Blizzard’s Overwatch 1 shuttered its services forever on October 5th at noon ET, but now Overwatch 2 lives. The new title’s servers turned on around 3pm ET on PC and console. While it’s a completely different game, it’s essentially an update as it still only offers player-versus-player gameplay. Player versus environment and story mode won’t hit the title until 2023.
Overwatch 2 is free-to-play and offers a new battle pass system and in-game store, allowing players to collect new characters, skins, emotes and more. The 80th level of the battle pass also comes with a customizable Mythic skin for Genji. Additionally, Overwatch 2 comes with three new characters, Sojourn (a Canadian hero, finally), Junker Queen and Kiriko – one for each class, support, tank and DPS.
The title also comes with new maps including one based on Toronto’s Queen St. with Kim’s Convenience and everything.
With the free battle pass, you can earn the new hero (if you didn’t already have the first Overwatch) and also get two new epic skins, two souvenirs, one weapon charm, and 15 additional rewards.
The premium tier of the battle pass offers Kiriko as an instant unlock; you can also get a 20 percent season experience boost (presumably to help you gain levels) a new Mythic skin, five legendary skins, an additional epic skin and 66 additional awards, which includes emotes, victory poses, player icons, sprays and more.
Additionally, the new Overwatch shop will have a ‘Just for You’ section with personalized offers based on what you prefer to play and equip in-game. You can also purchase new bundles weekly in the in-game store and complete weekly challenges to earn coins.
The update also revealed that the Halloween event this year has changed and will take place from October 25th to November 8th.
Overwatch 2 will be adding a new tank character by the end of the year.
I played the console beta for the game, so if you want to learn more, here were my thoughts.