Overwatch 2 is just as disappointing as its first installment; the only difference is this one is free. If you’re looking for something mindless and tedious to put hours into, this is the videogame for you.

Overwatch 2 is a class-based first-person shooter developed by Activision Blizzard and released in 2022 that has a very loose storyline told only by occasionally written scripts. However, casual fans and fanatics are left in the dark due to a lack of story elements intertwined with the gameplay.

A player versus environment [PvE] campaign mode was the key selling point of the sequel before its release. As players would be competing against the game itself and not other online opponents, the PvE mode would have been a fresh change from the first game. It was later announced that the mode would release post-launch, separate from the online player versus player [PvP] model, leaving the sequel feeling like a cheap rebrand of the original.

Overwatch 2 also launched with three new playable characters, though one was locked behind a paid battle pass. Players would grind for long periods to unlock the new hero or pay ten dollars to unlock them instantly. This sparked controversy within the fanbase, as a player could pay and have a distinct advantage over other players in a competitive online game.

As a result, the game’s monetization system is heavily criticized. Various cosmetics can be purchased in the shop with paid currency, whereas in the previous game, cosmetics could be earned for free by finding loot boxes.

One of the new heroes, Sojourn, also sparked controversy. On launch, Sojourn was the most robust character in the game, and her abilities allowed her to dominate over all other heroes. Because of fan outcry, her power was reduced, although it took developers an extended period of time to make this adjustment.

The previous game had sorted players into 2 teams of 3, with 2 tanks, damages, and supports. Overwatch 2 sorts players into groups of 5, removing one tank, as it was supposed to make the game more fast-paced.

The gameplay, though, is just as entertaining as the original. The controls are smooth and responsive, while still requiring skill and practice in order to properly play.

Due to the numerous controversies, the developers have been working on sorting out the community’s complaints by making the game more free-to-play for players, along with decreasing the in-game shop’s prices. Balancing has also been made faster and more efficient.

However, Overwatch’s art style remains timeless. The graphics have a perfect combination of realism and cartoonishness, and the recently released cosmetics have intricate details and vivid colors that still connect to the characters’ base designs.

Overall, Overwatch 2 is a very hollow “sequel,” but it still retains the charm and engaging gameplay of the original with incredible graphics.