Overwatch is thought for its thrilling seasonal occasions. A few of the most iconic cosmetics, voicelines, and maps have come straight out of the numerous occasions Blizzard has added into the already colourful sport. However Overwatch 2 appears to maintain falling brief.
Probably the most well-liked occasions for followers has all the time been the Lunar New 12 months occasion, which runs from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 this yr and celebrates the 12 months 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 here are 5 issues that might 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 cost to a battle move 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 part 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 sport. And whatever the points with the value of cosmetics, this yr’s Lunar New 12 months occasion skins are extremely lackluster.
Picture by way of Blizzard Leisure
The principle pores and skin being marketed because the poster little one of this occasion is the Hu Tou Mao pores and skin for Mei. Although this pores and skin is a cute nod to the 12 months of the Rabbit, including bunny ears to Mei’s hat and adorning her in purple and gold colours, it doesn’t change a lot about her fundamental outfit in addition to the ears. The pores and skin prices 1000 Overwatch Cash, which is about $10.
It’s a very typical Lunar New 12 months occasion pores and skin that leaves quite a bit to be desired, particularly as the primary promoting level for the very first Lunar New 12 months 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 12 months 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.
Regardless that there are some skins gamers can get at no cost, most Overwatch gamers possible have already got them from earlier years, and the one option to get the Mei pores and skin is to pay.
There aren’t any different new skins for the 12 months of the Rabbit. Oh, and each different Asian hero has a Lunar New 12 months pores and skin, however Ramattra, who’s from Southeast Asia, doesn’t? It doesn’t make a lot sense.
It might 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 12 months 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 sit up for the Lunar New 12 months 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 12 months makeover.
This comes to a different challenge, much like the oversight of a Ramattra pores and skin, that one way or the other Overwatch 2 appears to be forgetting that Lunar New 12 months just isn’t solely celebrated in China. Whereas there are some Lunar New 12 months cosmetics that decision on Korean or Japanese tradition of their designs, Blizzard appears to be lacking an enormous alternative.
We have now a number of maps now positioned in several components of Asia. Busan, Kanezaka, and Shambali Monastery, to call a couple of. None of those maps have obtained the identical festive remedy that Lijiang has, and admittedly it’s a disappointment to see.
The 2 different occasions within the sport 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 12 months?
3) The Arcade challenges must be extra thrilling
The brand new arcade mode challenges for Lunar New 12 months are definitely an improve to among the occasions within the unique Overwatch, the place the targets had been too easy. “Win 9 ranked video games to get a pores and skin” obtained previous actually quick, and lots 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. But it surely nonetheless doesn’t really feel like sufficient, particularly with every part else this occasion is lacking.
Screengrab by way of Blizzard Leisure
The Lunar New 12 months challenges all revolve round arcade modes, and particular challenges inside the totally different video games. This may get extra gamers, particularly new gamers, to discover the arcade extra, however nothing about any of those sport modes is definitely new or distinctive.
In distinction, we obtained an upgraded model of the basic PvE mission Junkenstein’s Revenge within the Halloween occasion final yr. And the Lunar New 12 months occasion doesn’t even have its personal PvE occasion within the first place!
On the very least, can’t we add a bit bunny to the “flag” in CTF mode? Or add some kind of Lunar New 12 months twist to the Bounty Hunter sport mode? We’re not even asking for a wholly new sport mode right here, however simply one thing to make issues extra particular can be nice.
4) Season 2 is sort of over, can we have fun?
Overwatch 2 is about to wrap up its second aggressive season. On the finish of season one, gamers had 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 12 months occasion would have been an incredible alternative to introduce or tease one thing thrilling for the sport’s third aggressive season. As a substitute, it barely seems like we’re about to be confronted with the potential for a serious rank reset once more. Perhaps everyone seems to be so fearful 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 group and shall be making some necessary adjustments 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 sport, regardless of it total having a strong and various roster. One among these holes is the dearth of human Southeast Asian heroes.
In 2022, Riot Video games launched Filipino characters into each VALORANT and League of Legends, and so they had been met with improbable reception from the group.
Ramattra, Echo, and Zenyatta are all from Southeast Asia, however having a area with solely Omnic and never human illustration nonetheless falls brief. It might be great to see one other human hero from Southeast Asia be a part of Overwatch 2.
The Lunar New 12 months occasion and the top of the aggressive season would have been the right alternative to lastly announce a Southeast Asian hero. However followers will nonetheless should patiently look forward to now.