Overwatch 2 Season 15 has breathed new life into the game, significantly improving player sentiment and marking a turning point from its previously disastrous reception on Steam. Nearly nine years after the original Overwatch's debut and two and a half years after Overwatch 2's launch, the game had plummeted to the lowest user-reviewed title on Steam in August 2023, largely due to controversial monetization practices and the forced transition from the original, paid version to a free-to-play sequel. Further controversies, including the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode, only deepened the negativity.
While still holding a "mostly negative" overall rating, recent reviews show a remarkable shift towards "mixed," with 43% of the 5,325 reviews submitted in the last 30 days being positive. This is a considerable achievement given the game's overwhelmingly negative history on Steam. Season 15's dramatic changes are the driving force behind this improvement. The update introduced significant gameplay alterations, including hero perks and the return of loot boxes, alongside the expected new content.
Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots
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Positive player feedback reflects this change. Comments like, "They just released Overwatch 2," referring to the improved state of the game post-update, and "Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics," highlight the positive impact of Season 15. Another review even mentions the pressure from the popular competitor, Marvel Rivals, suggesting that the competition spurred positive changes.
The success of Marvel Rivals, a similar hero shooter boasting 40 million downloads since its December launch, has undeniably impacted Blizzard's approach to Overwatch 2. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, describing the situation as "exciting" and Marvel Rivals' success as "really great," even praising its innovative take on established Overwatch concepts. He also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has forced Blizzard to adopt a more aggressive, less risk-averse strategy for Overwatch 2's development.
While it's premature to declare Overwatch's triumphant return, the improvement in Steam reviews and a near-doubling of peak concurrent players on the platform to 60,000 (though player numbers across all platforms remain undisclosed) are significant indicators of progress. This should be considered alongside Marvel Rivals' impressive 305,816 peak concurrent players on Steam. The future of Overwatch 2 remains uncertain, but Season 15 has undoubtedly provided a much-needed boost.
