It's the beginning of December, the holidays are rolling in, and for fans of Overwatch, that means looking forward to a new seasonal event. Not only are real-life festivities given time in the spotlight, but in-game ones are as well and are honored with limited-time seasonal events. Fresh new game modes and fun new aesthetics are what made Overwatch stand out as such a unique first-person shooter in the past years.
In the flurry of new skins, voice lines, sprays, game modes, and maps, it can be hard to pinpoint which event gave players their favorite seasonal item.
Just in time for the newest update, here's to looking back at some of the best seasonal skins and events Overwatch has provided its fanbase (for free of course) since 2015.
10 Event: Summer Games
As one of the first limited-time events gifted to fans, the Summer Games was easily one of the most memorable events. During this event, fans could take it easy with the new arcade mode "Lucio Ball". Akin to soccer or Rocket League, "Lucio Ball" was the healing DJ's time to shine as he was the only playable character in the mode! Although competitive at times, this mode was a fun way to help players cool off incase competitive games weren't going their way.
9 Skin: Soldier 76: Grillmaster
Since release day, Soldier 76 has been deemed the "dad" of the game; so what could be more fitting than the Grillmaster skin? During the Summer Games event, Blizzard did their fans justice and gave everyone's favorite DPS dad the true "summer beach dad fit"; including the tropical shirt, cargo shorts, lame sunglasses, and of course, the deadly socks and sandals combo. Soldier 76's Grillmaster skin was definitely a memorable one as it proved that Blizzard paid attention to their fans and their (dad) jokes.
8 Event: Overwatch Archives
The Overwatch Archives event was one that allowed players a glimpse into the past of Overwatch itself, specifically Blackwatch. During this event, players could embark on a new PVE brawl named "Overwatch Retribution". Joining the team as Moira, McCree, Genji, or Gabe (Reaper's previous identity), players fight their way through a dangerous Blackwatch mission, facing off against waves of angry omnics that stand in their way.
In addition to "Retribution," players could also experience the flipside, joining the Overwatch Agent mission, "Storm Rising" PVE as Tracer, Genji, Winston, or Mercy.
7 Skin: Mercy: Witch
When Halloween first arrived and fans finally laid eyes on Witch Mercy, it goes to say everyone was under her spell. Still arguably one of her best skins to this day, Witch Mercy had players scrambling; playing competitive games for hours just for the chance of getting their favorite healer in a loot box. Blizzard even changed her voice line when activating her ultimate to fit her witchy aesthetic even more. Dr. Ziegler's Halloween skin is for sure one of her most iconic skins, seasonal or not.
6 Event: Halloween Terror
The Halloween Terror event brought fans on a spooky narrated quest, where players faced off against the likes of witches, monsters, and evil doctors in the "Junkenstein's Revenge" brawl. Playing similarly to an FPS tower defense hybrid, this seasonal PVE switched up the normal Overwatch gameplay to keep things fresh. Players no longer had to worry about payloads or going on the offensive to capture an objective and instead, their number one goal was to protect the looming gate behind them.
5 Skin: Zarya: Totally 80's
Zarya knows how strong of a woman she is. During Halloween, she doesn't need a pair of fake fangs or a spooky cape; all she needs are her muscles to scare off anyone who's looking for trouble. Sometimes, the costumes themselves don't need to be scary. Sometimes they can be fun and playful instead, and that's exactly what Blizzard decided to give to Zarya. This retro skin was a unique and colorful look for the famous weightlifter and gave fans a fresh new wardrobe change from her usual garb.
4 Event: Lunar New Year
One of the many things that made Overwatch stand out to so many players all over the world was its inclusivity and diversity. Having the Lunar New Year being honored with an event all to itself was heartwarming to see. Not only were maps updated with new aesthetics, but the skins released were significant as well as they paid homage to the Chinese novel "Journey To The West".
3 Skin: Reaper: Pumpkin
Part of fanmade lore, it's said that Reaper is a huge fan of Halloween. The spooky aesthetics and ghoulish haunted castles definitely seemed right up his alley. So when fans saw Reaper's Pumpkin skin, it felt all too fitting. Who else would make the perfect pumpkin king other than the king of angst himself?
2 Event: Winter Wonderland
Aside from good food, family quality time, and gift-giving, the holidays also bring snow. And lots of it. As a fun arcade event during December's Winter Wonderland, "Mei's Snowball Offensive" is definitely one of the highlights during Overwatch's holiday event.
This one-hit-kill arcade mode is an intense showdown. With ammo (a.k.a. snow) being limited, Mei's snowball launcher only able to load up one shot at a time, and no respawns until the next round, the "Snowball Offensive" is a refreshing switch up from the normal Overwatch gameplay. Rather than the high-octane competitive and quickplay modes, this mode encourages players to take their time and be strategic, making every shot count.
1 Skin: Winston: Yeti
As if the friendly scientist wasn't cute enough, Winter Wonderland blessed Winston with a timely Yeti skin. No matter who fans main, this adorably fitting Winter skin would tempt any player to finally fill that tank spot just for the sake of showing off.