Overwatch 2is a game built entirely around its colorful characters. The heroes that make up the Tank, Support, and Damage roles boast dozens of abilities that range from hooks and axe swings to energy blasts and teleportation. Withheroes like Lifeweaveradding even more unique maneuvers to the mix, the game continues to become a more varied and interesting hero shooter as time goes on. However, this is not the only genre that would work for the series.
While it was treated as a comedic experience, theLoverwatch dating simhad a lot of charm, with Blizzard recognizing how much the fan base adores characters like Genji and Mercy and turning that into an event. With plenty of fans enjoying this unusual experiment, perhaps Blizzard will test out more video game genres for its lovable hero roster. If it does, the best option of all might just be a fighting game.
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An Overwatch 2 Fighting Game Simply Makes Sense
When looking at howOverwatch 2’s gameplayworks already, a fighting game feels like a natural direction to go in. Each hero has multiple abilities that make them unique, which can easily translate into fighting game moves. For instance, Doomfist feels like a fighting game character already, with Seismic Slam and Rocket Punch being easy to imagine in a fighting game scenario. Brigitte’s mace swings, whip shot, and shield bash also come to mind, as do D.Va’s mech and its many abilities.
AnOverwatch 2fighting game can also have one strength of the hero shooter, and that’s how the characters’ abilities work with each other. Just like some fighters have an advantage in certain match-ups ofInjustice 2orMortal Kombat, certain characters could be good picks for anOverwatch 2fighting game matchup. For example, Genji’s deflect could make him an effective fighter to used against a ranged character like Cassidy, recreating the strength of the ability fromOverwatch 2. Similarly, Orisa hitting a charging Reinhardt with her javelin throw as he pins across the screen could be another fun combo.
AnOverwatch 2fighting game would have many awesome arenas to pick from, as Blizzard could repurpose locations from the series’ beloved multiplayer maps. Players could do battle around Ilios’ ruins, fight each other within Watchpoint Gibraltar’s attacking spawn, or clash in a Nepal temple. Classic2CP mapscould get a second chance in a fighting game as well, with players fighting near Temple of Anubis’ statue or in the same Hanamura building where Hanzo and Genji battled during the “Dragons” animated short.
Speaking of “Dragons,” it is those kinds of scenarios that a fighting game could capture in a story mode. WhileOverwatch 2getting a PvE modeis great, as it will open new storytelling opportunities, it will likely not allow for any singleplayer experiences or one-on-one fights. This is a shame, as the battles featured in Widowmaker’s “Alive” and Cassidy’s “Reunion” are incredible to watch. A more focused fight between two characters would be a lot of fun to play, and gamers can make dream battles happen like Ramattra versus Junker Queen or Winston versus Reinhardt.
With anOverwatch 2fighting game spin-off able to incorporate cosmetics like skins, highlight intros, and emotes, it too could work as a live service title. TheOverwatchuniverse having so many incredible characters, so Blizzard should start investing in spin-offs that span a wide variety of genres. A top-down strategy game where players battle waves of Omnics is an option, as is a third-person, story-driven adventure game that dives intoTracer’s story. However, a 3D fighting game feels like the most natural direction to go in, as it would have a deep roster of characters with hugely different move sets.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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