Finally available for free on all platforms, Overwatch 2 is reborn from its ashes for a real comeback? We give you the answer in our test.
The first person shooter Overwatch finally comes out in version 2.0 and is now called Overwatch 2. Unfortunately, the Story mode, or the cooperative mode (Players against Environment), is not present, but many are the changes made to the shooting game (FPS) of Blizzard.
A simple Overwatch update?
Is Overwatch 2 Competitive Mode just an update? We will tend to confirm these remarks, because it is not a major change in the mode. Indeed, Overwatch 2 as we know it today is not the final version of the game and rather modernizes the first version of the title. There is indeed a new game mode, called Advanced, which brings a new breath to competitive games with the new composition of 5 players against 5, but the basics remain the same, with many heroes and the cards already present before which are almost unchanged. In order to better seduce this big update is seen as a game in its own rightwhile its main mode (Player versus Environment) does not yet have a precise release date, but is nevertheless scheduled for 2023.
Despite this, we will emphasize an effort on new card and hero designsthis in order to be much closer to the quality expected in 2022. Let’s not forget that Overwatch was released in 2016, so a little remodeling was not refused. It is indeed pleasant to see heroes who are well known sporting a new style and/or a different range of skills.. Note, too, that the overhaul of certain characters and the arrival of new champions is very pleasant.
But relevant news
Despite the fact that this is a major update and not a new game in its own right, there are positives to note, including additions that are nice to see. Let’s start with the three heroines that are added to our character selection screen.
During the beta phases, players were able to try out two of the new heroines, namely: the Queen of Junkers and Sojourn. Each has been welcomed with open arms by the community and benefits from completely new gameplay mechanics.
Until then, Sojourn is seen as a fairly standard character, with skills that do not revolutionize shooting games. To put it simply, it is similar in several aspects to Soldat: 76 and Fatale. However, it can be noticed that‘a huge amount of work has been done on the Queen of Junkers. She is undeniably a good character and in many ways. Her tank position (the one who takes the damage) allows you to enlarge the choice of heroes from the same category and offers a unique gameplay that drastically changes the player’s vision during the game: she benefits from a power of flight of life linked to an accumulation of bleeding. The city ruler of Junkertown is very aggressive and turns out to be a secondary tantk in melee, which may deter opponents from getting too close to her given her ability to steal life points from her. his opponents.
Blizzard is continuing this momentum by offering a new support character: Kiriko. This young woman, part of the group called Yokaï, uses the knowledge of her mother (the Way of the Blades) and that of her grandmother (the spirit of the Vixen) to embark on her own path. By mixing these two trainings, we therefore have a subtle mix between the stealth provided by his teleportation to his allies, the offensive with his Kunai that can kill any character at 200 life points in two shots and the support with his various charms and talismans. protection. She will be able to counter many zone ultimate attacks, in particular those of Bastion, Jackal and Pharah for example. Unlike some trainers, Kiriko is very resistant, able to survive in many situations and will be able to help her allies in several ways.
Taking charge of this heroine will not necessarily be easy, because you will have to understand how to use her Suzu of protection (talisman making her invulnerable for a few seconds), know the range of her Swift step (her teleportation towards an allied character) and especially her Rush of Kistune (his ultimate attack). However, with a little practice you should be fine.
Its mechanics are totally innovative for Overwatch and each of the heroines comes to energize playstyles in Overwatch 2. The trends related to the different metas, that is to say a selection of characters more played because stronger than another, are seen to be completely changed and this is a phenomenon that can also be observed in Overwatch. League. These characters are clearly beneficial for the game and we are hopeful that the developers will continue on this path.
Many are the changes made by the developers with Overwatch 2 : We can already underline the interface which has been completely modified to bring much more information to the players, in particular with the scoreboard or the ping system (pointing at a precise place on the screen) which allows a better communication. The new maps coming with Overwatch 2 are well designed and rich in areas of conflict, enough to bring a little extra pressure with the composition in 5 against 5 players which offers greater dynamism to the games. However, all the good things brought about are tainted by a troubling economic model.
A strange economic system?
Unfortunately, joy can quickly turn to frustration as Overwatch 2’s business model changes drastically, especially for older players. Also, this update doesn’t seem to welcome new players in the best way.
Many players cringed when discovering a Battle Pass with Overwatch 2. If the latter was only for cosmetic purposes, like that of Temtem or many others, the crowd would not have been upset. However, the Pass is relatively inexpensive and offers sumptuous character models, especially with its mythical skins.
Except that in Overwatch 2, the recipe turns out to be totally different: new heroes cannot be played as soon as they are released, but only after reaching a certain level of the Battle Pass. Even if Kiriko will be given to old Overwatch players, new ones will have to climb no less than 55 levels to unlock her, more than half of the Pass. To increase these levels, Blizzard has therefore implemented a system of challenges: Daily, Weekly and Seasonal. The challenges are simple, but require a certain versatility in the roles, because it is not by playing exclusively Ange or Torbjörn that you will quickly level up.
However, the developers do not immediately put the new heroes in competitive games, this in order to give time to players who do not wish to spend a penny on the game to unlock them. The effort is commendable, but the overall functioning of this Battle Pass is a real downside, especially for those who knew the old system. Despite everything, it must be said that the operation is thus done and that obtaining a hero is done thanks to our playing time.
You will have to spend a little time playing to unlock the hero you want, even if we would have preferred free currency by completing various very specific missions. Only, the “Step up” option tarnishes this feature which could have appeased hearts, because, indeed, for a few euros, you will be able to obtain the desired new hero as soon as it is released, at least for quick games when it arrives. This is still a nice lead, because if the new hero turns out to be too strong and popular, your competitive games will have a different flavor because of the cashplayers (players who spend without counting) who will have had time to train with them. upstream.
In order to compensate for the free Players versus Players game mode, the community says goodbye to chest draws, initially obtained by leveling up or during seasonal events. From now on, you will have to either buy the Battle Pass or invest in one of the famous packs from the store containing new cosmetic items. Nevertheless, players wishing to play for free will be able to obtain certain rewards in the famous Battle Pass : 2 epic skins, 1 weapon lucky charm, 2 souvenirs, 1 stage entrance, prestige rank titles and 14 additional items such as emotes, tagg, voiceline, etc. It’s not exceptional, but it’s always a few outfits to wear.
Overwatch, the first of the name, was paid, this second installment is free, so it is understandable to pay for certain things today. However, the fact that Overwatch becomes accessible to all comes with its share of problems and questions that will not go well with new players :we are talking about First Experience Users here. But what is it?
These are some restrictions for new players who have never purchased or played Overwatch first. Until then, you had to have a level 25 account to take advantage of ranked games, but this operation has been removed along with account levels. Players are now required to win no less than 50 Quick Matches to gain access to Ranked Matches.
This practice is not fundamentally bad, because it allows to avoid new smurf accounts (experienced player who tries to harm others by creating a new account to spoil the games in the small ranks) then especially helps new players to get your hands on different heroes, which is fundamental to winning your hands and becoming better. But the real problem is that before being able to unlock all the old characters, released from 2016 until now, neophytes will have to play no less than 100 quick games.”’
Conclusion
Strong points
- Very successful new heroines
- Interesting interface change, especially for the scoreboard or personal progress
- Very well designed cards
- A future that looks bright
Weak points
- Overwatch 2 is more of a major improvement than a new game
- Economic system that may disappoint old players
- New players a little too penalized
At the moment, Overwatch 2 cannot be considered a new game in its own right, but is positioned much more as a huge content update. The title in its full version will really see the light of day when the Story mode is released. However, it remains an addictive and very well thought-out shooter with heroes just as interesting and endearing as each other. It knows how to please experienced players, as well as occasional players thanks to a wide variety of mechanics to master. Even if the Battle Pass turns out to be a big gray area, the new features are really attractive and offer great prospects for the community.
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