The sequel update in the Overwatch series
Overwatch 2 is the free, action-packed sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch. It builds on the original, expanding and improving the formula. Changes include a free-to-play package, new characters, an updated engine, and cross-progression between platforms. It is the triumphant return of one of the best hero shooters on the market.
Though Overwatch 2 aims to be an accessible experience for anybody, the demographic who enjoyed the preceding action game will feel especially at home with its look, feel, and overall momentum. The ebb and flow of this sequel are much the same, starring a colorful, diverse cast of powerful heroes contesting each other in team vs team combat.
New format but familiar feel
Though Overwatch 2 aims to be an accessible experience for anybody, the demographic who enjoyed the preceding action game will feel especially at home with the look, feel, and overall momentum of Overwatch 2. The ebb and flow of this sequel are much the same, starring a colorful, diverse cast of powerful heroes contesting each other in team vs team combat.
Set just after the climactic story event of Overwatch, Overwatch 2 welcomes new heroes, maps, and modes. Veteran players will notice that core gameplay still revolves around PvP combat that blends three distinctive class types in different permutations. The game's wide roster of characters still offers different variations of the three major archetypes: tank, damage, and support.
For new players unfamiliar with these archetypes, tank heroes, like the new Junker Queen, are designed to soak up damage and shatter fortified positions. They excel in claustrophobic chokepoints and wreak havoc on enemies too closely bunched together. While they're great at leading a charge, damage heroes like Sojourn are more easily killed. They can deal tremendous amounts of damage, however, using a wide range of tools and abilities.
Damage heroes need backup in order to reach their fullest potential, and that's where support heroes like Brigitte come into play. These heroes buff allies in various ways, either boosting their damage, shielding or healing them, or debuffing and disabling opponents. However, some players have noted that the game suffers from imbalance issues, with certain support or damage heroes feeling either overpowered or underwhelming depending on the current meta.
Overwatch 2 vs Overwatch
One of the major changes from Overwatch to Overwatch 2 is team size. PvP modes now pit two teams of five against each other, rather than six. Roles are limited to one tank, two damage, and two support heroes per team, radically changing both the pace of a match and the overall positioning a team will need to take. The coveted tank role will become more important as a result, and team cohesion will play a bigger role.
Overwatch 2 also expands upon the game's RPG element, adding a Talents system that can be accessed and tweaked between matches. This consists of special augmentation for heroes' abilities that can be used during Hero Missions and Story Experience game modes. Each hero will have three different skill trees to progress through, further increasing the variation between players of the same hero.
Considered an update to replace the original Overwatch, the biggest new feature is a shared multiplayer environment between the two games. This means that both player bases can interact and play with one another. Existing users will be able to enjoy their hard-earned upgrades and stats, while still enjoying the new passives for each class.
These passives include a reduction to the knockback received by tank heroes, enhanced speed for damage heroes, and automatic health regeneration for support heroes when out of combat. As far as Mercy is concerned, her health regeneration capability is now doubled. Lastly, Elite units have been added to PvE scenarios. Enemy units here are altered to gain distinct properties to distinguish them from their base forms.
However, the real major change to the series is that Overwatch 2 has become free-to-play for all. If you already have Overwatch, it will just update to Overwatch 2 without any cost whatsoever. On the other hand, if you’re a completely new player without the first game, you can just simply download Overwatch 2 straight from its official website.
Take note that the PC version requires you to download the Battle.net desktop application first. This is the game’s launcher, and you will also be required to use a Battle.net account—completely free, too—and the account will ask you to link a valid mobile phone number to be able to play the game. Additionally, with the introduction of cross-play, console players must also link their game accounts to a Battle.net account in order to access the game.
Player progression system overhaul
Blizzard Entertainment is dedicated to enhancing the player experience in Overwatch 2. Responding to feedback about the game feeling too grindy, the developers designed a new hero and player progression system that provides a more rewarding journey for players. The updated progression structure features various categories for leveling up and showcasing achievements to other players. A new Progression tab in the Career Profile provides detailed insights into hero mastery, helping players identify strengths and areas for improvement across all characters they use.
Season 16 brings bold gameplay shifts
Overwatch 2’s Season 16 marks its most ambitious update to date, headlined by the introduction of Stadium—a round-based game mode that brings a fresh competitive structure to team battles. Matches follow a best-of-seven format, with players earning Stadium Cash each round. This in-game currency can be used in the Armory to modify or upgrade heroes.
The mode debuts a significant gameplay shift: the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, offering new tactical options for positioning. Furthermore, Season 16 introduces a new DPS hero, Freja. Equipped with the Revdraw Crossbow, she delivers rapid-fire ranged attacks and features high mobility. Her abilities, Quick Dash and Updraft, allow players to reposition quickly or escape tight situations.
Competitive Play gains a notable system change with the introduction of hero bans. This pre-match mechanic enables teams to remove certain heroes from the roster before gameplay begins, increasing strategic depth and reducing repetitive meta picks. Alongside these core additions are new cosmetic content, limited-time modes, and the return of classic experiences, further enriching the game.
A team-oriented shooter experience
Since its successful debut, Overwatch has reigned as a landmark in both competitive and social first-person shooter games. To further its platform for more casual players, Blizzard has made Overwatch 2 a free-to-play experience. This will drastically lower the entry barrier for new players and will make the game accessible to anyone who wants to try it.
In terms of presentation and content, Overwatch 2 is a major engine upgrade. Blizzard shifted the monetization model by removing loot boxes, instead offering a Battle Pass where players can acquire items directly from the in-game shop. Overwatch 2 feels like an expansion and a long-awaited update to the original popular game.
