Overwatch Review: Great characters, built with teamwork in mind

[Jos]

Overwatch has only been out for a week, but it’s already a phenomenon. Even people who have never played Overwatch are getting sucked into its orbit through fan fiction, cosplay, memes and porn. That’s because Overwatch is not really a game as much as it’s an event.

Normally, hype tells you nothing concrete about a game, but the hype around Overwatch has become a key part of the experience. The excitement around the game acts as a testament to Blizzard’s dedication to craft, refinement, and iconic character design.

Everything about Overwatch is character-driven. The game technically has a story—there was once an international task force of heroes who banded together to restore peace under a banner called ‘Overwatch’—but the game itself is pretty divorced from that lore. If you’ve never watched any of the (excellent) short on YouTube or read any of the comics, you could play Overwatch without ever knowing what it’s about. The specifics don’t matter that much.

Read the complete review.

 

[Nero7]

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

 

[Steve]

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

You are missing out then, one of the best quality games I have played in years. I will happily pay that asking price for a game that works

 

[tbjamies]

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

Here is a tip. Don't question the cost of a blizzard game, they ARE polish. I haven't played a game this fun in years and its basically breaking the internet. Your 4 line reason for not getting is going to extremely embarrassing if you ever do try it, believe me those who have are laughing at your comment. Its brilliant.

 

[Edito]

I won't pay because no matter how you put it it's not on the same level of production as The Witcher for example that I would gladly pay more than 60$ because they deserve that but not tis, for me this game, battleborn, battlefront, rainbow six siege and alike are not worth 60$.

 

[Burty117]

I really hope they make a Story mode for this game or explain it a bit more, so far all the shorts, the maps and character speeches in game. It sounds like an epic world to create an awesome story in. Humans that hate Robots. Reaper and Mercy seem to know each other. Torbjorn created Reinhardt's Armour, Tracer and Mei seem to go back a long time. I want Blizzard to actually pull off a story driven first person shooter. We haven't had a decent one for ages and if the multiplayer aspect of this game is anything to go by. Blizzard could pull it off as an entirely separate game. I would buy it immediately.

 

[davislane1]

Played in the beta. While the characters and secondary gameplay elements (customization, loot, etc.) were fun, the core game didn't sell me on the $60 price tag. Definitely a title to check out once the price comes down, though.

 

[Arris]

I really hope they make a Story mode for this game or explain it a bit more, so far all the shorts, the maps and character speeches in game. It sounds like an epic world to create an awesome story in. Humans that hate Robots. Reaper and Mercy seem to know each other. Torbjorn created Reinhardt's Armour, Tracer and Mei seem to go back a long time. I want Blizzard to actually pull off a story driven first person shooter. We haven't had a decent one for ages and if the multiplayer aspect of this game is anything to go by. Blizzard could pull it off as an entirely separate game. I would buy it immediately.

Have you read the stuff about "project titan" which was meant to be the next big Blizzard MMO like Destiny/Division, how it was cancelled and how some think that Overwatch is scraps of that project turned into a multiplayer shooter. Certainly explains the level of detail/story/animated shorts etc. that have been turned out for it so far.

 

[Agnomen]

To anyone who isn't aware, only the Origins edition is $60. If you're on console that's all you have, but on PC there is a standard edition that you can buy for $40. Blizzard of course kept it almost hidden, but it's available through their website.

 

[Hexic]

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

Here is a tip. Don't question the cost of a blizzard game, they ARE polish. I haven't played a game this fun in years and its basically breaking the internet. Your 4 line reason for not getting is going to extremely embarrassing if you ever do try it, believe me those who have are laughing at your comment. Its brilliant.

^ This.

This is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time. It sure wasn't what I was expecting, and it's unique mechanics that differentiate it from your standard shooter really do pull you in hard.

My girlfriend, roommate, and one co-worker played yesterday for about 3 hours together - and I can honestly say I haven't had that much fun in any MP game in years.

 

[SirChocula]

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

You should do more research before buying to get the most of out your money. I bought the "Origins" edition of the game for 37$ on various sites online. You never have to pay full price for any game, new or old, if you know where to look.

 

[Mythris9]

Maybe Overwatch isn't for everybody but I haven't had this much fun since Quake 2 or Half Life lan parties. I'm not sure what it is exactly but it captures something I think has been lost since those old shooter days while improving it at the same time.

For me it was well worth the price.

And for those that get upset about games not being fun for them....relax it's okay for things to be made that aren't for you that others enjoy

 

[mattfrompa]

$40 for PC. If anyone wants to play, I'm Mrpanucci. Great game with addictive gameplay.

 

[Sniped_Ash]

I have no idea how long I'm going to stay interested in Overwatch (especially with what's coming out later this year), but right now I just can't get enough of it. Being able to make a difference despite having crappy aim is super great.

 

[Evernessince]

$60 game with Microtransactions and lack of content. I don't have so much free money that I would spend it on a game where most of the fun comes from the people you play with. I can spend $0 and get the same result with my friends.

There being a $40 option only applies for certain platforms. It's a $60 games but as always PC gamers have choice.

The lack of a story mode AND multiplayer content all the while taking and locking every little extra (like voices lines and "sprays") behind microtransactions should be abhorred.

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

You are missing out then, one of the best quality games I have played in years. I will happily pay that asking price for a game that works

That's one heck of a low bar. Is the game market so bad that simply well tested games are a must buy now? I know it has the Blizzard level of polish and good characters but besides that there's really nothing.

 

[Kenrick]

$60 game with Microtransactions and lack of content. I don't have so much free money that I would spend it on a game where most of the fun comes from the people you play with. I can spend $0 and get the same result with my friends.

There being a $40 option only applies for certain platforms. It's a $60 games but as always PC gamers have choice.

The lack of a story mode AND multiplayer content all the while taking and locking every little extra (like voices lines and "sprays") behind microtransactions should be abhorred.

60$
MP only
12 maps
3 gamemodes

Nope.

You are missing out then, one of the best quality games I have played in years. I will happily pay that asking price for a game that works

That's one heck of a low bar. Is the game market so bad that simply well tested games are a must buy now? I know it has the Blizzard level of polish and good characters but besides that there's really nothing.

go back to your mario kart 3ds . clearly you have NOT play the game and start to talk all negative about it.

 

[Nero7]

^ This.

This is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time. It sure wasn't what I was expecting, and it's unique mechanics that differentiate it from your standard shooter really do pull you in hard.

My girlfriend, roommate, and one co-worker played yesterday for about 3 hours together - and I can honestly say I haven't had that much fun in any MP game in years.

Ofc the game can be worth the money for you when it provides you with plenty of fun. MP games are sometimes played for hundreds of hours if not thousands.

But really this is Blizzard here. They definitely could do way more. Starcraft 2 is a great example of a game with plenty of value. They are experts in game making and in no shortage of funds.

Overwatch isn't my thing so I wont enjoy it but looking at it from the value of the content its really underwhelming. They did the bare minimum and you know it. That they put micro transactions into this bare minimum 60$ game is an insult. If CoD would do this there would be all hell loose.

Also the graphics look like they're made for Intel HD in mind. To end on a positive note, yes the many hero characters are cool and all. Its just that I happened to play games like Timesplitters and looking at what games provide today for a premium price it really leaves me wondering where we are heading.

 

[YSignal]

PC standard version is $40.00. Microtransactions are optional, you can unlock everything in the game just by playing it, it's all cosmetic stuff anyway. except a few exclusive origin edition skins. All I've spent is the initial 40.00.

 

[Kibaruk]

So I'm going to make a statement that you can't deny: "Blizzard craps gold".

Any hateful comment is just that, haters will hate. Great game, loads of fun on beta and definitely worth the bucks. What I haven't seen recently and what I certainly do not like about Blizz is the slow content pushing for HotS, they get skins often, a new champ to play every other month, but new maps and modes to play definitely they take their time and if this is any indication for new content on Overwatch, I definitely don't like where it's going. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[treetops]

It's a plants vs zombies Garden Warfare copy. But with forced teamwork, smaller maps, smaller battles, less players per game, pvz 24 player multi, no weapon upgrades, no champion unlocks, no defensive plants\towers, a weaker scoreboard, drab maps, dull overall feel and less game modes. PVZ has conquer mode with 10+ maps, 5x bigger then any overwatch map with 5 capture points and a final capture point with a unique team objective on each map.

Pros vs pvz Garden Warfare
Ultimate on every champion, some of the champions skills are not from pvz.

Overall
If you never played PVZ Garden Warfare you will think this game is unique and amazing.

p.s. I have not played a lot of pvz GW2, I played GW1. PVZ Garden Warfare cost 30$ on release.

p.s.s I also don't like the team mix ups, so what if your team is winning? How about you place us against another winning team instead of moving players around?

p.s.s Sigh wish I knew I could have only spent 40$..., the 60$ one is what appeared when I searched on bnet.

 

[Evernessince]

go back to your mario kart 3ds . clearly you have NOT play the game and start to talk all negative about it.

It's great that you feel to need to defend the game and probably your own purchase, you are free to do so. Insulting someone does not suddenly make your comment an argument or lessen my points.

 

[Evernessince]

PC standard version is $40.00. Microtransactions are optional, you can unlock everything in the game just by playing it, it's all cosmetic stuff anyway. except a few exclusive origin edition skins. All I've spent is the initial 40.00.

Microtransactions shouldn't be in a full $60 game, period. They are taking content that is part of the game and sectioning it off through a paywall. If they want to increase the price of the game to compensate for dev costs, they should do so. Of course, there are plenty of examples of very expensive video games (to make) being very very successful. On top of that, the game has less content than 95% of AAA games released.

I've spent less on much much more. The Witcher 3, $37pre-order - BioShock Infinite, $35 pre-order - XCOM 2, $33 pre-order. No Micro-transactions of any of these.

 

[treetops]

Microtransactions shouldn't be in a full $60 game, period. They are taking content that is part of the game and sectioning it off through a paywall. If they want to increase the price of the game to compensate for dev costs, they should do so. Of course, there are plenty of examples of very expensive video games (to make) being very very successful. On top of that, the game has less content than 95% of AAA games released.

I've spent less on much much more. The Witcher 3, $37pre-order - BioShock Infinite, $35 pre-order - XCOM 2, $33 pre-order. No Micro-transactions of any of these.

It depends on the micro transactions, if it just ascetics, like a mount or a new hat who cares. It gives the buyer no advantage and pours more money into the game.

 

[Axiarus]

Best $40 I have spent in a long while. Well worth it. There will be more content in the future as well, it is Blizzard after all. All the naysayers can just sit and wallow in their grumpiness, this game is damn fun.

 

[Axiarus]

PC standard version is $40.00. Microtransactions are optional, you can unlock everything in the game just by playing it, it's all cosmetic stuff anyway. except a few exclusive origin edition skins. All I've spent is the initial 40.00.

Microtransactions shouldn't be in a full $60 game, period. They are taking content that is part of the game and sectioning it off through a paywall. If they want to increase the price of the game to compensate for dev costs, they should do so. Of course, there are plenty of examples of very expensive video games (to make) being very very successful. On top of that, the game has less content than 95% of AAA games released.

I've spent less on much much more. The Witcher 3, $37pre-order - BioShock Infinite, $35 pre-order - XCOM 2, $33 pre-order. No Micro-transactions of any of these.

That $60($40 on PC) gets you content updates for the life of the game, no paid DLC's. The hell is wrong with that?