Overwatch is understood for its thrilling seasonal occasions. A few of the most iconic cosmetics, voicelines, and maps have come straight out of the various occasions Blizzard has added into the already colourful recreation. However Overwatch 2 appears to maintain falling brief.
Probably the most well-liked occasions for followers has all the time been the Lunar New Yr occasion, which runs from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 this yr and celebrates the Yr of the Rabbit. However this time, issues simply don’t fairly really feel the identical.
The fan-favorite occasion has fallen flat for a number of causes this yr. Listed below are 5 issues that would make the occasion higher.
1) Extra skins
Overwatch 2 has already obtained heavy criticism for its new monetization mannequin, which has shifted from a one-time fee to a battle go and paid cosmetics system like many different video games within the style. The issue is that Overwatch gamers have been used to a sure mannequin since 2016, and now every thing is a lot dearer.
Even when cosmetics inside Overwatch 2 are priced comparatively with cosmetics in different first-person shooters, there are nonetheless issues with the beauty monetization within the recreation. And whatever the points with the value of cosmetics, this yr’s Lunar New Yr occasion skins are extremely lackluster.
The principle pores and skin being marketed because the poster baby of this occasion is the Hu Tou Mao pores and skin for Mei. Although this pores and skin is a cute nod to the Yr of the Rabbit, including bunny ears to Mei’s hat and adorning her in crimson and gold colours, it doesn’t change a lot about her primary outfit apart from the ears. The pores and skin prices 1000 Overwatch Cash, which is about $10.
It’s a very typical Lunar New Yr occasion pores and skin that leaves lots to be desired, particularly as the principle promoting level for the very first Lunar New Yr occasion in Overwatch 2.
The opposite two featured skins, the Kkachi Echo pores and skin and Masked Dancer Moira pores and skin, are each previous Lunar New Yr skins being introduced again for the 2023 occasion. The latter is coming again as a Twitch drop, whereas the Echo pores and skin is a reward for finishing arcade challenges.
Although there are some skins gamers can get without spending a dime, most Overwatch gamers doubtless have already got them from earlier years, and the one solution to get the Mei pores and skin is to pay.
There are not any different new skins for the Yr of the Rabbit. Oh, and each different Asian hero has a Lunar New Yr pores and skin, however Ramattra, who’s from Southeast Asia, doesn’t? It doesn’t make a lot sense.
It could simply be good to see some extra new pores and skin designs for this occasion.
2) One other festive map makeover
Lijiang Tower’s Lunar New Yr model is a fan-favorite map. The tower turns into festively lit and appears to have a brand new heat to it. Overwatch followers all the time stay up for the Lunar New Yr model of the map to be rotated into the pool.
Whereas Lijiang Tower is again, decked out in festive decorations, there nonetheless isn’t one other map that has obtained a Lunar New Yr makeover.
This comes to a different situation, much like the oversight of a Ramattra pores and skin, that in some way Overwatch 2 appears to be forgetting that Lunar New Yr will not be solely celebrated in China. Whereas there are some Lunar New Yr cosmetics that decision on Korean or Japanese tradition of their designs, Blizzard appears to be lacking an enormous alternative.
We’ve a number of maps now situated in numerous components of Asia. Busan, Kanezaka, and Shambali Monastery, to call a number of. None of those maps have obtained the identical festive therapy that Lijiang has, and albeit it’s a disappointment to see.
The 2 different occasions within the recreation that include particular maps are the Winter and Halloween seasonal occasions. Each of those occasions have two festive map editions every, so why can’t we get one other for Lunar New Yr?
3) The Arcade challenges have to be extra thrilling
The brand new arcade mode challenges for Lunar New Yr are actually an improve to a number of the occasions within the unique Overwatch, the place the aims have been too easy. “Win 9 ranked video games to get a pores and skin” bought previous actually quick, and plenty of gamers might knock out the week-long challenges in a single play session.
Now, Blizzard has put extra effort into making these challenges a bit extra distinctive in Overwatch 2, which is an effective factor. However it nonetheless doesn’t really feel like sufficient, particularly with every thing else this occasion is lacking.
The Lunar New Yr challenges all revolve round arcade modes, and particular challenges throughout the totally different video games. This may get extra gamers, particularly new gamers, to discover the arcade extra, however nothing about any of those recreation modes is definitely new or distinctive.
In distinction, we bought an upgraded model of the basic PvE mission Junkenstein’s Revenge within the Halloween occasion final yr. And the Lunar New Yr occasion doesn’t even have its personal PvE occasion within the first place!
On the very least, can’t we add just a little bunny to the “flag” in CTF mode? Or add some kind of Lunar New Yr twist to the Bounty Hunter recreation mode? We’re not even asking for a completely new recreation mode right here, however simply one thing to make issues extra particular could be nice.
4) Season 2 is sort of over, can we have a good time?
Overwatch 2 is about to wrap up its second aggressive season. On the finish of season one, gamers have been scrambling for rank, excited for the potential of a model new hero, map, and different content material. However this time? Issues really feel… quiet.
The Lunar New Yr occasion would have been an important alternative to introduce or tease one thing thrilling for the sport’s third aggressive season. As an alternative, it barely looks like we’re about to be confronted with the potential of a significant rank reset once more. Possibly everyone seems to be so petrified of their ranks resetting that they’re too scared to speak about it?
Fortunately, builders have confirmed some indicators that they’re listening to the neighborhood and will be making some important changes for season 3.
5) Can we get a Southeast Asian hero that isn’t a robotic?
Overwatch 2 desperately wants a human Southeast Asian hero. There are different large holes in illustration within the recreation, regardless of it total having a stable and numerous roster. One in all these holes is the shortage of human Southeast Asian heroes.
In 2022, Riot Video games launched Filipino characters into each VALORANT and League of Legends, and so they have been met with unbelievable reception from the neighborhood.
Ramattra, Echo, and Zenyatta are all from Southeast Asia, however having a area with solely Omnic and never human illustration nonetheless falls brief. It could be fantastic to see one other human hero from Southeast Asia be part of Overwatch 2.
The Lunar New Yr occasion and the tip of the aggressive season would have been the right alternative to lastly announce a Southeast Asian hero. However followers will nonetheless must patiently anticipate now.