OW2 Reviews Improve to 'Mixed' Post-Launch Debacle

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Revitalizes Player Sentiment, Marking a Significant Turnaround

Overwatch 2, which infamously held the title of Steam's worst-reviewed game in August 2023, is experiencing a resurgence thanks to Season 15. The overwhelmingly negative reception following its launch stemmed from controversies surrounding monetization and the cancellation of the anticipated PvE Hero mode.

However, recent Steam reviews reveal a shift towards "mixed" sentiment, with 43% of the 5,325 reviews submitted in the last 30 days being positive. This represents a considerable improvement for a game that has faced persistent criticism.

The positive shift is largely attributed to Season 15's significant gameplay overhaul. The introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes have resonated positively with players. This is reflected in player comments such as, "They just released Overwatch 2," and "Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics."

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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The game's renewed success is occurring against the backdrop of the highly popular Marvel Rivals, a competing hero shooter with over 40 million downloads. Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, stating that Blizzard is adopting a "no longer about playing it safe" approach.

While it's premature to declare Overwatch 2's complete comeback, the positive trend is undeniable. Steam player numbers have nearly doubled, reaching 60,000 peak concurrent players. This increase, however, pales in comparison to Marvel Rivals' 305,816 peak concurrent players on Steam. It's important to note that Overwatch 2's player base across all platforms (Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox) remains undisclosed. The future of Overwatch 2's reception remains uncertain, but Season 15 has undoubtedly injected renewed life into the game.