Overwatch 2 may not have received incredible review scores like its predecessor, but with an 80 on Metacritic, its early access build clearly has some strengths. As gamers wait for Overwatch 2’s PvE content, many have found enjoyment in the quality of life changes like the ping system, scoreboard, and special HUDs for Mercy and Zenyatta. A free-to-play launch has also revived the Overwatch fan base, raising the player count significantly. While 5v5 and Push are more divisive, many do love both of them. However, it does not outdo the first Overwatch in every way.
While Overwatch 2 has some slightly cleaner visuals, far better sound design, and improved lighting for all its maps, it does not manage to outdo its predecessor in some important areas. A few of these weak points are obvious, with the community calling out the glaring issues every chance it gets. Others are smaller, though they are noticeable for longtime fans of Blizzard’s iconic hero shooter.
Overwatch’s Monetization Was Less Problematic Than OW2’s
It is a surprise to see that Overwatch’s loot box system would be missed in 2022, but that is the reality of the situation given the sequel’s high price points for all its cosmetics. Though the loot box system was far from perfect, as gamers could not buy the new event items they wanted outright unless they earned an extreme amount of credits from opening boxes, being able to earn skins at all was exciting. In the sequel, that is not really viable.
Not only are free skins limited to Twitch drops and Overwatch League viewing hours, but the prices for paid skins have grown across the board. Though the Overwatch 2 battle pass has a very fair price tag, everything else is absurd, with old legendary skins costing roughly $20 and small cosmetics like weapon charms pricing at $7. Bundles in the store are equally ridiculous, leading to player protests of the costly item shop.
Adding to the controversy around Witch Kiriko and other cosmetics is the fact that credits can hardly be earned through gameplay, with gamers limited to a laughably low 60 coins per week. This means that gamers will have to spend several months playing the game and doing weekly challenges for a single skin, which has understandably resulted in disappointment. After adjustments were mare to reduce duplicates, the loot box system in the original Overwatch was seen as consumer friendly and even generous, with gamers constantly earning loot boxes through leveling up and playing in the arcade. Until players get a way to earn more coins, or prices are drastically lowered in the shop, monetization will remain Overwatch 2’s biggest flaw.
Overwatch’s Events Were More Exciting Than OW2’s
Unfortunately, these monetization issues extend to the events of the sequel. Though Overwatch 2’s Halloween Terror 2022 might be so limited because it started closely to the game’s official release, and future events could potentially be better, fans have reason to be concerned if it is indicative of the new norm. For starters, only a few skins have been added, which is a far cry from the 6-10 new skins featured in the previous years’ events.
While Witch Kiriko, Executioner Junker Queen, and Reaper’s two new looks are good-looking skins, fans were hoping for a lot more from the event. After all, one character getting two outfits is a bit odd, even if one of them was a makeup gift for Overwatch 2’s server problems. Beyond just a larger and more varied skin count, though, players are devastated that no skins are earnable through actual gameplay.
In past events, players could earn some epic purple-quality outfits by just playing a few games a week, with wins allowing them to reach the item faster. Sadly, despite there being plenty of fun challenges to enjoy within the Wrath of the Bride mission, none of them see players rewarded with Halloween costumes for their favorite heroes. Though having no unlockable skins in the base game is problematic, limiting unlockable event cosmetics to charms, sprays, voice lines, and namecards is truly abysmal.
Overwatch’s Post Match Approach and On Fire System Are Sorely Missed in OW2
One area where Overwatch 2 is lacking is in its post match system, as once the play of the game has been shown, the match abruptly ends. In the original Overwatch, players had a chance to see just how well the best players on both teams did, with hero cards showing stats like most time on the point, most healing done, and so on. Gamers could then vote for the best contributors on either team, allowing unsung heroes like supports to get a bit more credit since play of the game usually goes to one of the other two roles. Being able to praise the other team in Overwatch was a nice bonus, but for whatever reason gamers are no longer able to endorse the opposition in the sequel.
Alongside the hero cards being tossed out the window, the on fire system has been removed. This is another odd choice since there are still voice lines for when heroes are on fire, including new ones for characters like Kiriko. Though the on fire system did not add much beyond telling players that they were doing well, it did not hurt to have in place, which has seen some Overwatch 2 players pushing for the on fire mechanic to return. Though gold medals going away is understandable given the conflict they often caused, the on fire system and hero cards had no real downsides.
Though bugs have seen Bastion and Mei temporarily disabled, this is nothing new, as D.Va had to be disabled in the original Overwatch due to some problems. However, some of the sequel’s other weakness might not be temporary, as Blizzard chose to remove popular features and introduce some questionable systems. If it is not willing to add things like end of match cards back, and if the studio does not budge on its approach to microtransactions, Overwatch 2 will always be a mixed bag - a step forward in many ways, but a step back in others.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.