While Overwatch 2 has gotten some fans excited, others are concerned about the game and the future of the franchise. Some players adore the Push game mode, while others dislike it. Some fans love all the quality-of-life improvements like a ping system and scoreboard, while others feel like the sequel has not changed enough. Some gamers are excited about the jump to free-to-play and the new players it will bring to the game, while others are worried about how microtransactions will be handled.
Alongside all these topics, there are some key areas of controversy for Overwatch 2 that are debated constantly. While it is important to keep in mind that there are fans on both sides of each discussion, many fans are particularly frustrated about three issues. These are the switch to 5v5, the upcoming progression changes, and Blizzard’s new plan for PvE content.
Overwatch 2 Replacing Overwatch and The Switch to 5v5
Before players even got their hands on Overwatch 2’s beta, there was controversy, as the announcement that the game would be switching to a 5v5 format shocked many. The removal of one player on each team meant that each group would only have a single Tank, with several heroes needing reworks to be viable in the new meta. The goal is to give each team less shields and provide players with more frequent team fights, speeding up the gameplay.
While 5v5 has become more popular since fans actually got the chance to try it themselves, the controversy returned when fans learned that the original Overwatch client would be replaced when Overwatch 2 made its debut. This means that fans will never have access to the original Overwatch and the 6v6 format again, meaning those that dislike 5v5 or frequently play in groups of six are out of luck.
Overwatch 2’s Removal of Levels and Loot Boxes
Overwatch 2’s progression changes have also been a source of controversy. The leveling system will be removed completely, something that many are disappointed about since they worked so hard on earning their ranks in the previous game and the player icons were a good way to tell how experienced someone was. Blizzard is hoping that the Battle Pass system will be satisfying enough to gamers so that this will not matter, though its addition will also bring about the removal of Loot Boxes. While flawed, some appreciated the Loot Box system, especially in later years when new items were prioritized and credits could be easily gathered.
Overwatch 2’s New PvE Approach
Lastly, Overwatch 2’s PvE campaign being delayed has disappointed many, as it was the part of the game that truly looked fresh and exciting. Fans will need to wait until 2023 before they can see the Overwatch universe move forward in a big way, though based on what Blizzard has said, there is a chance that a massive co-op campaign could no longer be in the cards. This is because co-op content will be added through the live service model, meaning that fans could see a mission or batch of missions added every few months as opposed to one big content drop. What this means for the skill trees and hero missions that were previously shown off is unclear.
With other points of controversy in the community, like the recent changes to Mercy’s kit in Overwatch 2, Blizzard has a lot to address before and after the game debuts in October. Hopefully, more info will be released that satisfies the parts of the community that are concerned, though these specific controversies will likely be talked about for some time.
Overwatch 2 launches on October 4 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.