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There’s no sugarcoating it:Overwatch 2is in a precarious spot right now.
Marvel Rivals has exploded onto the scene and has clearly taken some of Blizzards lunch.
For the first time since 2016, Overwatch has a real fight on its hands.
But even before Marvel Rivals proved it was here to stay, Overwatch has been struggling.
Since latest hero Hazard joined the roster, the well had run dry on what to expect from Overwatch.
At a time where Marvel Rivals is running riot, that lack of visibility of the road aheadhurts.
Thats why the Overwatch Spotlight is an integral moment for the franchise.
As someone with over 2500 hours in Overwatch, Im inclined to agree.
With perks, players will be able to work toward augmenting their hero in the middle of a match.
Sombra, for example, can use major perks to implement support aspects into her kit.
Its not necessarily a reality where one ability is better than another.
It provides a reactivity to heroes that they simply didnt have before.
Historically, Blizzard essentiallynevermesses with the core game, so this is a bold departure in philosophy.
Theres going to be a lot for players to learn on day one.
Overwatch in its history has never introduced a mode like this something designed to sit alongside the core game.
Make no mistake, this isnt a limited time event thats fun for a round or two.
This is a serious alternative to how Overwatch is played.
Stadium is a glorious mix of influences, all underpinned by the Overwatch characters and world.
This is a best of seven 5v5 game mode, where youll play shortened versions of recognizable modes.
Perks are one thing, but this is a whole other level.
You also, at certain round thresholds, get access to new powers that arereallyout there.
Stadium has so much build potential, and at first it’s a little overwhelming to look at.
This wasnt made to be disposable.
This is a serious new avenue Blizzard is exploring in terms of what it means to play Overwatch.
Theres a lot more in the Spotlight that isnt covered here, but are well worth mentioning.
I played Hero 43, a high skill ceiling ranged bounty hunter thats spooky in the right hands.
The point is, theres alothere.
This is the big, explosive showing Overwatch 2 needed.
Having played with perks and Stadium, something feels different about Blizzard and where its ambitions lie.
The studio is taking risks big creative swings and being less precious with the way things have always been.
From what Ive played, it feels like Blizzard might just pull it off too.
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