Featured Image Credit: Activision Blizzard
Topics: Overwatch, Activision Blizzard
The Overwatch 2 technical beta kicked off last month, and eager fans have already started tearing through the game to see how much in the long-awaited sequel is actually new.
Predictably, it wasn't long until some players started making and sharing side-by-side comparisons in an attempt to see how different Overwatch 2 looks compared to the original 2016 game. According to one unflattering video that's blown up on social media, not very different at all.
Take a look at Overwatch 2 gameplay in action below!
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An Overwatch 2 lighting comparison posted by @OverwatchNaeri paints a picture of a sequel that hasn't actually changed that much at all. The maps from the original game look almost identical, with the "new lighting" essentially making every map look like it's taking place at sunset.
While we should stress that this footage is from a technical beta and far from final, it's done little to calm the nerves of fans who were already feeling Overwatch 2 isn't doing enough to separate itself from its predecessor.
"70 dollars for an Instagram filter may be a new low for gaming," writes on critic.
"This is what they spent damn near 3 years working on?" adds another.
Over on the official Blizzard forums users are arguing whether or not the sequel is essentially a "glorified update". While some fans point out there have been some changes to gameplay (namely the physics and overall flow of matches), the general consensus so far seems to be that Overwatch 2 simply isn't the full-blooded sequel to the juggernaut 2016 game fans have waited so long for. One of the GAMINGbible team has played plenty of the beta, and doesn't particularly feel much has changed from a gameplay standpoint. But is that a bad thing?
Blizzard does have a tricky tightrope to walk, to be fair. Overwatch is such a popular and beloved game because it already looks great, and feels and plays brilliantly! The developer obvious shouldn't be making changes for the sake of changing things, but it also doesn't want to leave fans feeling shortchange.
Again, all of the reactions have so far been based on beta footage, and there's plenty that could change between now and release. Let's hope that when Overwatch 2 finally does launch, it delivers what fans are after.