Is Overwatch 2 the same game as its predecessor? Plenty of people have echoed this belief that there haven’t been enough changes made to the sequel to warrant Blizzard slapping the ‘2’ at the end of its title.
However, despite it looking pretty similar, there have been a number of notable changes made to the FPS sequel. Unfortunately, not all of them have been good changes.
Here’s a list of both the good AND bad changes that have been introduced to Overwatch 2.
Good and bad changes between Overwatch 2 and 1
The best and worst alterations made to Blizzard’s sequel.
-
BAD: The on-fire meter is gone
Characters still say they’re “on fire” when performing well, though there is no visual indication on the HUD that this is the case. This was a small but rewarding addition to the original game, and given that the voice lines remain, it feels like it was ripped out of Overwatch 2. -
GOOD: Shields are not as effective
The move to one tank is controversial, but the biggest improvement as a result of this change is the lack of shields. The first Overwatch was littered with shields that made many match-ups insufferable. -
BAD: Monetization
Prices for skins have been inflated greatly, yet players can only earn 60 credits per week. Progress is also now completely tied to the Battle Pass, with no separate leveling system. -
GOOD: Easier for newcomers
The original Overwatch became an impenetrable mess of shields, CC, and direct counters. The switch to 5 vs 5 has made Overwatch 2 more forgiving and appealing to newcomers, making the game less messy visually and far more straightforward than its predecessor. -
BAD: Post-match reports are removed
Another curious change, the post-match reports that let you vote on the best player in the game are no longer in Overwatch 2. This was a great way for everyone to show their appreciation of the top-performing player, but now we get… nothing. -
GOOD: It’s fun for DPS players
Now that a lot of CC has been removed, good DPS players can suitably wreak havoc on their opponents. The likes of Genji and Tracer are already proving to be menaces, and for those who prefer their matches more fast-paced, this is a good move. -
BAD: Similar maps
Overwatch 2’s new maps aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re certainly similar to one another in terms of overall feel. The original Overwatch boasted maps that were very distinct from one another, but there’s nothing in the new batch that rivals the likes of Route 66 and King’s Row. -
GOOD: A fresh change of pace
Overwatch 2 favors individual performances over team play, something that is going to be very divisive. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing — given that the majority of players won’t be teaming up with four of their friends every session, this could be good for the longevity of the fledgling series.
