Blizzard has released an update for a new April Fools' Day game mode now available via Overwatch 2's Arcade. April Fools' Day is starting early in Overwatch 2, but maybe not in the way many might expect. Many players might be expecting a joke or something silly, something that Blizzard never intended for players to take seriously. Instead, Blizzard is taking the opportunity to do something experimental, trying out new Overwatch 2 gameplay ideas under the guise of a funny holiday event.Longtime Overwatch players are likely familiar with Blizzard's popular Experimental game modes. These limited-time events would allow Blizzard or guests to destroy Overwatch's precarious balance, trying out new design ideas and allowing players to see if they worked in a competitive environment. Almost none of these Experimental changes made their way to Overwatch's live servers, but they may have helped Blizzard with its Overwatch 2 reworks.The philosophy that drove Overwatch's Experimental mode appears to have returned in Overwatch 2 for April Fools' Day. The official name of the game mode is "Temp - Next Balance Patch - Final_Final23" and it's framed like Blizzard accidentally uploaded the new mode. Even the patch notes are labeled with a "Do Not Publish" warning. Regardless, the April Fools' Day game mode has balance changes, as well as new Ultimate voice lines, for every Overwatch 2 hero.
Examples of changes that Blizzard has made include making Ramattra's Nemesis Form permanent, Reinhardt's Charge granting him flight, Genji sometimes healing himself when he asks for healing, and Zenyatta launching himself through the air when using his Snap Kick. Suffice to say, Blizzard is embracing some of the Overwatch 2 community's favorite jokes for its April Fools' Day mode.
While some of these changes are clearly quite silly, others are very intriguing. Widowmaker's changes make her critical hits turn into damage-over-time poison, with poisoned opponents visible through walls. This could work in Overwatch 2's main modes. It addresses frustrations with one-shot headshots, but also empowers Widow in a new way. In that regard, Blizzard is perhaps evaluating changes it could make in future Overwatch 2 reworks.
It's unclear how long the April Fools' Day mode will last in Overwatch 2. It certainly isn't a permanent mode. It may end after April Fools' Day on April 1, or it could last a week. Overwatch 2 players should give it a try, if only to change things up for a little while. Plus, if one of Blizzard's changes is genuinely exciting, let Blizzard know and maybe it could be considered for the future.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
