Is Overwatch 2 Worth Playing?

After a lengthy love/hate relationship with Overwatch since starting near launch in 2016, I was remiss to hear that it was receiving a sequel. After plenty of delays and underwhelming presentations, it finally had an unceremonious launch in October of this year. I was devastated to see the original going away but eventually decided to give the sequel a try, since my unlocks and skill level would transition. So, is it worth picking up?

The original issue with the lack of content for a sequel is both a good and bad thing. It’s good because those that spent extensive time in the original game will slip into 2 like a new pair of familiar gloves. The bad part is that the first game shouldn’t have been decommissioned just for some new voice lines, a few reworks, and a whopping three new characters to play. There’s plenty to unravel as characters need to be mastered again, but never seeing six-versus-six gameplay again makes it a whole different beast.

Overwatch 2‘s Battle Pass, while conducive to profit, is just not necessary. While every online game seems to have one now, there is nothing in either the free or paid tiers that I would desire to have, as I’ve amassed dozens of amazing skins with my time in the original Overwatch that have carried over. Never having spent a cent on loot boxes for the six years Overwatch was up, I was fine with the endless duplicates they drew because the game’s special events made it worth it.

As far as gameplay is concerned, Overwatch 2 has several ups and downs compared to its predecessor. While the decision to only have one tank seems baffling, it makes sense thanks to proper buffing and utility for this role. What was once the least played role has now become the most played. Damage heroes can steamroll with proper talent, but are also countered thanks to the extensive roster. Healers have a tall task, so they’ve received a passive where they can all self-heal out of combat to encourage survivability.

I spent the bulk of my time in the first Overwatch in the Arcade, and while 2 has retained my favorite in mystery heroes, this aspect of fun seems downplayed in comparison to the competitive mode. Seeing top OW1 players rank drastically lower in OW2‘s first season was a shock to the system, and proof that the learning curve is there for those who wish to seek it. At the end of the day, though, this is a change I didn’t fully want to embrace. I find myself just wanting to play the original Overwatch I grew accustomed to for half a decade.

At the end of the day, Overwatch 2 is more than just the reskin many thought it would end up being. There’s ample content added and changes that really shakes up the gameplay, but those who aren’t willing to embrace change aren’t going to have a good time. New players will have a lot of catching up to do, but I’ve found the skill level of my matches to be adequate. Whenever I’m tilted, a switch to a different hero keeps me in the fight. If you’re interested, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, so there’s no risk of spending money if you don’t end up having a good time.