The recently released Overwatch 2 has received a massive amount of attention since its early access launch on October 4, with the troubled debut reinvigorating the fan base of the franchise. Although the game has received criticism for its current lack of fresh content when compared to its predecessor, the title recently began its seasonal Halloween Terror in-game event.
While many fans of Overwatch 2 were excited to finally get some wholly unique content for the new title, the immediate reception of the new Halloween event has been rather lackluster, to say the least. With a disappointing amount of achievable content and many of the more attractive items being locked behind paywalls, it is understandable why this new event has been regarded as concerning to many fans.
Overwatch 2's Launch Issues
Overwatch 2 is the recently released shock sequel to 2016's popular shooter Overwatch, with the sequel maintaining most of the core class-based arena first-person gameplay of its predecessor. Crucially, Overwatch 2 was released in a free-to-play state, moving away from its previous lootbox system in favor of a more contemporary seasonal battle pass as its main monetization strategy.
Many characterize this new sequel as being overly similar to the original Overwatch, but the new game has offered fresh content already in the form of new maps, a new game mode called Push, and new playable heroes in Junker Queen, Sojourn, and Kiriko. That being said, the main gameplay element that is set to separate Overwatch 2 from its predecessor is its ambitious new PvE mode.
Set for a 2023 release, the PvE mode for Overwatch 2 will provide players with periodically released story-driven missions, in which players will work co-operatively against AI forces in a variety of settings. This PvE mode is essentially a campaign for Overwatch 2 and will be the main driving force behind updates to the lore and characters of the franchise.
Overwatch 2's Controversial Halloween Terror Event
Overwatch 2 recently began its anticipated Halloween Terror event on October 25, which is set to run until November 8. Seasonal Halloween events have long been a staple of the Overwatch franchise, with fans being doubly excited for the sequel's first major seasonal content due to nostalgia for past events.
Historically, these Halloween events were typified as a fun way to complete challenges and earn seriously attractive rewards such as skins, but the most recent Halloween Terror event has done the opposite. Players can still earn rewards throughout this event by completing challenges tied to the seasonal co-op mission Wrath of the Bride, however, these free rewards are limited to things such as sprays, battle pass XP, and voice lines.
It is impossible to earn any Halloween cosmetic skins, which were previously a staple of Halloween Terror events, without spending money, an element of the new event that has left a sour taste with lots of Overwatch fans. While Halloween cosmetics have been created for most heroes, they are all only obtainable via purchase from the in-game store, typifying the new monetization route that characterizes the game.
Despite its free-to-play nature, the overt similarities between Overwatch 2 and its predecessor have left many yearning for a return of the original's lootbox system, in which players could unlock a reasonable amount of skins through gameplay without spending money. While this new Halloween Event has provided fans with much-needed content, it has largely had the unintended effect of stirring up more nostalgia for the original title and the wider accessibility it held in regard to cosmetics.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.