Overwatch 2's Season 15 revitalizes the game, significantly improving player sentiment and marking a turning point from its historically low Steam user review rating. Initially, the game hit rock bottom in August 2023, becoming the worst-reviewed game on Steam due to controversial monetization practices and the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode.
Despite retaining a "mostly negative" overall rating, recent reviews reveal a shift towards "mixed," with 43% of the 5,325 reviews from the past month being positive. This is a substantial improvement for a game that faced immense negativity since its release on Steam.
Season 15's impactful changes are the driving force behind this positive shift. The update introduced significant gameplay alterations, including hero perks and the return of loot boxes, addressing core criticisms.
Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots
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Positive player feedback highlights the game's return to its roots, contrasting the previous corporate-driven decisions. The success of the similar competitive title, Marvel Rivals (40 million downloads since December), has undeniably impacted Blizzard's approach to Overwatch 2.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, describing the situation as "exciting" and praising Marvel Rivals for its innovative take on established mechanics. He also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success spurred a change in Blizzard's strategy, emphasizing a move away from "playing it safe."
While it's premature to declare Overwatch's complete comeback, the positive trend is undeniable. Season 15 has boosted Steam player numbers, nearly doubling peak concurrent players to 60,000. It's important to note that these figures only represent the Steam player base; total player counts across all platforms (Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox) remain undisclosed. For comparison, Marvel Rivals boasts 305,816 peak concurrent players on Steam. The future of Overwatch 2's reception remains uncertain, but Season 15's impact is clear.
