Overwatch 2 Season 15: A Resurgence?
Overwatch 2, launched two and a half years after its predecessor, faced a tumultuous start. In August 2023, it earned the dubious distinction of being Steam's worst-reviewed game ever, largely due to monetization controversies and the controversial transition from a premium title to a free-to-play model that rendered the original Overwatch unplayable. Further fueling the negativity was the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode.
Despite retaining a "mostly negative" overall Steam rating, a significant shift is underway. Recent reviews reveal a marked improvement, reaching a "mixed" rating. A remarkable 43% of the 5,325 reviews submitted in the last 30 days were positive—a significant turnaround for a game previously mired in overwhelmingly negative feedback.
This positive swing is largely attributed to Season 15's impactful changes. While the roadmap includes expected new content, the core gameplay has undergone a transformation, notably with the introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes.
Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots
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Player sentiment is palpable in recent reviews: "They just released Overwatch 2," one enthused, "The recent update is what the game should always have been before corporate greed got in the way." Another echoed the sentiment: "For once, I must come to Overwatch's defense...Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics." A third review even referenced the popular competitor, Marvel Rivals, stating, "A certain game made them LOCK IN and I couldn't be happier."
Marvel Rivals, a similar hero shooter boasting 40 million downloads since its December launch, has undeniably impacted the competitive landscape. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged this new reality, calling the situation "exciting" and Marvel Rivals' success "really great," even praising its innovative take on established Overwatch mechanics. Keller emphasized that this competition has forced Blizzard to adopt a bolder approach: "this is no longer about playing it safe."
While declaring Overwatch's complete comeback is premature, Season 15's impact is undeniable. Steam's peak concurrent player count nearly doubled to 60,000. It's crucial to remember that Overwatch 2 is also available on Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox, with player numbers on those platforms unavailable. For comparison, Marvel Rivals recently reached 305,816 peak concurrent players on Steam. The future of Overwatch 2 remains uncertain, but Season 15 has undeniably sparked a resurgence of interest and positive player sentiment.
