Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: What's Different?

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: What's Different?
Images via Blizzard

Written by 

Liam Ho

Published 

4th Oct 2022 09:29

If you're reading this, you want to see Overwatch vs Overwatch 2 explained to learn about the differences between the multiplayer hero shooters and how much the core of the game has been altered. It's been six years since Overwatch released, and now the sequel looks to shake things up after a long time of stagnation. With the arrival of Overwatch 2, a lot of players are asking what the key differences are between it and its prequel. Fortunately, we’ve got a list of everything changing from Overwatch going into Overwatch 2.

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: Bye-Bye Tank

Easily one of the biggest changes between the two games is that we’re losing a potential teammate. Which role is getting the cut, you ask? Unfortunately, one of the tank slots will be removed when Overwatch 2 is released. That means a lot of tanks will be reworked so that they can tank for the team by themselves. Teams will now consist of 5v5 instead of 6v6.

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: New Maps

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Overwatch 2 will also be dropping with new maps to accompany the brand-new game. These maps, like all other maps in Overwatch, will vary in terms of gameplay objectives such as Payload etc. There are currently eight confirmed new maps for Overwatch 2:

  • New York City
  • Toronto
  • Rome
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Gothenburg
  • Monte Carlo
  • India
  • Portugal, Esperança

 

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: New Heroes And Reworks

Alongside the new maps, Overwatch 2 will drop three new heroes, one for each role. So far for each role we’ve got Junker Queen as the new Tank, Sojourn as the new DPS, and Kiriko as the new Support hero. 

Some of the old Overwatch heroes will also be given tune-ups or reworks for the new game. The most notable heroes receiving reworks are:

  • Bastion
  • Moira
  • Orisa
  • Doomfist

Out of all these heroes, Doomfist received the biggest change to his kit, changing his role from a DPS into a Tank now.

Another large overall rework is the removal of stuns from all heroes except for tanks. This mainly affects heroes like Brigitte with her Shield Slam, Mei with her slowing primary fire and finally Cassidy, whose flashbang has been turned into more of a sticky grenade instead.

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: Push Mode

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Push Mode is the newest game mode coming to Overwatch 2. This mode can be thought of as a tug of war between the two teams. Instead of an attack or defence, the teams will be attempting to maintain control of a robot as it pushes a barrier towards the enemy spawn. 

It’s important to note that with the coming of Push Mode, Overwatch 2 will say goodbye to Assault or 2 CP, which was famously known as a game mode that stalled for far too long. 

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: Cosmetics And Voice Lines

In classic Overwatch fashion, we’ll be receiving new voice lines as well as cosmetics. This will include a new classic skin for all heroes that can be changed in the hero customization menu. 

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: Battle Pass

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We’ll also be seeing the removal of Loot Boxes from Overwatch as a game in general, as the second instalment of the game will be completely getting rid of them in favour of a Battle pass. Similar to other battle passes, Overwatch 2’s one will offer various player cosmetics and possibly a new hero if they’re featured for the season. 

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: Scoreboard Updates

The scoreboard was always a controversial topic in Overwatch. With no way to track certain stats or see how other players on your team were doing, its simplicity divided the player base.

Now with Overwatch, you’ll be able to see stats like KDA, Damage, Healing and Mitigation. The new scoreboard will also track all players' ultimate progression and provide more specific stats of the hero to the player itself.

Overwatch Vs Overwatch 2: The PvE Mode

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The PvE mode was supposed to be the crowning feature of the game, allowing players to try the game in a new context. However, the PvE mode will not be dropping with Overwatch, so it might be some time before we get our hands on it fully next year. 

It’s worth noting that the PvE mode of Overwatch is supposed to be a paid mode, unlike the rest of the game which is free to play.

For more Overwatch 2 guides, keep reading GGRecon.

Liam is a freelance writer from Sydney, Australia. He currently writes for GGRecon, Blitz UNSW and works as a team leader at Summoner’s Society OCE. He is addicted to MMOs, mainly Final Fantasy XIV.

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