New characters, mythic skins, heroic missions and free-to-play: here's our practical guide to everything you need to know about Overwatch 2
It's been a while since the announcement at Blizzcon in 2019, which is why a small recap of what you need to know about Overwatch 2 it might be convenient for you. Of course, the different elements are many, including new characters and new modes. The most striking, perhaps, is the transition to a free-to-play business model: a strategy around which the entire experience will revolve right from the conception stages. Finding out is not easy, and compiling all this information into a handy list is not easy. On the other hand, though, when did this ever stop us from at least trying?
The release period
Overwatch 2 is already out, but there is one thing you may not know. Unless you have followed the development of the game assiduously, in fact, the one that opened on October 4th is nothing more than an early access phase. This, in layman's terms, means an emphasis on pure PvP multiplayer, that is clashes between the players only. As for the modalities PvE (Acronym for Player versus Environment, like the half of Fortnite which has now become a mere secondary mode), it is not mentioned before next year. The game's availability extends to all platforms on which the predecessor is playable (including Nintendo Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X / S).
Free-to-play - what to know about Overwatch 2
Well yes: if there is one thing that is now difficult not to know is the passage of Overwatch 2 to free-to-play. The predecessor's microtransaction structure in fact eliminated (with no regrets, we would dare to say) the loot boxes in favor of a more traditional in-game item shop last August. The available content, in addition to the various “battle passes” of the case, also extends to the PvE elements of the case. That the management of the availability of objects follows the same draconian timing of Fortnite, then, is another matter. And it will only be time to answer this question of ours.
The predecessor - what to know about Overwatch 2
What about Overwatch, then? Will the first game be free-to-play? In a sense, yes, if we want to see it this way. In fact, the first chapter technically it will no longer exist. There are more ways to describe the same thing, but it's like the second chapter is a colossal update of the first. There is no reason to melt in nostalgia, though; on the contrary, this atypical sequel thus ensures that all players can find themselves online with their fellow soldiers (and their opponents). And speaking of playing together, there is another burning topic that we have not touched on.
Cross-play - what to know about Overwatch 2
With the advent of online gaming, console manufacturers have learned (some with the good luck, some with the bad) that gamers are not really fond of barriers. In other words yes, in Overwatch 2 the cross-play. Whichever platform you prefer, you can experience the thrill of a snout even if your friends prefer another position for the X key. Again, it remains to be seen if that won't, sooner or later, arouse. the necessary fussiness about the disproportionate advantage of those who use the mouse and keyboard (or the advantage of the aiming corrector on consoles).
Battle Pass - what to know about Overwatch 2
With the advent of this semi-sequel, the game officially enters the game design model in brackets. The breakdown into seasons will bring with it a unique theme and at least eighty new content every nine weeks. If you prefer a more suitable unit of measurement, try two months and one week. Battle passes are used to obtain these contents, and in this case we are talking about a free pass including a new playable hero by touching level 55. Of course there is also a “premium” version of the pass. For one thousand game coins (roughly ten cucuzze) you will have access to more content, 15% more experience and instant access to the new hero. In later seasons, previous heroes can be obtained through weekly challenges or a direct purchase.
Weekly challenges - what to know about Overwatch 2
Since the term “free-to-play” will have to have a meaning, it's possible (and sacrosanct) that you don't want to burn your salary (or pocket money, if that's the case) on your premium battle pass. Overwatch Coins are obtainable in the aforementioned Weekly Challenges. You can find them in a separate menu from the main one, where they will be listed together with the obtainable coins. It is, in a nutshell, an equivalent of the trophies or objectives (not that these are missing), and range from the simple "win a game" to "play ten games as heroes out of the three you use the most" . With all due diligence, you could earn the premium pass by playing.
Beta test - what to know about Overwatch 2
The first Beta test was held last spring, giving players a chance to try out all the heroes, from new ones to refurbished veterans. At the end of the tests, Blizzard made a report talking about the use of the heroes (with a good 80% dedicated to new faces), the victory rate for each of them, and the various balances of the case. We saw another test in June, with a new look dedicated to the novice Junker Queen. Missing is only Kiriko, who is only available in the full game. And speaking of news, there is much more to talk about ...
New modes… - what to know about Overwatch 2
The news is certainly not lacking, especially if you are used to the predecessor (or if you haven't opened it for a long time, for that matter). We have a brand new mode called Push, in which two teams battle to escort a robot into enemy territory. The winner is the one who makes the most of the way at the end of the match. Since the robot follows a precise path, the barriers it will encounter must be pushed to unlock the checkpoints: there, the respawn of the players allows them to do less road. In general, the game points more towards team fights of five (compared to the previous 6-on-6), although there are new arenas for each mode.
… And new maps - what to know about Overwatch 2
Since the new composition of the teams will allow only one tank for each of them, the new course of the clashes boasts in fact maps suitable for various novelties. The development team wanted to make sure that players had a "completely new" experience, to the point of bringing them into the first Overwatch as well. We saw some of them already last May, while a few weeks ago we witnessed the reveal of the last one, Esperança. The others are Gothenburg, Toronto, Monte Carlo, Rio de Janeiro, New York and, to top it off, none other than Rome.
Roam the streets of Rome in Overwatch 2.
Points of interest:
️ Colosseum
⛲ Beautiful fountains
Zephyrus Vs. Maximus pic.twitter.com/aqWLERRl6f
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) May 20, 2021
Missions - what to know about Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2's new feature is the history missions, or assignments of a more narrative nature. These are ad hoc PvE missions in which players will have to limit themselves to a context-dependent roster of characters. Each single mission will have an introductory and a final video. Similarly, as a PvE novelty we also have the hero missions, conceived as “highly replayable” thanks to three factors established by the directors of Overwatch 2. We allude to a great variety of locations between old and new maps, to diversified objectives and unpublished enemies. Versatility with characters pays off!
Ping system - what to know about Overwatch 2
If in the past telling your classmates what to do and where to go has proved difficult, you will be happy to know that the ping system of this sequel has been greatly improved. Communication between fellow soldiers is everything to be able to prevail over the opponents, and that is why Blizzard itself has emphasized an unprecedented variety for the commands to be given. This momentum of pure strategy is due to Blizzard's mantra: "Every voice counts." Proving it with facts in a game is one thing, but as for the troubled background of the development team… we'll get to that at the end of the article.
Tool system - what to know about Overwatch 2
The new system of instruments is exclusive to narrative missions. Instead of having a Diablo-like loot system in their hands, Overwatch 2 players will be able to manage their tools in the same way as games like Apex Legends and PUBG. According to Blizzard's Kaplan, the collection of temporary items lasts until the end of the mission. These are weapons such as corrosive grenades and healing stations as well as barriers. Of course, Fortnite has made school here too: the degree of the various weapons depends on their overall quality. The most talented players will have the upper hand ...
Talent system - what to know about Overwatch 2
Heroic Missions also boast their own unique feature. The system of progress of the talents grants heroes to level up and gain additional abilities. Of course, the latter are not designed for the competitive scene, as evidenced by the obvious advantages they allow. For example, Tracer at level 1 only enjoys an adaptive reload (which reloads its pulse guns using any skill) and a chain reaction with pulse bombs. Once he hits 20, his cooldown times accelerate with each elimination.
Heroes, come on - what to know about Overwatch 2
- playable heroes they are not just veterans, on the contrary. In addition to the roster of the first Overwatch, this sequel includes new faces such as Sojourn, Junker Queen and Kiriko. Sojourn is the game's first black woman and first Canadian, and is "the centerpiece of the story" according to Kaplan. In addition to this medium-range combat expert we have Junker Queen, a new tank equipped with a rifle and ax. JK can heal her wounds by dealing damage to others. The latest arrival (at launch), the ninja Kiriko, can heal herself by throwing ofuda talismans at her companions, hitting enemies with very precise throwing kunai, and finally enjoying an area where she is temporarily empowered.
Skins and progress - what to know about Overwatch 2
Blizzard's Kaplan previously confirmed that every progress and aesthetic element from the first Overwatch will be carried over to the second. According to him, in fact, “the intention is to make sure that your every progress is maintained. Nothing and no one will be left behind. " Of course you will have to put yours too, and that is why your account will have to be linked to a Battlenet profile. Your zeal will be rewarded, though: you can also expect new skins for the heroes who return from the previous chapter. In other words, therefore, practically everyone wins!
Mythical skins - what to know about Overwatch 2
In addition to these skins, the game adds others defined as "mythical skins". According to the director Aaron Keller, these are skins of higher rank than the legendary ones. All this translates into dynamic visual effects for your characters (however little the flashiness in a shooter can pay). Not only that, players will also be able to customize them, altering only the parts they deem most appropriate. An example are the tattoos of the characters, which can be deactivated at will. The mask of Genji's skin, then, opens (with all the dynamic effects of the case) as soon as he activates his Ultimate him. There is something for everyone.
The implications for already active players - what to know about Overwatch 2
Given the intention to keep the community together (and avoid a diaspora between players of the first and second chapter), the users of Overwatch and that of the sequel will be able to play together in the same PvP mode. The new maps will also go to the predecessor, and the same goes for the new heroes and the new Push competitive mode. Since the borderline between the two games is pretty blurry, we should specify what exactly is exclusive in tow. The PvE modes, in case you were wondering, will only appear in the youngest son of the Blizzard family. How else do the two games stand out, though?
Hero redesign - what to know about Overwatch 2
This sequel does not boast a brand new game engine. Instead, it is a “decidedly updated” version of the backbone of the predecessor. The interface will therefore be new for all heroes, who also boast gods redesign. An example of this are Sombra and Bastion, who received a special trailer. We do not speak only of "design" intended as character design, but also as a game design in its entirety. The changes to the characters in fact also alter their skills in combat, from the output of damage to the functioning of some of their moves (Ultimate or not).
Jeff Kaplan and Aaron Keller - what to know about Overwatch 2
After twenty years at Blizzard, the director Jeff Kaplan announced his resignation from the company in April 2021. In addition to working on other Blizzard titles, including World of Warcraft and Warcraft 3, Kaplan has been pretty much the face of the franchise since the release of the first game in 2016. His departure from the team represents a major jolt in the development of the two. titles, to the point that it came naturally to us to say “Blizzard Kaplan” in the previous paragraphs out of habit. Thankfully, with the arrival of Aaron Keller, we know that the series is in more than good hands.
Blizzard in the storm
There is one thing we alluded to in this general summary, with the promise to return to it: as you should know, Overwatch 2 is born in the middle of not indifferent travails by Activision and Blizzard. We know well what emerged in the summer of 2021, between sexist (and sexual in toto) scandals and related cover-ups. The gaming industry has reacted accordingly, from internal protests to complaints to CEO Bobby Kotick. The peak of it all dates back to last January 18, when Microsoft has announced the acquisition of Activision, Blizzard and King. Resulting in (although only very likely) Kotick's dismissal.
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