Overwatch is easily one of my all-time favorite games. I was completely captivated when the first Overwatch came out in 2016, and it quickly became the game I played the most. I spent years playing it, made some incredible friends through it – one even flew in to be a groomsman at my brother’s wedding – and even when I took breaks, it always remained a core part of my gaming experience. In 2022, I was lucky enough to play Overwatch 2 before its release, but I had a somewhat complicated reaction to it.
When Jeff Kaplan first presented the idea for Overwatch 2 to fans, he described it as a huge improvement over the original game, featuring new game modes, a complete story campaign with character progression, and much more. However, after Jeff Kaplan left Blizzard, the scope of Overwatch 2‘s release was greatly reduced, despite initial promises. Instead of the major update fans had anticipated for years, the game launched as an early access version with substantial changes, many of which weren’t well-received.
I was a dedicated fan of Overwatch for years and considered it one of my all-time favorite games. When Overwatch 2 first launched in early access, I only gave it a 6 out of 10 – I was really disappointed. Despite that, I kept playing, skipping a few seasons here and there. Blizzard consistently added new content that either pulled me back in out of habit or genuinely excited me. Over time, Overwatch 2 improved a lot, and now that it’s been relaunched simply as Overwatch, it’s time to see how much better the game has become in 2026.
What I Said About Overwatch 2 in My 2022 Review
“It’s still distinctly Overwatch, but it’s more action-packed and exciting than ever before.”
When Overwatch 2 replaced the original game, it changed the team size from 6v6 to 5v5, with each team consisting of one Tank, two Damage dealers, and two Support characters. This meant the Tank role needed a big overhaul, so Blizzard redesigned characters like Orisa and Doomfist and made the other Tanks stronger. While this change to 5v5 was quite controversial, it did make the game feel faster. However, many players, including myself, missed the original 6v6 gameplay.
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As a longtime fan, I was so happy when Overwatch brought back the classic 6v6 mode after a couple of years! Honestly, that’s how it felt it should have always been. Now, it’s awesome that we can pick between 5v5 and 6v6 depending on what we’re in the mood for. I actually enjoy 5v5 too, but having the choice is the best part, especially with both role queue and open queue available.
To encourage players to purchase the premium Battle Pass, Overwatch 2 has stopped giving new heroes to everyone for free. Now, players must either play extensively to reach level 55 to unlock the hero Kiriko, or buy the Battle Pass to gain immediate access.
When Overwatch first came out back in 2016, and even up until Overwatch 2‘s early access in 2022, Blizzard just gave us new heroes. Seriously, whenever they added someone like Sombra, Ana, Sigma, or Echo to the game, everyone got to play them! They’d usually keep the new heroes out of Competitive for a little while to balance things, but that was pretty much the only limit. It was awesome because you didn’t have to grind or pay anything extra to try out all the new characters.
One of the most criticized decisions made with Overwatch 2 was linking new characters to its Battle Pass system. The original Overwatch was a game you purchased upfront and was then supported with optional loot boxes, but Overwatch 2 switched to a free-to-play model. This meant moving away from loot boxes and instead using battle passes, plus selling cosmetic skins directly in the game – often at very high prices. Players of the first Overwatch were accustomed to earning skins for free through loot boxes, so this change was difficult for many to accept.
However, making new characters only available through the battle pass was a much bigger problem. Players were forced to either spend a lot of time playing Overwatch 2 to unlock them, or pay extra for the battle pass. Because Overwatch is a competitive game where certain characters can be very powerful, many players felt this was unfair.
Blizzard heard player concerns and has returned to the original way of unlocking heroes – they’re now free for all players, without needing to grind or purchase a battle pass. This ensures everyone can enjoy the new heroes added with the Season 1 relaunch, even if they don’t buy the battle pass. Additionally, Overwatch has reintroduced loot boxes, giving all players a chance to earn new cosmetic items without spending a lot of money.
Overwatch 2 largely features content that players have already experienced over the past several years.
When Overwatch 2 first launched in early access, it included six new maps, three new heroes, and a new game mode called Push. At the same time, it removed the Assault game mode and its maps, so the initial release wasn’t a huge success. Since then, the game has received a lot more content, making it a much more complete and satisfying experience.
The Assault map type is no longer available, and the Clash game mode has been removed. However, Overwatch has consistently added content over the last four years, including the Stadium mode (Flashpoint) and new maps for existing game modes. New heroes have been released fairly regularly, usually every other season. The recent re-launch of Overwatch Season 1 was particularly substantial, introducing five new heroes all at once: one Tank, two Damage dealers, and two Support characters.
Overwatch now offers more content than ever before! It remains free-to-play and now includes new heroes without any cost. The game is constantly updated with fresh maps and modes, including cooperative story missions, and players can still earn free cosmetic items. Overwatch has significantly improved since the initial release of Overwatch 2 in 2022. It’s clear that Overwatch is thriving and is currently in its best state yet.
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2026-02-14 22:36