Overwatch 2 is formally ditching the “2” from its identify. It is all simply Overwatch now as the sport enters a “new, story-driven period” with a year-long narrative, 10 new heroes, and a significant overhaul.
Introduced at the moment on the Overwatch Highlight, Blizzard revealed its first year-long storyline, entitled “The Reign of Talon”. Because it sounds, the plot goes to give attention to the antagonistic faction Talon because it takes over world wide, whereas Overwatch continues to struggle again. In-game occasions, hero trailers, animated comics, quick tales, and map updates will inform a narrative throughout six seasons rolled out all through all the 12 months, starting with the launch of 5 new heroes on February 10 as Season 1 begins. On the Talon aspect, new heroes will embody Domina (tank), Emre (injury), and Mizuki (help), and on Overwatch we’ll get Anran (injury) and Jetpack Cat (help). Extra heroes will be a part of sooner or later, with a brand new hero added in every of Season 2-6 to return. A brand new story arc is deliberate to start with one other Season 1 in 2027.
Different updates embody a brand new Meta Occasion referred to as Conquest, the place gamers select to align with both Overwatch or Talon over 5 weeks to compete for rewards together with lootboxes, skins, and titles. We’ll even be seeing a significant UI and UX overhaul with a brand new hero foyer and a promise of sooner navigation. And we’re additionally getting a Hey Kitty-themed in-game occasion from February 10-23.
Amid all of this, Blizzard is formally dropping the “2” from Overwatch 2, and referring to it going ahead simply as Overwatch. As a press launch explains: “Overwatch is greater than only a digit: it is a dwelling universe that retains rising, retains shocking, and retains bringing gamers collectively from world wide. This 12 months marks an enormous turning level in how the event staff envisions the way forward for Overwatch, so we’re formally dropping ‘2’ and transferring ahead as ‘Overwatch’.”
The newly-dubbed “Overwatch” can even be getting an upgraded Nintendo Swap 2 version within the spring (each the unique Overwatch and Overwatch 2 are presently obtainable on Nintendo Swap, and thus Swap 2, however should not have devoted Swap 2 upgraded variations).
It is no shock that Blizzard would possibly wish to wipe the slate clear from the wrestle that has been Overwatch 2. The sequel/revamp of 2016’s in style hero shooter Overwatch stumbled out of the gate, and whereas it noticed a massive surge of players at the start, these numbers dropped in the following year. As time went on, user reviews complained a few number of issues comparable to monetization and controversies across the cancellation of the game’s long-awaited PvE Hero mode. The sport has seen modes, options, and plans come and go through the years, and this isn’t even the first major overhaul Blizzard has introduced. The actual fact stays that Overwatch 2 has by no means fairly lived as much as the hype ranges of its predecessor, Overwatch, and this might be an try on Blizzard’s half to regain a few of that glory – particularly by focusing a lot on story.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Obtained a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
