The PvP mode for Overwatch 2 has entered its first testing period, and thus far, responses have been mixed. While most have been pleasantly surprised by the switch to 5v5 gameplay and the reworks for heroes like Orisa, many have agreed that Support heroes need changes. On top of this, a debate is raging as to whether the game is worth being called a sequel.
From the outside looking in, Overwatch 2 looks incredibly similar to the original game, leading many to joke that it is simply the same game with a new number attached. However, there are a few reasons that this criticism is flawed, with the biggest being that players are only seeing some of the additions and changes within the first beta. When the game finally releases, it could absolutely be deserving of its title.
Overwatch 2’s PvP Changes Are Clear To Experienced Players
For casual Overwatch fans or those that have only watched the game instead of playing it themselves, it makes sense to see complaints that it feels too familiar. While there are noticeable visual and audio improvements, they are not game changing, and many of the same maps return with a change in weather. While these visual adjustments are nice and add some variety, the freshness of seeing a daytime map at night will wear off quickly.
However, those that have put hundreds of hours into Overwatch have proven to be far more positive on the beta, as they can appreciate all the changes that are being made to the core gameplay loop. With a switch to 5v5, Overwatch 2 feels far more fast paced, with a completely different meta emerging alongside some more action-packed matches. Massive hero reworks like the ones for Orisa and Bastion make them feel like entirely new heroes, while the changes to Doomfist and Sombra ensure they are more fun to play.
Aside from Overwatch veterans being able to notice all the hero adjustments and reworks more easily, there is new content coming to the game that is far easier to recognize. Four new maps, the new Push game mode, and Sojourn are all featured within the first beta, and future betas will likely add more heroes and maps to the mix. Though it is certainly true that new heroes and maps used to be added to Overwatch regularly, and that all of this content could just be a massive update if Blizzard wanted, PvP is not the reason an Overwatch sequel is happening.
Overwatch 2’s PvE is Why a Sequel is Happening
The main attraction of Overwatch 2 is its PvE campaign, something that is set to provide hours of content and a whole new way to play. While it is not featured in the beta, and it has been some time since Blizzard has talked about it, everything shown in the past looks promising. Aside from a new story and major lore reveals, players can expect hundreds of side missions in Overwatch 2, skill trees to make each hero more powerful than they are in multiplayer, and a large variety of enemies and objectives.
Judging Overwatch 2 based on the PvP alone is an odd move, especially since the first beta only features some of the new maps and heroes that the sequel will be adding. The best way to think about Overwatch 2 is to consider the PvE mode as the new game, with the PvP content being an added bonus. With Overwatch 2, Blizzard is able to shake up the meta and add a lot of new PvP content at once, focusing on improving aspects of the original game that didn’t work or adding requested features like Overwatch 2's ping system. The main focus of the sequel will ultimately be on PvE, though, so judging the game as a whole based on the initial beta makes little sense. Only when all the PvP content has been shown off and the PvE is in players’ hands can it be determined if Overwatch 2 is a worthy sequel or not.
Overwatch 2 is currently in development.
