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Overwatch 2 recently launched its open beta, and its new 5v5 formatting is introducing more challenges to the game's longevity and identity. While Blizzard's news on Overwatch 2's development was released in irregular segments, but lowering the total number of players in each match took the community by surprise. While Overwatch 2 takes numerous features from the first game, many heroes and roles experienced profound changes to fit the new maps and meta introduced in the sequel. Unfortunately, early opinions in the open beta are mixed regarding the new game mechanic, which could raise more problems than Blizzard can handle with its latest flagship title.
Overwatch 2, much like the first game, is a team-based hero shooter with a selection of over thirty unique characters from the previous game. Additionally, OW2 launches with a new character: Sojourn. Blizzard plans to release Overwatch 2 with a new game mode (Push), a story campaign, a ping system, and more updated gameplay features in its finished form. Fans can also expect new maps, characters, and seasonal events added throughout the game's lifetime. Unfortunately, it's unlikely for Blizzard to waver on its 5v5 team format and restore Overwatch's original team compositions. While the community should adapt to this change in the future, 5v5 is already posing issues for new and returning players.
As a multiplayer shooter, Overwatch's difficulty is determined by the player population in each match. Independent internet connections, player skill, experience, and team communication all factor into claiming victory in each game. When new games release, the skill levels for different players often reset, but Overwatch 2 exists in a unique position given that many core gameplay mechanics remain the same despite the 5v5 gameplay PvP, and current Overwatch players can carry existing skillsets over to the sequel and drastically increase the skill disparity at release. While the new player count aims to shift the game's meta, it unintentionally sabotages several roles and casual enjoyment in the title. The Overwatch 2 open beta does not represent the final product, but it's unlikely that Blizzard would change the team format, leaving these issues almost certain.
Supports Are Bigger Targets In Overwatch 2
Hero Classes in Overwatch are divided into DPS, Tank, and Support, but the original game once featured Tank, Support, Offense, and Defense Heroes. In any shooter, Support characters often receive the highest focus from the enemy team, as they are responsible for healing, buffing, and reviving their team in various ways. For example, Overwatch's popular Mercy character can revive, heal, and damage boost her allies, while Lucio can dispense AOE healing and speed boosts that change the tides of battle. As a result, these characters experienced lower damage outputs and lower health totals than DPS or Tank characters on their team. To be successful and survive, Supports often accompanied Tank characters or paired with several DPS to be defended. Unfortunately, Overwatch 2's 5v5 format heavily restricts existing strategies for Support players and puts them at greater risk than before.
Overwatch 2 features one Tank character per team, destroying many pre-determined strategies from the previous title. Instead of eliminating two characters with impressive health bars and sabotaging abilities, players only need to focus on one. With the loss of a big target, the two remaining Support characters also suffer from a larger target on their backs. While some players may have neglected Support character's attacks in favor of healing allies or escaping, this is no longer an option. Overwatch 2 forces Support characters to take a more active combat role to survive assaults from the limited team. Unfortunately, many characters can't compete with DPS characters' impressive damage output and offensive abilities. Support roles are crucial to the team's success, but their increasingly complex and frustrating drawbacks may increase wait times in matchmaking. In addition, Overwatch is one of the most toxic gaming communities in the entire industry, as reported by eSports Bets, which could further alienate new Support players and cripple Overwatch 2 before it properly releases.
Overwatch 2's Switch To 5v5 Can Make It Harder For Casual Players
Overwatch has always emphasized teamwork, with the more communicative and cooperative team claiming victory in each match. Team compositions, map knowledge, hero experience, and battle strategies executed throughout the game also increase a team's chances of success. Extreme circumstances aside, the more players on one's team improve the chances of claiming victory, as another person's abilities can complete team synergy. Despite Overwatch's sometimes toxic community, new players could ensure their learning curves and mistakes were covered by more experienced players. However, more casual players may be alienated by the sequel's shift to a 5v5 format, considering the smaller team size.
The games space is filled with toxic communities, workplaces, players, forums, and more. Protected behind screens and usernames, many players become emboldened to spew hatred and lewd frustration at others. As a result, many players avoid text and voice chat to improve their gaming experience. However, Overwatch 2's increased emphasis on team coordination could force many players into a more concentrated, toxic environment. A 5v5 team composition leaves less room for error and a harsher learning curve for new players, which could cripple Overwatch 2's incoming player base.
Overwatch 2 No Longer Has Cool Tank Combinations
When Overwatch launched, players could choose unlimited heroes (and duplicates of heroes) in every game, but later updates restricted players to different roles in the casual and ranked game modes. While this regulated team play, it also limited more ambitious and irregular team builds. Unfortunately, Overwatch 2 removed an additional Tank slot from team compositions, limiting player freedoms and playstyles in the existing multiplayer format even more. Breaking from tradition is essential for evolving Overwatch's game mechanics and preventing the sequel from being too repetitive, but limiting gameplay opportunities could be a mistake. Tank roles in Overwatch games are pivotal, as they protect their team and lead charges onto Capture Points and Payloads. Since some Tank characters are likely to become more valuable than others, this further limits DPS and Support choices to create the perfect team composition.
It's unknown how players will receive Overwatch 2, as Blizzard has been mired in controversy from the Hong Kong Protests and its sexual harassment lawsuits in recent years. Swarms of players have abandoned its IPs in protest, and an investigation of the company is ongoing. Overwatch 2 could be an opportunity for Blizzard developers to reclaim their integrity in the gaming community, but the company's reputation is likely beyond complete repair. Overwatch 2 is currently in open beta, with codes available through streams, the OWL, and the official game website. Unfortunately, the full release for Overwatch 2 is expected in 2023 at the earliest, with more delays possible as Blizzard continues development.
Links: Esports Bets