Overwatch 2 early impressions: It’s still Overwatch

Yes, it’s true: OverwatchThis site is closing on October 2. And after a daylong maintenance period, it’ll be forever replaced with Overwatch 2. The transition from the original to the sequel of a game is not as easy as going from Last of Us To Part 2 of “The Last of Us” — one story is not building upon another. Take a look at Overwatch 2This add-on is designed to be used in conjunction with the original. It includes a number of important adjustments.

If Overwatch 2 is released on Oct. 4, players will immediately jump into largely the same competitive and casual queues they’re already accustomed to. While there are some new maps, most of the older ones can still be played. There’s also a new mode called Push, which is basically an iteration on Escort. Players are now competing to control a robot-sized robot. The goal is not to escort a truck across a map. Many of the heroes’ stats have been tweaked and their abilities modified. Blizzard, for instance, removed many of the heroes’ abilities. Overwatch’s stun abilities. Mei’s ice gun won’t freeze enemies solid anymore, and Cassidy’s no longer got a flashbang.

Matches now feature five rather than six players. While this doesn’t affect the actual mechanics of each character all that much, it absolutely shakes up the overall strategy of each match. This is more important than any other aspect. Overwatch 2It feels much quicker than Overwatch. Even though tanks are now harder to destroy, the speed of play feels chaotic — in a good way — when playing a damage-dealing hero. Pair that with the new hero Kiriko’s ultimate ability, which speeds up movement and fire rate, and you’ve got matches that unfold at breakneck speed.

Coming into Overwatch 2As a former dedicated but now lapsed member Overwatch player, the differences don’t necessarily feel large enough to call Overwatch 2This is a new way to play the game. But they do challenge habits that have remained since I last picked up the game in 2018; I may have been a player deeply enamored with Mei’s ice gun, and I relied on it a lot to freeze players solid. Overwatch 2, in that case, means rethinking how I play a character like Mei — and this thought process and those adjustments extend to how I play other heroes, too.

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

It’s worth noting that, because I’d played OverwatchI opened my mouth. Overwatch 2You can access all of the Heroes already Unlocked during the Press Access Period. The new players will be introduced Overwatch 2You can unlock 13 heroes by playing certain games. For example, Mei can be unlocked after you have played 70 games. Your progress will double if those games are won. Echo can be unlocked after you have played 150 games. What’s more, if a new player is grouped up with someone who has already unlocked the whole roster, the roster will be open for the whole squad for the time you’re playing together.

I was initially bummed that new players won’t immediately be able to play as certain heroes, limiting the amount of character-switching that’s sometimes necessary to get through — and win — a round of Overwatch. But I’ve come around to the idea that this does make Overwatch 2It is easier for new players to grasp, as they might not find Wrecking balls difficult to learn. You should also consider new players probably won’t be character-switching to counter the enemy team at this stage anyway.

It’s been so long since I played the original Overwatch that it’s hard to determine whether Overwatch 2 is “better” than its predecessor. The updates are nice, and it’s refreshing to learn new maps and new heroes — to hear new voice lines and find frequent lore surprises. But regardless of whether it’s “better” or not, Overwatch 2It’s still fun to play. Landing a D.Va bomb is still thrilling. Just what it says where you planned it, or to feel like you’ve gained a superpower when you unleash Hanzo headshots like a pro.

I’m excited to try the still-to-come PvE mode, which could make or break Overwatch 2’s reputation as a true sequel. The game’s contagious energy, however, will continue to be the best. Overwatch is still a game that’s incredibly successful due to its sheer speed and firepower.

Overwatch 2 The game will release on October 4th on Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Blizzard Entertainment gave the pre-release download code. The PC version of the game was tested. Vox Media also has affiliate relationships. Although these partnerships do not impact editorial content, Vox Media could earn commissions on products sold via affiliate links. Here are some links to help you find. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.