After Becoming the Worst User-Reviewed Game Ever on Steam, Overwatch 2’s Recent Reviews Jump to ‘Mixed’

Overwatch 2 Season 15 has been well-received, significantly boosting the sentiment around a game that was once dubbed the worst ever user-reviewed on Steam. Launched nearly nine years after the original Overwatch in 2016 and two-and-a-half years following Overwatch 2's debut, the game faced severe backlash in August 2023 due to its monetization practices. Blizzard's decision to update the premium original into a free-to-play sequel, making the original unplayable in 2022, was heavily criticized. Additionally, the cancellation of the much-anticipated PvE Hero mode, which many believed justified the sequel, added to the game's woes.

Despite still holding a 'mostly negative' overall user review rating on Steam, recent reviews have shifted to 'mixed,' with 43% of the 5,325 reviews in the last 30 days being positive. This upturn is largely attributed to Season 15, which introduced significant changes including hero perks and the return of loot boxes. These updates have been seen as a return to the core elements that made the original Overwatch successful, alongside new engaging mechanics.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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Positive reviews highlight the game's return to its roots and the introduction of new features. One user noted, "The recent update is what the game should always have been before corporate greed got in the way." Another praised the developers, saying, "For once, I must come to Overwatch's defense and say they really have stepped up their game. Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics to the game. A certain game made them LOCK IN and I couldn't be happier. Now we just gotta wait for next season with an actual cooler battlepass."

This sentiment is partly influenced by the success of Marvel Rivals, a similar competitive multiplayer hero shooter from NetEase, which has garnered 40 million downloads since its December launch. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the new competitive landscape, describing it as "exciting" and appreciating how Marvel Rivals has taken Overwatch's established ideas in a "different direction." Keller admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has prompted Blizzard to adopt a less cautious approach with Overwatch 2, stating, "this is no longer about playing it safe."

While it's premature to claim Overwatch 2's full recovery, the fluctuating Steam user reviews suggest that achieving a rating better than 'mixed' will be challenging. However, Season 15 has led to a notable increase in player numbers on Steam, with peak concurrent players nearly doubling to 60,000. It's important to note that Overwatch 2 is also available on Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox, where player numbers are not publicly disclosed. In comparison, Marvel Rivals recently achieved a peak of 305,816 concurrent players on Steam over the last 24 hours.