14 DAY TRIAL // Unsurprisingly, Blizzard introduced the sequel to one of its most recent successes, Overwatch. However, while the announcement isn't surprising, everything about Overwatch 2 is a bit unexpected. The first thing mentioned on stage by Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan is that the upcoming game is heavy on PvE content.
Overwatch 2 actually features a deep story campaign that can be played solo or with up to four friends. These Story Missions will allow each player to take the roles of Overwatch team members as they fight “rising new threats around the globe.”
The game will also let players tackle so-called Hero Missions, which enables them to level up their characters and earn customization options that give access to powerful new abilities. Not a lot of details have been revealed about Story Missions and Hero Missions though, so we're waiting for more info at the Overwatch 2 panels happening at BlizzCon 2019 this weekend.
Blizzard announced a new 6v6 PvP mode called Push will be available in Overwatch 2, in which two teams of players race to make a robot push the map's objective to their opponent's. The new mode will be available in both Casual and Competitive modes and it's playable in the Overwatch League.
Kaplan also said that Overwatch 2 comes with new enemies and factions, as well as new heroes such as Echo and Sojourn. Furthermore, the game will get a visual refresh, as all the characters and existing maps will receive a new design.
More importantly, Kaplan confirmed that Blizzard wants to build “a shared multiplayer environment,” where Overwatch players will be able to play against Overwatch 2 players in PvP matches. Also, current Overwatch players will have access to all the new Overwatch 2 heroes and maps. At the same time, all existing unlocked cosmetics from the first game will be supported in the sequel.
No word yet on when exactly Overwatch 2 will be released, but Blizzard did say the game is “in development” and promised to offer more details soon, so we'll just have to wait now.