At Blizzcon 2019, Blizzard finally announcedOverwatch 2. The sequel to the massively popular multiplayer shooter wasannounced with a lengthy cinematic trailerthat set up the stakes for the new story-focused game. After weeks of leaks, rumors have been confirmed and more new details have been unveiled.Overwatch 2has been announced for PC and current gen consoles with no word yet on release date or next gen versions.
To close its opening presentation, Blizzard gaveOverwatchfans an incredible cinematic to dig into and dumped a bunch of new information regarding the game. Here is everything revealed at Blizzcon 2019 aboutOverwatch 2.
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Overwatch 2 will have a new PvE Story Mode
One of the biggest rumors surroundingOverwatch 2was that a new PvE mode would be added. In theOverwatch 2gameplay trailershown to wrap up the presentation, this co-op PvE story mode was finally confirmed. The story mode will pit heroes against hordes of Omnics. The Omnic invasion is the catalyst for the plot ofOverwatch 2,which was detailed in the cinematic trailer.
The story missions, which can be played co-op, will let players choose specific characters and level them up as they play, teaching themnewOverwatch 2skills and abilities. This new progression system was briefly shown in the trailer and like in Blizzard’sHeroes of the Storm, it appears players have to choose between two new abilities every time they hit a certain level.
It is currently unknown which heroes, if not all, will be playable in the PvE mode. It is also not yet confirmed, but highly speculated, if these abilities and levels will be PvE only or if they will have some bearing on the traditional multiplayer modes.
Sojourn is the newest confirmed hero
Sojourn is the newest hero joining theOverwatchfamily. Blizzard didn’t release any details about the character, but she looks pretty cool. However fans ofOverwatchthat aren’t interested in single-player shouldn’t have to worry about shelling out another $60 to see Sojourn in action. Blizzard confirmed that allOverwatch 2heroes and mapswill make their way to the original game.
Another character was shown in the trailers as well. The blue OmnicEchowas shown off as a pretty important character in the story ofOverwatch 2. This character has been rumored to be one of the next heroes, but so far nothing is confirmed.
New PvP mode Push confirmed
A surprising new announcement is going to introduce a new competitive multiplayer mode toOverwatch 2. ThePvP mode Pushis going to be a core mode ofOverwatchgoing forward and will be added to the first game as well. The 6v6 mode sees players trying to get a robot to push an object to their objective before the opposing team does the same. The mode will have new maps designed specifically for Push.
Four new maps are being added to both games
In addition to new modes, Blizzard announced some new maps that will be added toOverwatchand its upcoming sequel. The first map, shown off in the trailers, is Toronto. Toronto is the first Canadian map to be added to the game and it will be the first exclusive Push mode map. It also happens to be the home of Sojourn, the newest hero who hails from Canada.
The other maps are Rio de Janeiro, which will have a PvE version for the story missions, Monte Carlo, and Gothenburg. The breadth of locales continue the globetrotting trend of previousOverwatchmaps.
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Classic Heroes are getting new designs
The gameplay trailer showed off fan favorites like Mei, Lucio, and Tracer. These classicOverwatchheroes are getting new designs. These appear to be range from slight reskins for a character like Mercy to a complete visual overhaul for Reinhardt (he has lost the iconic helmet in favor of the grizzled old man look). The characters that are confirmed forOverwatch 2and have new designs are Genji, Reinhardt, Lucio, Tracer, Mei, Winston, Brigitte, Torbjorn, and Bastion.
Progression from Overwatch 1 will carry over
As has been hinted at with the maps and characters, a good deal will be carried over fromOverwatchto its sequel. In order to achieve the most seamless transition possible,Blizzard has confirmed that progression fromOverwatch 1will carry over.This means everything players have unlocked in their years withOverwatch. Levels, skins, stats. That information will all be carried over toOverwatch 2.
This ambitious sequel aims to please hardcore fans of theOverwatchmore with story content, but clearly does not want to alienate its currently huge player base. The announcements regarding compatibility between the two games is perhaps the most unexpected news to come out of theOverwatch 2reveal but hopefully it is a risk that pays off.
Overwatch 2is in development for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
