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Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 plays brilliantly. It’s a wonderful shooter full of depth, with unique heroes to master, maps to learn, and hours of your life to lose all over again.
Overwatch 2 Game Cover
53%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
monetization, grinding
34% User Score Based on 132,714 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 36 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCWeb BrowserPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
Overwatch 2 Game Cover

About

Overwatch 2 is a multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and was released on August 10, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and negative reviews from players.

"Overwatch 2" is a free-to-play first-person shooter with an ever-expanding roster of 30+ unique heroes. The game has introduced new content in "Overwatch 2: Invasion," including all-new multiplayer Story Missions in Rio, Toronto, and Gothenburg, a new game mode called Flashpoint, and Hero Mastery Missions for honing skills. These new features provide various ways to play and enjoy the game.

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34%
Audience ScoreBased on 132,714 reviews
gameplay1.7k positive mentions
monetization1.7k negative mentions

  • The core gameplay remains fast-paced, engaging, and retains the beloved mechanics of the original game, offering a fun and competitive experience.
  • The character designs are unique and vibrant, showcasing a level of craftsmanship that enhances the game's appeal.
  • The graphics are colorful and well-optimized, providing a visually appealing experience during gameplay.
  • The aggressive monetization strategies and removal of promised content have led to feelings of betrayal and disappointment among players.
  • Frequent performance issues, inconsistent matchmaking, and stability problems detract from the overall gaming experience.
  • The promised PvE content has been largely disappointing, with many players feeling misled by the initial marketing and the lack of depth in the released missions.
  • gameplay
    5,396 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Overwatch 2 is often described as fast-paced, engaging, and retaining the core mechanics that made the original game popular. However, many players express frustration with balance issues, the shift from 6v6 to 5v5 gameplay, and the impact of monetization strategies on the overall experience. While the game offers a diverse roster of heroes and unique abilities, the surrounding systems and community dynamics can detract from the enjoyment of the gameplay itself.

    • “But to me, Overwatch will always be an easy comfort pick in terms of gameplay loop, personal expression, socializing with friends, and competitive integrity.”
    • “The gameplay is fun with a high skill ceiling, with every playable hero playing differently than the last.”
    • “Overall, Overwatch 2 shines in its core gameplay when the match is balanced, offering the same chaotic, satisfying, and team-oriented action that fans adore.”
    • “Frustrating gameplay, particularly in its identity when it comes to balance changes (one-shots or not? cc or not? counterswapping or not?)”
    • “The gameplay feels very random and chaotic for this level of tactical slowness.”
    • “The core gameplay, once a harmonious ballet of strategy and skill, now wallows in a mire of imbalance and uninspired design.”
  • story
    5,102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "Overwatch 2" has been a major point of contention among players, primarily due to the cancellation of the promised expansive PvE campaign that was a key selling point for the sequel. Instead, players received a limited set of three paid story missions, which many feel are underwhelming and lack the depth and replayability expected from a full-fledged narrative experience. Overall, the community expresses disappointment over the monetization of content that was once free in the original game, leading to a sense of betrayal and frustration regarding the game's direction and storytelling potential.

    • “I love all the cinematics and comics that dive into the story and characterization :) Just overall I am in love with the world of the game.”
    • “Even the PvE story missions, though limited so far, show great promise and deliver cinematic-quality experiences that expand the lore in exciting ways.”
    • “The story/characters alone have so much to offer and I love hero shooters where I can fit myself into a role and then a character that suits me.”
    • “The main reason this game was called Overwatch 2 was the announced and overly advertised PvE missions, with the new hero skill trees, customizable abilities, and hero progression, and then after over 3 years of waiting, basically everything PvE related that was announced in this trailer was cancelled.”
    • “They scrapped the full PvE experience to sell mission events that used to be free in Overwatch 1 and are now slowly reintroducing the cut features from Overwatch 1.”
    • “The 'story mode' seems like it was written during a coffee break by someone who once heard about Overwatch from a friend of a friend, whose entire knowledge of the game was based on a blurry screenshot they saw on social media.”
  • monetization
    4,180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in Overwatch 2 has drawn widespread criticism for its aggressive and predatory practices, transitioning from a previously player-friendly loot box system to a model heavily reliant on microtransactions and battle passes. Many players feel that this shift prioritizes profit over enjoyment, locking essential content and new heroes behind paywalls, which has soured the experience for both new and veteran players. Overall, while the gameplay remains enjoyable, the monetization strategies have left a significant negative impact on the game's reputation and player satisfaction.

    • “This game would not be worth the $60 it was back in the day due to all of the microtransactions, but because it's free, I'd say go for it.”
    • “Some mild sad moments when you discover a great skin was season locked, but ultimately their monetization is not bad, especially when you compare it to other games.”
    • “The monetization is not bad compared to the rest of the industry, just less generous than OW1's 'here's everything all the time for free' model.”
    • “Matchmaking feels all over the place, hero balance shifts too wildly, and the monetization system constantly gets in the way of having fun.”
    • “The introduction of battle passes, expensive cosmetics, and paywalls for new heroes has transformed the game into a cash grab.”
    • “The monetization is so shameless it borders on satire — $20 skins, paywalled progression, recycled events wrapped in shiny new lies.”
  • graphics
    1,351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Overwatch 2 have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the vibrant art style and improved visuals, while others criticize the game for not significantly advancing beyond its predecessor. Many users noted that while the graphics are colorful and appealing, they feel outdated compared to modern gaming standards, with some even claiming that the visuals resemble those of earlier titles. Additionally, the removal of the community artwork tab has sparked frustration among fans, further complicating the game's reception regarding its visual presentation.

    • “The game’s visuals are crisp, colorful, and optimized beautifully, ensuring smooth performance even during chaotic team fights.”
    • “The graphics engine has been overhauled and optimized decently.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail that breathe life into the diverse range of heroes and maps.”
    • “This game's animations and graphics are so bad that I have seen better on Roblox games.”
    • “Despite being marketed as a next-generation upgrade, the game still suffers from outdated graphics, clunky user interfaces, and limited accessibility options.”
    • “The graphics, touted as a major improvement, are nothing short of a disappointment.”
  • humor
    744 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the absurdity of the community's reactions and the game's quirks, such as hilarious character interactions and chaotic gameplay moments. While some reviews highlight the comedic potential of the game, others point out that the humor often stems from frustration with the game's mechanics and community toxicity. Overall, players appreciate the funny moments that arise during gameplay, even as they critique the game's shortcomings.

    • “Kinda funny half the bad reviews are people seething and blaming teammates after losing a comp game.”
    • “I love this game, it's not because I win a lot, but because it's my childhood dream, it makes me have many good and nice friends, and makes my life more funny.”
    • “This game is so goofy; if you learn to play the game by laughing at the dumb things that happen, then you will love it.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
    • “This game is the most unfunny game I've played in my entire life.”
    • “But it's just not funny anymore.”
  • grinding
    618 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of Overwatch 2 has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe it as excessively tedious and frustrating. Many feel that the new battle pass system, which locks heroes and cosmetics behind long hours of grinding or expensive purchases, detracts from the enjoyment of the game and turns progression into a chore. Players miss the previous loot box system, which offered more rewarding and less grind-heavy ways to earn content, and express disappointment over the game's shift towards a monetization model that prioritizes profit over player experience.

    • “Well, I'll say this: I am not grinding from the depths of elo hell to try to get platinum in a game that can't even get its balance corrected.”
    • “Very happy that all heroes are available for everyone now with no grinding required.”
    • “If you want cosmetics, you pretty much need to pay in order to get anything (unlike in 1, where you could earn loot boxes, and while they are still loot boxes, they weren't as bad as other games, and earning them for free felt rewarding and not grindy).”
    • “The content you can unlock by grinding often feels like it only exists to drag you into interfaces that advertise the paid content for you.”
    • “Unlocking characters is tedious, with battle pass characters taking like 40+ hours to unlock.”
    • “The battle pass requires a ridiculous amount of grinding and playing to unlock rewards, while the cash shop sells items that were previously available for free or through loot boxes in the first game.”
  • optimization
    408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews from players. While many commend its solid performance, smooth gameplay, and beautiful graphics, others express frustration over frequent performance issues, particularly after updates, and inconsistent matchmaking that detracts from the experience. Despite being more optimized than some competitors like Marvel Rivals, players report that performance can vary significantly based on hardware and game updates, leading to a less reliable experience.

    • “The game is well-optimized, competitive, in-depth, and good fun.”
    • “The game runs smoothly, the graphics are pretty good, there's a lot of choices for characters to play, and a lot of abilities that you can play with.”
    • “This game is fun, has amazing gameplay, and is very optimized.”
    • “The inconsistent matchmaking really pulls you out of the experience, and it’s frustrating to feel like your victory or defeat is more about the luck of the draw than your actual performance.”
    • “Overwatch on PC is the most horribly unoptimized mess I have ever had the displeasure of attempting to play.”
    • “The game is technically well done: awesome graphics, sound effects, VFX, and performance.”
  • emotional
    386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a tumultuous blend of nostalgia, frustration, and heartbreak, as players grapple with the decline of a beloved franchise. Many express feelings of betrayal due to broken promises, particularly regarding the removal of anticipated content and the shift towards aggressive monetization strategies, leading to a sense of emotional manipulation. Despite the pain and disappointment, players often find themselves drawn back to the game, highlighting a complex relationship that oscillates between love and anguish.

    • “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
    • “Overwatch 2 provided me with a truly unique and emotionally charged experience.”
    • “It's heartbreaking to see a game that was once celebrated for its creativity and innovation devolve into a monetization scheme, squeezing players dry for scraps of content that pale in comparison to the original vision.”
    • “$15 for a pretty boring story????”
  • replayability
    296 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While many players find the core gameplay and diverse hero roster to offer significant replay value, especially in PvP modes, the promised PvE content has largely disappointed, with critics highlighting the lack of depth and replayability in the released missions. The absence of skill trees and engaging PvE experiences has led to frustration among players who feel misled by the initial promises of a robust, replayable campaign.

    • “Absolutely great game with amazing replayability.”
    • “Each hero has a clear identity, and learning how they interact with others is a rewarding process that keeps the game endlessly replayable.”
    • “The unique combination of heroes and their abilities makes each match feel fresh, promoting replayability and keeping players engaged over the long term.”
    • “They sold us an entire sequel on the promise of a deep, replayable PvE experience and delivered… three missions you’ll play once and forget exist.”
    • “The PvE missions quickly become repetitive and monotonous, offering little replay value.”
    • “Promising an entire fully fleshed out PvE mode with skill trees and replayable missions and then outright cancelling it and then selling 3 small PvE missions with next to no replayability for $15 each is the biggest middle finger you can give to your community.”
  • stability
    258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and significant bugs that disrupt gameplay. Many users express frustration over the game's performance issues, including lag and connection problems, particularly after updates. While some players note that the game can run smoothly at times, the overall consensus is that it remains a buggy and unstable experience, often requiring extensive troubleshooting.

    • “The game runs on most hardware smoothly and is virtually bug-free since launch with awesome clean graphics and a sleek but nuanced interface.”
    • “Polished, bug-free, and fun as hell to play.”
    • “Graphically, the game has seen a solid upgrade — it’s cleaner, more vibrant, and still runs great on a wide range of systems.”
    • “The steam version of this game is a buggy piece of crap that crashes constantly.”
    • “Game is extremely unstable, tired of everything and game just crashes for no reason, also buying things with currency is incredibly buggy and just doesn't give you the item.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, as a Doom player I still get the exact same bugs for years that have never been fixed.”
  • character development
    227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique and vibrant character designs that contribute to the game's appeal. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the depth of character development and storytelling, with players feeling that recent updates have led to uninspired designs and a lack of meaningful lore. Overall, while the character designs are often highlighted as a strong point, the narrative and character development aspects are seen as lacking, leaving players wanting more depth and coherence.

    • “The character designs are unique and full of personality, each one a hero in their own right.”
    • “The character designs retain the iconic charm that made the original cast so endearing, while also introducing fresh faces that inject new life into the Overwatch universe.”
    • “The attention to detail in the maps and character designs showcases a level of craftsmanship that makes every match a breathtaking journey.”
    • “The character designs have been getting lazier and lazier; they stopped doing any real lore cinematics, and the game itself has deteriorated into a bank-breaking fashion show, disguised as a team shooter.”
    • “The attempts at character development often fall flat, leaving me detached from the heroes I once cherished.”
    • “Character development feels forced, and the attempt to weave a cohesive story into the multiplayer experience feels like a missed opportunity, with the narrative elements feeling tacked on rather than seamlessly integrated.”
  • music
    209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Overwatch is generally praised for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and action, with many players finding the soundtrack catchy and memorable. However, some critiques highlight a lack of variety and originality, suggesting that the music can feel repetitive or simplistic over time. Overall, while the sound design and character themes are well-received, there are mixed feelings about the evolution and impact of the game's music in the long run.

    • “The soundtrack is dynamic and emotive, perfectly complementing the action on screen.”
    • “The sound design, including the iconic voice lines and pulse-pounding music, enhances the overall immersion and excitement.”
    • “The music is nice and unique, for the intro to each level.”
    • “Sound design hasn't evolved in almost a decade, including the music.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable, and there's a lack of impactful sound design which could have added so much to the gameplay experience.”
    • “From the screeching 'music' that sounds like a cat being strangled, to the repetitive and grating voice acting that makes you wish for the sweet release of silence, the auditory experience is a journey into the depths of audio hell.”
  • atmosphere
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the immersive sound design and well-crafted maps that enhance the experience, while others lament the toxic community and competitive pressure that detracts from enjoyment. Many reviews highlight a shift from a once-casual, friendly environment to one dominated by negativity, blame, and a focus on monetization, leading to a sense of alienation among players. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both engaging and frustrating, depending on individual experiences and interactions within the game.

    • “Reworked sound design, including new sound effects and voice lines, adds overall atmospheric depth.”
    • “The mixture of the music, ambience, the shaking of your flashlight, and the Tattletail constantly speaking to you provides for quite the atmosphere when the horror aspects start to ramp up.”
    • “Whether you're fighting on the streets of New York or the temples of Nepal, the atmosphere feels alive and dynamic.”
    • “Toxicity runs rampant, and instead of fostering a positive atmosphere, it seems the developers have completely abandoned most of the player base.”
    • “Constant complaints, toxicity, and an uncooperative atmosphere make for a miserable gaming experience, especially in competitive modes.”
    • “Overwatch 2, on the other hand, is the result of somehow furthering that developer neglect, going 0.5 steps forward and going more than 100 steps back with the most boring gameplay loop, toxic fanbase, egregious monetization, soulless atmosphere and stereotypical free-to-play live service model in the history of this declining industry we call 'gaming.'”
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389h Median play time
729h Average play time
40-985h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 492 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Overwatch 2 is a shooter game with science fiction theme.

Overwatch 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Web Browser and others.

On average players spend around 729 hours playing Overwatch 2.

Overwatch 2 was released on August 10, 2023.

Overwatch 2 was developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc..

Overwatch 2 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

Overwatch 2 is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, Paladins, SMITE 2, Dead by Daylight and others.