Overwatch 2 was announced in 2019, and players were eagerly waiting to see the changes in the new gameplay. The game has to be made unique, so it was important to make some exciting additions to the game or possibly eliminate some.
Overwatch 2 comes with some major and perhaps unexpected changes. These changes have received appraisal, as well as some criticism. Before we can decide if these are helpful or not, let us look at what these changes are. You can also check the services that we are providing for Overwatch 2 such as Overwatch 2 Boosting and Overwatch 2 Quickplay Wins.
Free Gameplay
Overwatch was previously quite an expensive game. You had to pay for the game and their online subscriptions. You would have some free days, usually the weekends, but the price tag for weekdays was heavy. The free version was just a demo for the game. The new overwatch has been changed into free gameplay. Things are available to you when you start playing. After some time, you can buy things with money only if you want. There is no requirement.
Medals to Replace Scores
Previously, you would see a scoreboard at the end of their match to show the best players. It has been updated with a new system. It shows whatever you did in the match, for example, how much healing you did collectively. Now the scorecard has less text. The fun elements have been reduced, and you only see the numbers. The ranking of cards, such as gold and silver has been removed.
This scorecard shows your leftover ultimate alongside your name on it. The ‘Damaged mitigated” number replaces the already present ‘damage taken’ numbers. It implies the amount of damage you and your allies received in the game. It includes the damage that occurred while you had a shield or a barrier.
End Cards are Gone
Whenever you secured a win, your screen showed a Play of the Game. Every player voted for one player who was best in the match. Now, this system has been limited. You will just see a blank screen that shows your level. You can still enforce for your teammates, but this process is more time-consuming and less enjoyable.
New Maps
New mode never comes without new maps. The new mode is Push, which means to move the robot towards a barricade. You can choose it like you chose Escort, Hybrid, Control, or Assault. The team who takes the barricade farthest away from the objective will be declared the winner. This is exciting if you have the escort maps, where the objectives are also moving.
The temples of Anubis and Hanamura are out. Some of the maps have been changed, but most of these changes are easy for the visual appeal. For example, the dark and desert King’s road is now well illuminated. We can see Circuit Royal as an addition to the Escort map. Midtown and Paraido are added to the Hybrid map pool, while the New Queen street map and Colsseo are additions in the push mode.
Campaign
Now the stuff about Overwatch would not remain hidden. We have a new campaign mode, where storytelling would go at its peak. We will get to know about the Omnic crisis and the formation of the Black Watch, Tinformfroa was previously just provided as hints in the cinematic promos. The characters and their pasts were only given as something through their skins and their graffiti on the maps.
Introduction of Battle Pass
Loot boxes are also out of the game, a thing that many will not miss. Loot boxes were not cut because you never knew what you would do. That was an unfair way of awarding the players. Now, we have the battle pass, which gives you an award for every level that you pass. The rewards change with every season. With the battle pass, you know when you will get your favorite skin.
Every tier of the battle pass has free and some premium rewards for you. You will unlock them by achieving the challenges of the game. This gives XP for the battle, which allows you to rank higher in the battle pass tiers. Some of these rewards are only available if the battle pass has a premium version. It will also give a Battle pass XP boost.
New Heroes
This is a benefit that has been removed from Overwatch 2. Original Overwatch was generous to its players and allowed them to choose among the heroes. If you play Overwatch as a beginner, many of the eros will be locked for you. Even pro players will need a battle pass for some amazing heroes. Though you can unlock them easily through challenges, you would miss them being free.
All new heroes, such as Sojourn, and Junker Queen, have been introduced. Junker Queen is a tank, while Sojourn is a damage hero.
5v5 Teams
This is the most drastic change in Overwatch 2. One person has been eliminated from the team completely. This is a change in our memory because we are used to seeing a team of 6 and 5 players with us. The new players will not be concerned about this change, because they were never used to playing the 6 characters.
The character that has been removed is the tank. You cannot play with 2 tanks, where one is the attacker, while the other is the defender. You only have to choose from one. The concept of a Main tank and an Off-tank no longer remains in the gameplay. This seems scary but you will get used to it. The stun effects of all the damaged heroes have been taken away from them. This ability is only left for the tank heroes. This means a Magnetic grenade replaces Cassidy’s Flashbang grenade.
Abilities of Heroes
Many heroes of the game have seen changes in their abilities. For example, the shield of Orisa has been removed. Most of these changes focus on turning the game toward an aggressive mode. You are compelled to play offensively rather than defensively. Overwatch 2 has made heroes capable of multiple tasks. They are made as a Jack of all trades. This change can either be a good charm for you or a confusing one.
Mei could freeze the enemies into a popsicle, but now the fire can only slow down the enemies. Overwatch 2 attempts to reduce the amount of crown control in the game. They aim to produce a smooth experience. So, the effect of knockbacks from any damaged hero has been predicted.
Cosmetics
The new heroes have new skins. This is done to improve the aesthetic appeal of the game. Every hero will have one classic and one classic 2 skin. The exciting part is that the previous skins have not been taken back. You have those available and some new ones also.
Communication
In the New Overwatch season, you can see some improvements in communicating with your allies. You will have a customizable communication wheel. You can also place a line in the area. This ping will tell you the location of your enemies. Your allies would also see this position. Some heroes also have this ability, such as Ana and her sleep dart, and Mercy’s Resurrect.
Wrapping It Up
These were all the exciting additions to the new Overwatch 2. These changes have made the game more aggressive, funnier, and unique. It has brought a lot of existing exchanges for the players. Yet, some players are dissatisfied with the decrease in damage to some abilities. We think the new abilities and the stronger heroes are enough to counter this slight change. Learn these changes, so you don’t get confused while starting the new gameplay. It will make the win easier for you. With the new Overwatch, you need to get some new strategies.
Source: https://www.thegamer.com/overwatch-2-comparison-changes-differences-sequel/
Second Source: https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/the-difference-between-overwatch-1-and-2/900177