Overwatch 2 is formally dropping the “2” from its identify. The sport is getting into a “new story-driven period” with a year-long story, 10 new heroes, and a significant overhaul, and now it is all simply Overwatch.
Introduced throughout as we speak’s Overwatch Highlight, Blizzard revealed the primary year-long storyline titled “The Reign of Talon.” Actually, the plot will give attention to Talon, a hostile pressure, taking up the world whereas Overwatch continues to battle again. In-game occasions, hero trailers, animated comics, brief tales, and map updates inform a narrative spanning six seasons that unfolds all year long, beginning with the introduction of 5 new heroes on February 10, when Season 1 begins. On the Talon facet, new heroes embrace Domina (tank), Emre (harm), and Mizuki (assist), whereas Overwatch provides Unran (harm) and Jetpack Cat (assist). Extra heroes will be a part of sooner or later, with new heroes added in every of Seasons 2-6. The brand new story arc is scheduled to start with one other season 1 in 2027.
Different updates embrace a brand new meta occasion referred to as Conquest. On this occasion, gamers select to belong to both Overwatch or Talon for 5 weeks and compete for rewards reminiscent of loot containers, skins, titles, and extra. There can even be a significant UI and UX overhaul with a brand new hero foyer and the promise of quicker navigation. There can even be a Howdy Kitty-themed in-game occasion from February tenth to twenty third.
Beneath these circumstances, Blizzard has formally eliminated the “2” from “Overwatch 2” and has determined to seek advice from it as “Overwatch” to any extent further. The press launch explains: “Overwatch is greater than only a quantity. It is a dwelling world that continues to develop, proceed to shock, and continues to draw gamers from all over the world. This 12 months marks a significant turning level in how our growth staff envisions the way forward for Overwatch, so we’re formally retiring 2 and transferring ahead as Overwatch.”
The newly dubbed Overwatch can even be obtainable in an upgraded Nintendo Change 2 model within the spring. (Presently, the unique Overwatch and Overwatch 2 are each obtainable on the Nintendo Change, or Change 2, however there aren’t any devoted Change 2 upgrades.)
It is smart that Blizzard would need to put an finish to the struggles of Overwatch 2. The sequel/improved model of the favored hero shooter Overwatch launched in 2016 and hit the gates, initially seeing an enormous improve in participant numbers, however that quantity dwindled the next 12 months. Over time, person critiques complained about a lot of points, together with controversy over monetization and the cancellation of the sport’s long-awaited PvE hero mode. The sport has seen modes, options, and plans come and go through the years, however this is not the primary main overhaul Blizzard has introduced. The actual fact is that Overwatch 2 would not fairly stay as much as the hype degree of its predecessor, Overwatch, and this might be an try on Blizzard’s half to recapture a few of that glory, particularly with a give attention to story.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter at videogameaddicted. Do you’ve any story ideas? Ship it to rvalentine@videogameaddicted.com.