Blizzard's Overwatch: Fun Returns After Years of Struggle

After years of struggle, Blizzard Entertainment has navigated into uncharted territory: Overwatch players are having fun again. The Overwatch team is no stranger to challenges. Its massive launch in 2016 was eventually overshadowed by contentious balance decisions, a disastrous launch for Overwatch 2, a sea of negative reviews, and the cancellation of PvE content. As controversies piled up, fans questioned whether Blizzard could ever regain its footing or if the glory days of Overwatch were lost to 2018. Following a series of fundamental changes, the community now believes that Overwatch 2 is poised for its most robust content lineup in years, and possibly the best state it's ever been in.

To All Agents of Overwatch

On February 12, 2025, game director Aaron Keller rallied the Overwatch team to unveil an Overwatch 2 Spotlight presentation, promising a glimpse into "what the future holds." With years of challenging decisions behind them, fans oscillated between fear and cautious optimism, with little room for excitement as it became clear this was a make-or-break moment for Blizzard. The 34-minute presentation detailed a content release schedule, addressed long-standing player requests, and, crucially, maintained transparency.

Unlike the unfulfilled, lofty promises of the past, Overwatch 2's 2025 roadmap seemed achievable. New heroes, Freja and Aqua, were introduced, along with Stadium, a groundbreaking third-person Competitive mode designed to refresh the standard match experience. Loot boxes, a controversial monetization tactic left behind when the original Overwatch was shuttered in 2022, were back with enhancements that made them more rewarding without requiring real-world currency. Perks provided all 43 characters with four unique, game-changing abilities, and Blizzard detailed their plan to reinstate 6v6 gameplay. This comprehensive list of tangible additions and new content was the most substantial since the launch of Overwatch 2, and much of it was slated for release within just a few months.

Not gonna lie I had a lot of fun playing 6v6 perk watch today

It makes me really happy to say Overwatch actually has found the light on this path

Post bans, 6v6 open queue perkwatch is the best state the game has been in since 2020

Looks like hero shooters will stay winning!

— Samito (@SamitoFPS) April 5, 2025

As of April, the introduction of loot boxes, Freja, Stadium, and classic balance modes has marked a new chapter for Overwatch. It's a refreshing departure from repetitive seasonal content and has exceeded expectations for those who feared the hero shooter would never regain its positive standing. There's debate about what triggered such a radical change in strategy, but there's no denying that Overwatch 2 is now supported by a team committed to its success. This is a transformed Blizzard.

"They pulled themselves out the gutter with this one," Reddit user Right_Entertainer324 remarked on the Overwatch 2 Spotlight. "Super excited for the future of Overwatch 2, for the first time in... Well, ever."

Experience Tranquility

Despite the rollercoaster ride, it's been about seven years since Overwatch was the powerhouse fans adored. Even with the flood of fulfilled promises in Season 15 and the current Season 16, the average fan remains wary, fearing that the other shoe could drop at any moment. Yet, Blizzard continues to push forward with confidence.

"...the decisions of Aaron and the team have led the game to a healthy state of growth and competition. I think that deserves praise," said a popular post from Reddit user ImperialViking_. "When PvE was cancelled, we all thought it was the end. Now, come Season 15, Overwatch has turned the corner and the future looks super bright."

They continued: "All in all, I think it goes without saying that the devs have really been hitting it out of the park recently. People calling them 'lazy' is just plain wrong. There are, of course, still issues with (Overwatch), and there always will be, but the decisions of Aaron and the team have led the game to a healthy state of growth and competition. I think that deserves praise."

The sentiment has shifted across platforms like Reddit, Discord, and X/Twitter. Posts celebrating Stadium and comments from players thrilled with the introduction of Competitive hero bans in Season 16 are commonplace. This long-awaited feature finally made its debut last week, allowing players the option to avoid playing against heroes like Sombra.

Devs absolutely cooking this season

byu/Dswim inOverwatch

Blizzard's journey to rebuild trust is just beginning. While Overwatch fans won't forget the past, the change in attitude is unmistakable.

Content creator Niandra, who analyzed the state of Overwatch 2 in their "Let's Talk About the State of Overwatch 2" video last summer, remains cautiously optimistic but feels "pretty good" about the current direction. They believe that key additions are starting to win back the community.

"I think a particularly critical playerbase is to be somewhat expected with games that try to be your forever game and a part of your daily routine," they explain, "but I think the (Overwatch) community is getting happier! It feels like the momentum of perks into Stadium and Freja has brought a lot of goodwill. Morale in the community felt really low during the release of Marvel Rivals and its following month, especially since Overwatch didn't immediately respond with sweeping changes. Upon reflection, that was probably the correct move as Marvel Rivals is now having its own issues while Overwatch has released big changes. I wouldn't be surprised if ex Overwatch players have curiously checked out the game again recently."

Stadium has become a pivotal part of Overwatch 2, bringing fresh gameplay to the nine-year-old hero shooter. Its innovative approach has sparked constructive discussions about potential improvements. While it will take time for the community to fully appreciate its value, players are currently enjoying the experience.

they genuinely COOKED with stadium

byu/Silent-Account-3081 inOverwatch

One notable criticism has been the lack of a Quickplay option for Stadium, resulting in no crossplay support. This has prevented cross-platform groups from experimenting with different character builds and synergies. However, most assumed that a mode still in its early stages would evolve in future seasons. The surprise came when Blizzard addressed these concerns just days after they were raised.

"God it is so nice seeing this," one Reddit user commented after Blizzard promised to tackle highly requested features like crossplay. "Literal IMMEDIATE update on feedback they've been given. Making no promises but being transparent about what the feedback is and how they intend to handle it. I really do love this direction of community communication they've been on for the last year or so."

Does This Mean Overwatch Is Back?

Overwatch has been a black sheep in gaming for a while. Once a beloved multiplayer staple, it fell from grace and struggled to recover. The renewed faith and interest in its potential isn't evidence that all issues are resolved or that Overwatch 2 is now perfect, but it is a sign that it can regain its footing.

While the momentum is strong, many believe Blizzard has one ace up its sleeve to fully re-engage the community: traditional story cinematics. These narrative tie-ins, which garnered millions of views upon release, were largely abandoned as Blizzard focused on the game itself. Yet, considering their role in connecting players with the characters, these videos remain one of the most, if not the most, desired elements fans hope to see return.

AnswerSee Results

"It feels like Overwatch has spent the last few years focusing on just the game itself, which has been wonderful, don't get me wrong, but does mean the reach outside of it feels limited," Niandra added. "Overwatch feels much like one very well-made PvP game, as opposed to the big multimedia franchise it has the potential to be, which is a shame considering all the praise its world-building and lore has gotten over the years."

Following Blizzard's February event, Overwatch has shifted from being the most negatively reviewed game on Steam to having "Mixed" reactions from players. As the team continues to introduce additions like Stadium and the much-anticipated return to 6v6, their long-term consistency will be crucial in determining whether Blizzard can reclaim lost ground. Recent months suggest that it's entirely possible.

"I think we've entered a new golden age of Overwatch," said hero-shooter content creator and longtime Overwatch player Flats during a recent livestream. "Overwatch is potentially in the best state it's ever been, and it's not even close. Better than the launch of Overwatch 2. Better than when the PvE missions 'came out.' Dare I say, better than Overwatch 1. The only time, maybe not, is 2016 hype when it first started – arguably."

Overwatch 2 Season 16, launched last week, marks the next phase of Blizzard's grand plan. It introduced the new Damage hero, Freja, with this week's highlight being a mech-fueled Gundam collaboration. Future seasons are set to feature a Dva Mythic skin, a Reaper Mythic Weapon skin, additional Stadium characters, and more. Only time will tell if these efforts will restore Overwatch to its former glory.