Some gamers have been speaking out about their impressions of Overwatch 2, claiming that it is less satisfying than the previous game in both minor and significant respects. Beyond the monthly challenges, the actual gameplay experience, and notably the post-match review, all suffer from a distinct lack of value in Overwatch 2.
There’s a post on the Overwatch subreddit that lists ways Overwatch 2 can feel less enjoyable and rewarding than the original game. Many other players have also flocked to the center to voice their displeasure with the sequel, claiming that the removal of minor features is what ultimately brings it down.
The first criticism leveled in the post is the lack of a visible “On-Fire Meter” to indicate a player’s level of performance during a match. Characters will still say “On Fire” when they are, as others have noted, but there is no accompanying visual impact. Players reacted negatively to Overwatch 2 because, as the original poster and several commenters point out, this kills off the game’s momentum and in-game incentive.
The post-match screen no longer features an On-Fire Meter and appears to have removed medals and cards that indicated match excellence and allowed players to boost their allies and opponents. Fans note this because, in the original Overwatch, these post-match exchanges had significantly contributed to creating a less toxic and more accepting online scene. There’s also the fact that several of Overwatch’s most beloved arenas weren’t included in the sequel because of changes to team composition and size.
Without a doubt, Blizzard and series fans have had a rough time jumping from Overwatch to its sequel, Overwatch 2, with the launch being beset by server troubles and nefarious actors hitting Overwatch 2 with DDOS attacks.
However, Overwatch’s success resulted from years of careful attention to detail in the original game’s concept, so it seems odd that the sequel has ignored many of these improvements.
