WhenOverwatch 2was announced back in 2019, Blizzard promised two core components. The first component was a refinement of the classic PvP experience of the firstOverwatch. The second and arguably more important component was billed as an evolution ofOverwatch’s PvE events that included light RPG elements. While Blizzard would eventually releaseOverwatch 2’s PvP mode on June 17, 2025, it decided to delay the game’s new PvE offerings to sometime in 2023.
In a recent dev chat,game director Aaron Keller and executive producer Jared Neuss delivered the news thatOverwatch 2’s planned PvE experience will not be releasingin its original intended state. Rather than being a separate experience from the PvP modes, the PvE campaign will seem to follow in the same vein as other themed events. This may not be a big deal for players who are focused onOverwatch2’s PvP aspects, but those who were looking forward to more canon adventures with Tracer and the gang will be understandably disappointed.
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Overwatch 2’s PvE Is Starting To Feel Like An Afterthought
In a 2019 gameplay trailer,Overwatch 2’s PvE mode had many unique features. Fully voiced dialogue, scripted sequences that made use of both existing and new maps (a modified Paraiso map was one of many to be shown under attack by Null Sector), and most exciting of all, the ability to level up characters and customize their abilities (such asTracer with a multi-chain Pulse Bomb).Overwatch 2’s PvE content was shaping up to be a place where players could unwind by fighting AI-controlled enemies. PvE would also appeal to those who aren’t keen on diving into the competitive and often toxic PvP and would rather immerse themselves in the lore.
Sadly, the skill trees and abilities shown in the 2019 trailer will not be making it into the final game. What remains of the scrapped PvE campaign will be turned into bite-sized story missions akin to themed events like Junkenstein’s Revenge andthe space opera-themed Starwatch. As it stands, these upcoming campaign missions sound no different from those showcased in the originalOverwatch’s Archives. Archives was a special event that let players take part in canonical stories told in theOverwatchworld. While they ran for a limited time each year, Archives stories would quickly lose their luster due to their repetitiveness and lack of progression and customization.
Overwatch 2’s PVP Content Can Only Do So Much To Differentiate The Title From The Original Game
With the main draw ofOverwatch 2’s PvE missing, it becomes harder to justify the game’s nature as a sequel. By and large,Overwatch 2still offers the same PvE content with a few new additional modes. Its PvP experience is not exactly revolutionary either. The shift to 5v5,the addition ofOverwatch 2’s Push mode, and the inclusion of a few new maps are mired by rollbacks of old game modes like Assault and maps that implement them. Taking all of this into consideration, these changes could have been implemented into the firstOverwatchwithout the need to make a sequel.
Now that the PvE component will be tacked onto the main game, PvP has to pick up the pace and deliver something truly amazing for players. This move by Blizzard shows that it is focusing on this aspect ofOverwatch 2more than anything, so it has to pay off. The developers seem like they are trying to salvage what they can ofthe scrappedOverwatchPvE campaign featuring Genji and companybut since PvP is the only concrete thing players have in their hands now, Blizzard has to make good on its promise to makeOverwatch 2a game worthy of the title.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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