Overwatch 2 may be entering early access on October 4, but all the content the sequel is bringing will not be available from the get-go. Though players will get to enjoy several new maps, the Push game mode, and the still-unrevealed Fox hero, PvE content is not being released until next year. Further, it is unclear how exactly the content drops are going to be handled once they do begin.
While Overwatch 2 originally was planned to have a large campaign with hundreds of additional Hero missions, that plan has changed, as waves of content drops will see parts of one large story being told. With the Seasons in Overwatch 2 spanning multiple months, though, it will not take long for the co-op content to get old if these waves bring a small amount of PvE content. To keep fans busy, Blizzard could strive to deliver a multi-mission chain with each Season that focuses on a batch of characters not used in the main story.
Overwatch 2 Can Tell Multiple Stories Through Co-Op
The Overwatch universe is full of interesting heroes and memorable characters, which is something that a single campaign was always going to struggle with. Some characters were surely going to be given small roles or be left out of the narrative entirely, but thankfully, a live service opportunity presents an opportunity to keep adding more story content. Alongside the segmented version of the original campaign, smaller campaigns could occasionally be released that focus on other characters.
For instance, Overwatch 2’s planned story will see the new version of the organization battling another Omnic invasion, so it is hard to imagine every character being involved in this conflict. After all, there are several characters that are unaffiliated with Overwatch, and even if Talon is battled alongside the Omnics, some characters would surely be sidelined since they remain neutral and have no ties to either group.
Overwatch 2 releasing a second batch of PvE levels later on in every Season would be ideal, especially if these missions come together to tell a brief but cohesive story. For instance, a mini-campaign could focus entirely on the Junkers, allowing players to control Junkrat, Roadhog, Wrecking Ball, and the Junker Queen. This group of characters could need to stop a returning Junker King, who was exiled after the events of Junker Queen’s animated short. This mini-campaign could bring Junker mechs to fight, changing things up from the usual Omnics, and the King himself could be a final boss.
A Talon-focused campaign could prove a bit difficult given the group’s focus on chaos and terrorism, but it would be an interesting way to flesh out the villains. Conversations between Doomfist, Reaper, Widowmaker, and Sigma could prove incredibly interesting, with other members like Moira and Sombra able to be involved for additional missions. Whichever characters are not in the group could communicate over the radio or serve as AI companions, assisting players with whatever Doomfist has planned.
These mini campaigns could extend far beyond the straightforward concept of Overwatch vs. evil robots, delivering some major character development for certain groups of characters. Being able to play as the rest of D.Va’s MEKA squad could be entertaining, while seeing Zenyatta and Mercy help Hanzo and Genji restore their relationship could prove meaningful. Ana, Cassidy, and Soldier 76 mentoring a younger character like Pharah on a mission could be fun, too, as could a similar scenario with Torbjorn, Brigitte, Reinhardt, and Bastion. Though it is a shame that the concept of a full-length campaign for Overwatch 2 is being abandoned, a live service approach can work wonders for PvE if character-focused stories are told. Further, if these mini-campaigns come at the midway point of each Season, players burnt out by the main story missions could have something fresh to hold them over until the next wave arrives.
Overwatch 2 launches on October 4 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.