastion.
Regarding the roster, we can tell you that most of the corrective interventions related to the heroes they limited themselves to a few trifles. To have undergone deep rework were only two tanks and an attacker: Orisa – transformed into an unstoppable and extremely mobile war machine – Doomfist and Bastion. So, net of the graphic restyling, the warriors are the same as always. Three, however, are the rookies: Sojourn (which has not managed to thrill us that much, given its similarity with other heroes), the surprising Kiriko – excellent and versatile healer, a truly inspired addition – and the equally fascinating but difficult to master, Queen of the Junker.
Bang bang, Cassidy shot me down
From a technical and stylistic point of view Overwatch 2 does not differ much from its predecessor, as it should be. While maintaining the unmistakable style that distinguishes the IP, the development team has nevertheless contributed a fair range of visual fixes and enhancements on the graphic front, which make the overall glance even more lively and enjoyable.
The general effects are richer and more precise, while the polygonal models of heroes and locations are more refined. For the occasion the developers also have redesigned all fighters, giving them a guise dedicated to this iteration. It doesn’t matter if it looks like a variant like all the others: the effort is still appreciable. All old fans, by combining the profiles on which they played the first Overwatch, will be able to find all the collectibles unlocked over the years. Merging is simple and can be done from the main menu, you just need to wait a little while. The new locations, on the other hand, denote a job more precise and carefulaimed not only at aesthetically characterizing the plan but at rendering each map clear and intuitive. New Queen Street and Colosseum – dedicated to Escort mode, where the two teams must take control of an automaton – and Circuit Royal, Midtown and Esperanca they are perfectly mirrored. The opposite sides of each arena are distinguished by ad hoc aesthetic choices, such as particular colors and architectural elements, so as to allow players to distinguish them immediately.
Furthermore, we were also able to appreciate a fair evolution in the complexity of environmental design, to the benefit of variety in gameplay. Finally, with regard to the deactivation of the aim assist for players with the pad, we must underline that the criticisms are not without foundation. With cross play enabled, the mouse and keyboard have a considerable advantage.
This puts console gamers in trouble, often overshadowed by the pinpoint accuracy of PC opponents. We currently have no news for a possible change of these settings but surely Blizzard will have to review this policy in order not to upset an important range of users.
Overwatch 2PC Analyzed VersionAs 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.
