Overwatch has become one of the globe’s most beloved FPS titles. Packed to the brim with awesome characters, beautiful maps, and accompanied by a vibrant esports scene, Blizzard’s flagship FPS has cemented its place in gaming history.
As a result, when it was announced at Blizzcon 2019 that there would be a sequel, fans rejoiced. While the road to release has been long, the pieces are finally starting to fall into place.
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Overwatch 2 Release Date
Overwatch 2 is set to launch on Tuesday, October 4. However, it’s worth noting that this initial launch will be focused entirely on PvP and come with the ‘early access’ label.
Blizzard has been tight-lipped about a specific release date for the game since its announcement. That is until the announcement came during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022 event.
Even with an initial release date set, the exact rollout remains a mystery. While early access offers the full PVP experience, with new maps, a new mode, and three new heroes, it is unclear when PVE will be added. We only have 2023 to go on for now, so it could be a while before the full package is available.
Overwatch 2 Platforms
As was the case with its predecessor, Overwatch 2 will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, as well as PC. These platforms include the recent PS5 and Xbox X | S Series as well as previous gen hardware in PS4 and Xbox One.
In terms of crossplay, the game will support players playing together across all platforms, as well as cross-progression.
However, according to John Lafleur, technical director, in a Reddit AMA, Overwatch 2 on Switch will have “some compromises”:
Overwatch 2: Trailer
Check out the release date trailer below. This brief snippet also gave us our first look at Junker Queen character.
Overwatch 2 sees the reunion of a group of familiar faces to take on the Omnics once more. A terminator-style animation depicts a band of the robotic enemies laying siege to an unprepared Paris, but they are stopped by Winston, Mei, Echo, Tracer, Brigitte, Mercy, Genji, and Reinhardt.
The invasion stretches further than Paris though, and our merry band of heroes is seen taking on more of the killer androids in Rio De Janeiro. This trailer also gives us a few hints into what the gameplay will actually look like.
Overwatch 2 Gameplay
When it comes to the newest installment in the Overwatch franchise, we’ve seen a whole host of new features revealed over the past few years.
One of these is the ‘talents’ progression system, in which players can improve each hero’s abilities and power as they progress through co-op missions. This is an almost Heroes of the Storm-style approach that many players have been hoping for.
Snippets of gameplay shown in the above trailer also give us a hint as to how these co-op missions will work, with players appearing to form groups to battle waves of Omnics. The basic premise, however, remains the same, and while we’ve seen some teasers of new maps and heroes, it appears that Overwatch’s gameplay will remain largely unchanged.
5v5 teams and Tank Changes
One of the most divisive aspects of the game has been confirmed: matches will now be 5v5. The change, announced on May 20, is a significant departure from the current 2-2-2 split that has been at the heart of the game for years. This means that there will only be two damage heroes, two support heroes, and one tank in the game. This means that tank roles are changing, with tanks like Winston receiving alternate fire that allows them to charge a blast that can then be shot at range. Check out our tank change guide for more information.
New Seasonal Structure in Overwatch 2
With the transition to free-to-play comes a completely new Overwatch 2 structure. Following in the footsteps of many other popular online titles, the sequel will move forward with a seasonal model. Season 1 will be released on October 4th, and will include the game’s first Battle Pass.
Players can unlock 80-Tiers of free and premium rewards, including poses, voicelines, and even new Mythic Skins, with each Battle Pass. Rare Prestige tier titles are also available after completing a given Battle Pass.
While Kiriko will debut in Season 1, new content will be released in alternating seasons. For example, one season may bring a new map, while the next may bring a new hero.
New Game Modes
The main new feature for Overwatch 2 will be its story-based offerings. These PvE modes will fill a void many fans feel the franchise never truly filled since its debut, and will be playable in co-op.
Judging by the trailer, it looks like players will band together to battle their way through Omnic-infested cities, all whilst having to coordinate their attacks and adapt to their enemies. The story itself is a new concept for Overwatch fans, but maybe we’ll see the ability to create unique combination attacks.
The sequel is adding a new “Push” game mode for the multiplayer side of the hero-based shooter. The symmetrical map-type pits players against their opposition to take control of a central robot that needs to be pushed towards the opponent’s base.
The game will also include an unannounced mode set on one of the “largest PVP maps ever created.” Details are scarce, but we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
New Heroes
The fact that some new characters will join the fray is one of the sequel’s main selling points. Echo, the most recent addition to the squad, was released in April 2020.
Fans have been clamouring for more additions to the tank and support pool since then. A new hero joins the fray in the gameplay release trailer. Sojourn, who wears iconic silver dreadlocks, is a key character in the video.
Blizzard finally revealed the hero in full months after her first appearance, with a dedicated Sojourn deep dive. There’s a lot that distinguishes her, from her devastating railgun to her powerful slide ability.
The highly anticipated Junker Queen was the next new hero revealed for Overwatch 2. After years of speculation, the hero will finally make her appearance in the upcoming sequel.
While her first appearance in the final Beta sparked some debate due to the meta-defining power of her kit, she’s since been fine-tuned ahead of launch.
Last but not least, Kiriko, a Support hero who was revealed in September, just weeks before her release, rounds out the new additions. This powerful character has the ability to teleport through walls, deal insane critical damage, and even grant her allies temporary invulnerability.
Aside from the new heroes, we’ve also seen some iconic new looks for some of the original roster. You can see all of the new looks that have been revealed thus far by clicking here.
Till Then, keep yourself updated with all the latest news from our website dailyrealtime.com.
