Sometimes healthy competition is all it takes for Blizzard’s Overwatch to shake up its competitive hero-based first-person shooter.
My excitement for the series' future stems from the latest Overwatch 2 Spotlight event that aired last night. The showcase highlights an update to its hero-shooting mechanics, game modes, and teasers for new heroes.
I’ve been playing Overwatch since its release in 2016, and I have both loved and hated it over the years, but I never gave up on it. It’s one of the rare hero-shooters that oozes personality, featuring high-skill gameplay, diverse game modes, and polished performance.
That’s exactly why I’m happy to see Overwatch finally trying again after months of stagnation. Here are a few reasons why I think Overwatch 2 is heading in the right direction with these updates:
Perks Can Solve Overwatch's Balancing Issues
The biggest change I noticed was the addition of ‘Perks’. These game-changing mechanics can potentially solve Overwatch 2’s persistent counter-swapping problem. According to the Overwatch team, Perks are essentially free upgrade points that drastically change your hero’s playstyle. Each hero has a maximum of two upgrade levels, with each tier offering two skill perks that alter abilities' passive or active functions.
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+ 7For example, if you're playing Ramattra and your team lacks a hitscan hero to counter an enemy Pharah, you can select the perk ‘Vengeful Vortex,’ enabling Ramattra’s Ravenous Vortex to trigger airborne, dealing 50 damage and pulling enemies downward, effectively ending Pharah’s aerial dominance.
This system addresses counter-swapping by giving players dynamic options and greater agency to adapt their heroes according to the enemy team’s strategy. Perks charge similarly to an Ultimate but have a separate UI. Upgrading a perk is quick and easy, requiring players to simply press ALT and select between two choices using the left and right mouse buttons.
click to enlarge + 7All heroes have access to Perks, providing a multitude of options to dominate the battlefield. Reaper and Bastion, for instance, regain some of their old abilities through Perks, such as Reaper’s Soul Reaver ability and Bastion’s self-repair.
Note that Perks cannot be reversed once chosen, meaning your selection will persist for the rest of the match.
Stadium Attracts Third-Person Enthusiasts
As mentioned, healthy competition has pushed Blizzard to add more game modes to Overwatch 2, and it’s clear that Marvel Rivals had them on edge. Stadium is another excellent addition to Overwatch 2’s diverse game modes. This arena mode encourages players to ‘play how they want’.
click to enlarge + 7The reintroduction of Overwatch’s scrapped PvE abilities adds even more chaos to the battlefield. Eliminations grant currency that players can use to purchase passive or active skills for their heroes. Imagine Reaper levitating in Wraith Form or Kiriko throwing multiple Kunais – these additions bring the hero power fantasies to life, prioritizing fun over balance, which is exactly what Stadium is all about.
click to enlarge + 7Additionally, players can toggle between first-person and the new third-person mode, catering to those coming from Marvel Rivals who prefer a third-person perspective.
Nostalgia Bait Is Good, I Guess?
Some say Overwatch 2 is essentially reviving the original Overwatch, and I see nothing wrong with that. While some features may be considered nostalgia bait, Overwatch 2 is refining what made both games appealing. The return of Lootboxes, despite being controversial and considered ‘illegal’ in some countries, allows players to earn free cosmetics, which is a welcome addition for those who can’t afford in-game purchases.
click to enlarge + 7Rank icons have also returned, displaying your current rank near your player icon and name at all times, eliminating the guesswork of identifying the Gold player causing your team’s downfall.
Finally, Hero & Map Bans!
After all these years, we’re finally getting hero bans — something long-time players have been requesting for quite a while. NetEase’s Marvel Rivals had it, so why shouldn’t a hero-shooter like Overwatch have it too? This is a great decision as it creates unique matches depending on which heroes are banned.
click to enlarge + 7We might finally see a decline in overperforming heroes like Hazard and Orisa in Ranked matches, making room for underperforming heroes to shine. Personally, I’m just glad I can ban Juno or Kiriko.
Map bans are a great addition as well. The esports community has already implemented this, so why shouldn’t regular players have the same option? With this feature, we can finally remove Colosseo entirely — kidding.
New Heroes
A hero shooter isn’t complete without new heroes, and Blizzard knows the roster needs constant expansion to keep the meta fresh. The Overwatch 2 Spotlight revealed Freja, a huntress from Denmark, as the newest hero. She is a high-skill character with a crossbow capable of dealing high-damage shots with remarkable accuracy, appealing to Widowmaker and Ashe mains. Freja will be available in Season 16.
click to enlarge + 7Another new hero, Aqua from China, was also teased. While his abilities remain a mystery, it’s exciting to see Blizzard introducing new characters.
These updates are just the beginning of what the Overwatch team has in store. The significant changes and concrete plans presented by Aaron Keller and his team are promising steps forward after Jeff Kaplan’s departure.
I’m just glad to see Overwatch trying again, and I’m happy that the hero shooter I’ve loved for eight years continues to grow.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Features and Overwatch 2 page.