Highlights

  • Overwatch 2 stands out for vibrant characters & lore, but needs to capitalize on narrative potential for longevity.
  • Removal of hero mastery gauntlet mode signals potential issues for PvE missions in Overwatch 2.
  • Concord's weekly in-game lore drops could inspire Blizzard to deepen Overwatch 2's universe through diverse formats.

Overwatch 2 has been a mixed bag since launching in October 2022. Despite attracting millions of players, and garnering a steady community on Steam, the game's battle pass system and missing PvE features have disappointed some. Regardless, Overwatch 2 stands out from other hero shooters due to its vibrant characters and compelling lore.

Overwatch 2's setting of a near-future Earth is undeniably intriguing, but Blizzard has yet to fully capitalize on the game's narrative potential. While the franchise was a breath of fresh air for hero shooters in 2016, it could learn from some of the more recent titles. For instance, games like Concord are primed to offer features that could enhance Overwatch 2's storytelling.

Overwatch 2 Abandoning Hero Mastery Gauntlet Final Nail in Coffin for PvE
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Overwatch 2 Abandoning Hero Mastery Gauntlet May Be The Final Nail in The Coffin For PvE

Overwatch 2's hero mastery gauntlet mode will be removed at the end of the current season, which sounds like bad news for PvE missions.

Overwatch 2 Shouldn't Be Afraid To Borrow Features From Games Of The Same Genre

Overwatch 2 May Not Be Reaching Its Full Narrative Potential

Overwatch's initial launch success stemmed in part from its thrilling gameplay and immersive maps, but Blizzard's cinematics truly ignited player passion. Initially intended as promotional pieces, these cinematics blossomed into something more. Animated shorts like Dragons featuring Hanzo and Genji became series staples, alongside tragic origin stories like Sigma and Illari.

Over time, some fans have expressed concern that Blizzard isn't doing enough to nurture Overwatch's lore. This is especially evident when compared to other titles like Fallout, The Last of Us, and League of Legends, which have received dedicated TV shows. While Overwatch 2 launched the animated mini-series GENESIS to promote the Invasion missions in Season 6, it didn't offer the same level of in-depth storytelling.

Blizzard is still releasing content such as "Overwatch 2: Heroes Ascendant: An Overwatch Story Collection" and various comics. However, these forms of media aren't widely accessible to their player base. Consequently, it seems the developers might be grappling with a problem that Concord, an upcoming hero shooter from Firewalk Studios, is already addressing.

Concord Has The Perfect Solution For Overwatch's Lore Enthusiasts

Concord Character Lineup

While still awaiting its official launch, Concord garnered significant attention from the gaming community following its reveal during May's PlayStation State of Play. With many calling it a fusion of Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, it's easy to see why the sci-fi shooter is making headlines. One particularly intriguing feature, especially for Overwatch 2 fans concerned about lore development, is Concord's promise of in-game lore drops.

Not only is Concord taking a bold approach to its lore with narrative updates that progress individual character arcs, but it's claiming that this will be a weekly occurrence. According to Firewalk Studios, the idea is to have short cinematic vignettes that depict Concord's characters' motives and lives outside of gameplay scenarios. For players who like to understand their characters on a deeper level, this is certainly a cause for celebration.

Drawing inspiration from Concord's approach, Blizzard could implement a similar system of weekly in-game lore drops. The positive reception for plot-related entries found in the Overwatch 2 Missions tab and Intel Database suggests that the community would be receptive to more frequent narrative updates. Given the existing popularity of Overwatch's characters, Blizzard could introduce a range of weekly, in-game lore drops without a significant investment. This could include bite-sized content like comics, images, text logs, or the occasional animated vignette. Such diverse formats would likely resonate well with the community and deepen their connection to the game's universe.