Key Takeaways
1. Overwatch 2 has seen improved player reviews and increased numbers following the Season 15 update released on February 18th.
2. The return of loot boxes allows players to earn cosmetics without spending real money, with up to three boxes available weekly.
3. New gameplay perks have been introduced to keep the game engaging and change tactical plans during matches.
4. Player ratings on Steam have risen from 17% to 23% since the Season 15 patch, reflecting a positive reception.
5. Despite challenges from Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2 remains a strong franchise, attracting players back after major updates.
More than many other games, Overwatch 2 has been affected by the Marvel Rivals situation. As some players have been missing certain features that were highly requested, a few have turned their attention to the alternative from NetEase Games. Nevertheless, the update for Season 15 in Overwatch 2 has, at least for the moment, led to better reviews on Steam and an increase in player numbers.
Important Updates in Overwatch 2
The recent patch for Overwatch 2, released on February 18th, brought notable changes. One of the most significant alterations from the original Overwatch is the absence of loot boxes. While the developers saw this as a positive change, players found it hard to earn cosmetics without spending real money. Now, loot boxes have returned to Overwatch 2, allowing committed players to earn up to three boxes weekly, and wins can help speed up this accumulation.
New Gameplay Features
Inevitably, without new gameplay elements, shooters can become monotonous. In response to the Marvel Rivals concern, Blizzard introduced new perks in the Overwatch 2 update on February 18th. As players engage in matches, they can unlock both minor and major hero perks that might change tactical plans throughout the game.
Player Reactions and Trends
Players should be cautious about jumping to conclusions based on limited data. Still, since the Season 15 patch, Overwatch 2 has seen a rise in favorable Steam reviews. Currently, the game has a rather unimpressive rating of about 23%, though this is a rise from the 17% it had in Spring 2024. Typically, games experience a boost in player activity following major updates. Moreover, player counts on SteamDB for Overwatch 2 have also increased for the first time since the Marvel Rivals launched in December.
In its own right, Marvel Rivals has faced controversies after NetEase let go of certain American developers. While the game still holds a dominant position with significantly higher user counts on Steam, it has been experiencing a slow decline since its peak in January. Although these patterns might not persist, Overwatch is a well-established franchise, poised to welcome back players who may have drifted away.
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