I think I spent the most time in Overwatch 2 this year. The hype that Blizzard had built up before the release grabbed me and continued to grow and thrive in me until the day of days, October 4th. Sure, the launch was a bit bumpy, but apart from that I had a lot of fun with this shooter, where the skills finally have a really big impact again. Sure, Overwatch 2 isn’t a completely new game, but it got me really carried away in this rather quiet gaming year. Maybe through nostalgia, but maybe also because my old companion is finally unfolding its potential and blossoming. After all, the earlier Overwatch was withering with its backward monetization concept.
That’s why Overwatch 2 is my highlight of 2022
From my point of view, Blizzard has done a lot of things right with Overwatch 2 so far. The matches are faster, clearer and more engaging while the hurdle to get started is set as low as possible. You don’t have to wave the bills first, you can just grab a hero and jump into the fray. Yes, the heroes are really something I’ve missed in many other competitive shooters. They are so lively, so authentic and have a high recognition value. That’s exactly what Blizzard has stuck to and built on this basis. That’s what makes the release so special for me. He’s just done well and so far the team has kept their promises.
So far I’ve particularly enjoyed the new tank Ramattra, who can often eliminate three or four opponents in his ult. Twice “Play of the Game” within one session strengthened the bond between me and Ramattra. Sojourn, one of Season 1’s new heroes, is also one of my favorite picks for the damage role. It has fairly simple gameplay mechanics, is mobile, and deals a lot of damage – perfect for someone like me who is rarely seen on the carry reel. Phew, and the new skins. Aaron Keller and his team are currently putting a lot of heart and soul into Overwatch 2 to really get the successor rolling. I really hope that motivation doesn’t suddenly drop again after the first two or three years.
I’m extremely excited about the PvE part that’s coming next year. The story of the heroes is sometimes very complex and offers material for epic and compelling storylines, such as in Destiny 2. Hopefully it will also be a bit dark and thought-provoking. Game Director Aaron Keller has already given one or two small hints in our interview. In terms of gameplay, however, it should be a little slower and more complex than the Halloween challenges that you just ran through. But I’m not worried about that, because PvE mode certainly won’t get as much of a focus on blunt replayability.
For me, Overwatch 2 is again part of my fixed rotation of multiplayer games, with which I can pass the time in the evening. The fast laps are great for an hour of Battle Pass grind and then it’s on to the next title – or to bed if you can somehow resist the third final lap. But the game is also great for long sessions, because the map rotation and the constant adaptation of the heroes make the rounds so varied. So far, I’m definitely happy that Overwatch 2 is back as a competitive shooter, filling a gap that has existed in the FPS landscape for years.
