Overwatch 2 players are taking issue with Blizzard's implementation of light glare in the new game. The sequel to Blizzard's popular online multiplayer shooter has received an overhaul of its visuals, modernizing it for newer platforms while also making it further scalable for the Nintendo Switch. Some of the new tech that Blizzard's implemented, and how it has been implemented, hasn't necessarily made Overwatch 2 better, though.
Lighting is one of Overwatch 2's biggest systems to be overhauled. A new weather system has been built into the game, so some maps are now set during the day and some are during the night. But Blizzard has also put a lot of work into lighting changes on these maps, too. There's more dynamic lighting now, bringing brightness, warmth, and coloring to lighting, and adding more ambient occlusion where the weather makes it appropriate.
Some of the lighting effects Blizzard has added may have gone too far, however. Overwatch 2 players on Reddit have shown how looking in the Sun's direction can blot out an entire section of the screen. Alternatively, even looking around the sun can create a lens flare effect or texture that's very distracting and can take players out of the experience. It's unclear if Overwatch 2's lighting has been overtuned or if there's a bug creating the issue.
Another player shared a screenshot showing that it's not just the Sun causing an issue, but all sources of significant brightness. Lights in a hallway on King's Row are surrounded by bright blue and gold halos. It led one player to respond that their "astigmatism-ridden eyes" don't see lights so badly. Suffice to say, the glare is quite extreme.
If it was just a visual choice that otherwise didn't impact gameplay, Overwatch 2's lighting issues wouldn't be a problem. But there are characters in Overwatch 2 that fly or use verticality to their advantage. If a player can't see Pharah, that's a significant advantage that's not intended by the developers. Of course, it's possible that it is intended and Blizzard wants Pharahs and other heroes to take advantage of the lighting, but that seems extreme.
It remains to be seen whether Blizzard plans to address the criticism of Overwatch 2's lighting and glare. Overwatch 2 has a long list of issues that need to be addressed, some of which are high priority. Correcting lighting issues probably falls far below server problems, hero ability bugs, and balance issues. For now, it's just one more thing that makes it surprising Blizzard launched Overwatch 2 in its current state.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.