Overwatch 2 Reviews Surge to 'Mixed' After Steam Low

Overwatch 2 Season 15 is proving to be a turning point, significantly improving player sentiment and potentially reversing the game's disastrous reputation. Launched nearly nine years after the original Overwatch and two and a half years after Overwatch 2's controversial release, the game briefly held the unenviable title of Steam's worst-reviewed game in August 2023. Criticism centered heavily on its monetization practices and the forced transition from the original, paid version to a free-to-play sequel, rendering the original unplayable. Further controversies, including the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode, added fuel to the fire.

While still holding a "mostly negative" overall rating on Steam, recent reviews paint a different picture. Season 15's launch has shifted the recent review average to "mixed," with a positive 43% out of 5,325 reviews in the past 30 days. This is a substantial shift for a game previously drowning in negativity.

This positive swing is largely attributed to Season 15's sweeping changes. While future updates promise new content, the core gameplay has undergone a significant overhaul, notably with the introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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Positive player feedback reflects this shift. Comments like, "They just released Overwatch 2," and "The recent update is what the game should always have been before corporate greed got in the way," highlight the impact of these changes. Another player stated, "For once, I must come to Overwatch's defense and say they really have stepped up their game. Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics to the game." This positive sentiment also acknowledges the influence of the successful competitor, Marvel Rivals.

The emergence of Marvel Rivals, a similar hero shooter with 40 million downloads since its December launch, has undeniably impacted Blizzard's approach. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, calling the situation "exciting" and Marvel Rivals' success "really great," even noting its innovative take on established Overwatch mechanics. However, Keller also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has forced Blizzard to adopt a bolder, less risk-averse strategy for Overwatch 2, emphasizing a move away from "playing it safe."

While it's premature to declare Overwatch's triumphant return, the improvement is undeniable. Season 15 has boosted Steam player numbers nearly twofold, reaching peak concurrent players of 60,000. It's important to note that this only reflects Steam data; the game's performance on Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox remains undisclosed. For comparison, Marvel Rivals boasts significantly higher peak concurrent player counts on Steam (305,816 in the last 24 hours). The ongoing fluctuation in Overwatch 2's Steam reviews suggests a long road ahead, but Season 15's impact is clear.