Top 10 Overwatch 2 Characters with the Most Compelling Backstories

Summary

Blizzard excels in crafting characters with compelling lore and unique characteristics in Overwatch 2.
Heroes like Ana, Genji, and Doomfist have intricate backstories that enrich the overarching story.
Overwatch 2 showcases characters like Widowmaker and Reaper with complex arcs, blending tragedy and redemption.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be impressed by the exceptional character designs in Overwatch 2. Blizzard really pushes the boundaries with their heroes and villains, creating visually stunning characters brimming with distinctive traits. Each character also has a rich backstory that ties them to the larger narrative unfolding within the game’s various conflicts in Overwatch 2.

In the case of Overwatch 2, a game lacking a conventional narrative, its character backgrounds have consistently captivated players for nine years, sparking requests for an Overwatch TV series. With 42 playable characters (at present) and another in development, it’s intriguing to consider how Blizzard manages to continuously deliver compelling lore. Here, we explore the characters with the most fascinating backstories in Overwatch 2.

10. Ana Amari

The Veteran Sniper Who Had Her Confidence Knocked By Widowmaker

In the realm of Overwatch 2, I’m none other than Ana Amari – a support hero with a knack for keeping my teammates in top shape and putting enemies out of action with my trusty sleep darts. As one of the original Overwatch members, I was renowned as the world’s elite sniper, serving diligently even into my fifties as a strike commander. The belief that my career had met its end came when I was believed to have been taken down by Talon’s deadly sniper, Widowmaker.

In the passage of time, Ana resurfaced, disclosing that she had endured the attack and suffered the loss of her right eye. After a period of concealment and introspection about a life filled with strife, she chose to come back and safeguard her native town in Egypt. Responding to Winston’s Overwatch Recall, Ana re-entered the fray and contributed to revitalizing the team — enlisting both new and familiar allies, such as her daughter, Pharah, and Cole Cassidy.

What I find captivating about Ana’s backstory is her tenacity. The bullet from Widowmaker was a significant hit to her self-assurance. Nevertheless, even with her advanced age, she remains committed to her heroic sense of duty and works towards rebuilding Overwatch for future generations.

Ana’s resilience is what makes her lore intriguing. A shot from Widowmaker dealt a heavy blow to her confidence, but despite her advancing years, she continues to be driven by her heroic duty and strives to rebuild Overwatch for the coming generations.

9. Genji

The Ninja Slayed By His Brother And Rebuilt With Cybernetics

Genji and Hanzo are siblings, born into the notorious Shimada crime family, renowned for producing lethal assassins. Growing up in such an environment was their destiny.

During their instruction from Asa Yamagami, who was Kiriko Kamori’s mother, it became evident that Genji exhibited a rebellious nature against the traditions of the Shimada clan. After Master Shimada’s demise, the responsibility of maintaining the clan’s legacy fell upon Hanzo. Consequently, Hanzo found himself under pressure to address his unruly brother, resulting in a confrontation that appeared to end with Hanzo taking Genji’s life.

In a different turn of events, it’s Mercy who helps Genji stay alive in the heat of battle. Post-resurrection, Genji gets advanced cybernetic enhancements, which significantly alter his persona. He then becomes a member of Overwatch’s covert division known as Blackwatch, with a mission to bring down his family’s empire. Fate brings him face-to-face with Hanzo on the day marking his demise, unveiling that Genji has miraculously cheated death. After a fierce battle, they reconcile, with Genji urging Hanzo to let go of their tainted familial history and forge a new path. Genji’s narrative epitomizes resilience and identity, demonstrating how individuals can break free from the shackles of their birthright to chart their own course in life.

8. Doomfist

When Shattered Dreams Fuel A Desire For World Domination

The tale of Doomfist follows a compelling narrative that transforms a character into a formidable antagonist. Originally Akande Ogundimu, Doomfist hailed from a well-off Nigerian family who ran a prosthetic technology company. As a prodigious martial artist, his life took an unexpected turn during the Omnic Crisis when he suffered the loss of an arm. Although his family equipped him with state-of-the-art prosthetics, his competitive prowess was diminished, leaving him feeling aimless.

As a gamer, I found my calling under the watchful eye of Akinjide Adeyemi, the dominant Doomfist and influential figure within the enigmatic group, Talon. However, my aspirations transcended those of my mentor. In a fateful moment, I ended Akinjide’s life and seized the Doomfist title for myself. With this newfound authority, I transformed Talon into a formidable military machine, capturing the attention of Overwatch in the process.

Ultimately, Doomfist was apprehended by the combined efforts of Tracer, Genji, and Winston. His capture, however, proved temporary as he managed to break free with assistance from Talon, reacquiring his signature gauntlet along the way. This escape marked a new chapter for him, setting the stage for him to implement his vision of a new world order. The captivating narrative surrounding Doomfist serves as a tantalizing foundation for an exciting villain arc that many fans eagerly anticipate seeing unfold in a feature-length production.

7. Reinhardt

A Battle-Tested Soldier Forced To Accept His Mentor’s Sacrifice

At one point, Reinhardt was an esteemed German soldier and belonged to the Crusaders, a military unit within the German Military. During the Eichenwald battle, his mentor, Balderich von Adler, instructed him to shield his fellow soldiers from peril, forcing him to confront a lethal group of Bastion omnic robots by himself. The death of Balderich had a profound impact on Reinhardt, an influence that lingered even after he received an invitation to join Overwatch.

Reinhardt’s lore captivates us because it seems he is always present in the broader narrative. Similar to Ana, Reinhardt is an elder figure, brimming with knowledge that helps steer the younger members of Overwatch.

Reinhardt’s past is deeply entwined with significant events in the storyline of Overwatch 2, ranging from the Battle of Eichenwald to the assault on Anubis that marked the resolution of the Omnic Crisis, and subsequently, his emergence following Winston’s Recall, signaling his return from retirement. Reinhardt’s extensive history and experiences make him one of the most memorable heroes in the game to this day.

6. Sombra

An Expert Hacker Searching For The Truth

In an era marked by swift technological advancements, tales of the defiant hacker never fail to captivate us. Sombra embodies this hacker stereotype flawlessly, standing out as one of the game’s most intriguing and ethically complex characters.

Olivia Colomar, also known as Sombra, was left without family during the Omnic Crisis and managed to survive using her extraordinary abilities in hacking. She eventually became part of the gang, Los Muertos, where she carried out significant hacking jobs until she stumbled upon a worldwide secret that compelled her to wipe her identity and live covertly.

After obtaining new cybernetic abilities, Sombra embarks on a mission to reveal the secrets hidden within the conspiracy and liberate her native land. Not long after, her skills caught the notice of Talon, leading her to team up with Doomfist and Reaper.

What’s particularly striking about the character of Sombra is that her actions are driven by the hardships she faced in Mexico. Although she plays the role of an antagonist in Overwatch 2, there’s an air about her that suggests she might rise against Talon at any given moment. This possibility is subtly hinted at during the Volskaya Industries mission, where she opted not to kill the target Katya but rather used her as a source of information instead. Sombra’s own aspirations seem to outweigh her allegiance to Talon, which could pave the way for a potential redemption storyline in the future.

5. Hammond (Wrecking Ball)

This Is What Happens When A Hamster Escapes

Hammond, also called Wrecking Ball, is a hamster that underwent genetic modification. This took place at the Horizon Lunar Colony, where animals were given gene therapy to help them adapt to life on the moon. As Hammond’s intelligence expanded, his curiosity about the world around him increased.

Regularly, Hammond would venture off to different parts of the facility. The researchers would track him down and bring him back to his enclosure, oblivious to Hammond’s covert activities. During these nighttime excursions, Hammond was honing his engineering abilities, constructing a personal escape pod. It so happened that one day, some of the gorillas at the facility rebelled against the scientists, with Winston among them. To everyone’s surprise, including Winston himself, it turned out that Hammond, too, had intentions to depart from the facility, aiming for Earth just like Winston.

As a gamer, I found myself hitching my pod to Winston’s ship, ready to embark on our journey back to Earth. Later down the line, I made my home in the Junkertown scrapyard and repurposed that pod into an incredible mech, Wrecking Ball. The tale of Wrecking Ball resonates deeply because it reflects his true essence. Anyone who’s ever owned a hamster knows the intrigue that arises when they disappear mysteriously. Our escape from the lab where we were subjects of experiments makes for a touching story of freedom and camaraderie.

4. Bastion

A Weapon Built For Destruction Learns To Love Nature

Initially, Bastion E-54 models were engineered by Torbjörn for peaceful purposes as automated peacekeepers. Unfortunately, during the Omnic Crisis, these Bastion units switched allegiance and became a significant part of the omnic military force. Equipped with the capability to morph into an attack cannon, they proved to be formidable adversaries in battle.

Following the Omnic Crisis, a majority of Bastion units were demolished or dismantled, leaving one unit largely neglected for about a decade. This particular Bastion had been dormant for years, accumulating rust and being overgrown with vines. One unexpected day, this Bastion spontaneously activated – however, its combat programming had faded away. Instead, it developed an appreciation for its surroundings. It formed friendships with the local wildlife, among them a loyal feathered companion.

As a devoted admirer, I’d rephrase it this way: After traversing the untamed landscapes, I finally arrive in Sweden and reunite with Torbjörn. His eyes widen as he notices my altered demeanor. With compassionate hands, he helps me heal, releasing me from the shackles of my war-torn past. Now, I dedicate my days to aiding Torbjörn in his workshop, extending a hand of peace to those humans who were once my enemies.

Bastion’s tale is peaceful, brimming with personal growth. One could envision it as an extended animated movie, where a war machine learns to appreciate human kindness and natural beauty.

3. Widowmaker

Forced To Assassinate Her Own Husband

The tale of the deadliest sniper in Overwatch 2, Widowmaker, is heartrending. Amélie Lacroix, originally a prodigious ballet dancer, hailed from rural France. She was united with her beloved, Gérard Lacroix, who was an Overwatch operative dedicated to dismantling Talon.

In a bid to undermine Gerard’s efforts, Talon seized the chance by abducting Gerard’s unaware wife, Amelie. During her captivity at the hands of Talon, Amelie underwent severe mind control or brainwashing. Simultaneously, Gerard depleted all his resources in an attempt to free his wife. To Gerard’s joy, Overwatch successfully rescued Amelie, and their examinations suggested she was unharmed.

I was disheartened to find out that my tests were off the mark. It turned out Amélie had succumbed to Talon’s manipulation, leading her to commit a heartbreaking act – she killed her husband Gérard while he slept. After this devastating event, Amélie ran into Talon’s embrace, becoming an invaluable asset for them. She left her ballet shoes behind and found solace in her beloved sniper rifle, adopting the name Widowmaker.

Widowmaker plays a crucial role within the group known as Talon, contributing significantly to many pivotal moments in the game’s narrative. This includes the operation to recover Doomfist’s gauntlet and the mission where she outmaneuvered Overwatch’s renowned sniper, Ana Amari.

What’s captivating about Widowmaker is the way her backstory is portrayed through her character design and demeanor. Her love for ballet is evident in how she moves on the battlefield. Widowmaker employs sniping as a means to hide her past sorrows and the guilt from the harm she’s caused to her loved one.

2. Reaper

A Former Overwatch Commander Who Turned To The Dark Side

Gabriel Reyes, also known as the Reaper, initially walked a virtuous path. Born in Los Angeles, he began his career in the LAPD before moving on to military service, where he was chosen for the Soldier Enhancement Program. During this time, he developed extraordinary abilities alongside Jack Morrison (Soldier 76), a friendship that started during the Omnic Crisis. Later, they both became members of Overwatch, but their paths diverged as Morrison rose to Strike Commander rank and Reyes headed the secretive Blackwatch division.

Disappointed with the restrictions of bureaucracy and red tape that hampered Overwatch’s performance, Reyes began to lose faith – this was especially true after his conversation with the apprehended Doomfist, who persuaded him that meaningful change demanded bolder actions.

Following an unfortunate Blackwatch operation, public opinion turned against Overwatch, leading to its dissolution. A heated dispute between Reyes and Morrison at their Swiss base escalated into violence, culminating in a massive explosion that left both men injured within the flames. Reyes miraculously survived and was treated by Dr. Moira O’Deorain, whom he had personally hired. To save his life, she injected him with chemicals that enabled him to transform his physical form. Emerging anew as Reaper, Reyes allied himself with Talon on the first anniversary of Overwatch’s fall. Both Doomfist and Reaper share a common objective: establishing a fresh global order.

The tale of Reaper is deeply woven into the main narratives of the game, which suggests he might be among the most fully-realized characters from the original group. His transformation from a hero to an antagonist is captivating, lending depth and complexity to his character.

1. Sigma

A Scientist Haunted By The Universe’s Secrets

In a tragic turn of events, Dr. Siebren de Kuiper (from Sigma) finds himself ensnared in a self-created spiral of insanity following an experiment that unintentionally bestowed him the power to manipulate gravity. Originally driven by the idea that humanity could master black holes, Dr. Kuiper sought to harness this force for our benefit. However, during his research on a space station, an accident took place, causing him to be exposed directly to the potent energy of a black hole.

As I, Kuiper, was rescued and transported back to Earth, the traumatic events left deep emotional scars. The authorities confined me under the label “Subject Sigma,” fearing my state of mind could potentially endanger others.

Sigma exhibits a recurring pattern in his psychological state, oscillating among three distinct identities: one driven by a desire for human progress, another yearning for freedom, and a third striving for dominance.

After discovering the scientist’s isolation situation, Talon became intrigued by Sigma, thinking that his intellect would be valuable to their cause. A Talon team subsequently infiltrated the compound and rescued him. Talon then informed Sigma of his newfound freedom, encouraging him to further develop his powers and unravel the mysteries of the universe, with the added bonus that he could harness his fearsome abilities for their mutual benefit.

The intricacy that sets Sigma’s background apart is found in every facet of his character, from his in-game voice lines to his character reveal video. Witnessing what was within the black hole sent shockwaves through Sigma’s mind, a tumultuous mix of agony and enlightenment. When he finds himself shackled at the facility, he struggles to comprehend why he’s being held for merely observing such an extraordinary occurrence. Even long after the incident, Sigma claims to still hear the cosmos resonating within him.

2025-04-19 03:38