The Borderlands trilogy features three of the most engaging co-op first-person shooters, augmented by an amazing-looking cel-shaded style that makes for a visual treat in every way. The third Clash game Mode might not be as great as many people expected it to be, but most people who love the elements of the Borderlands series will find this title to be perfect for t
Though this mechanical maestro may not be making waves in the competitive meta, he’s often a wonderful pick for PvE. If you played Overwatch’s Uprising event, you’ll know how useful he can be – his mix of armor and damage-dealing allow for adaptive play, and besides, with some keen placement, his turret is practically a second teamm
In Overwatch 2, he’s taken a small debuff to his gun’s damage and his ultimate’s range, but Soldier 76’s rifle, rockets, running, and regeneration still mean he can take down both bosses and bands of baddies alike– Just don’t forget to aim for the h
If long range and high accuracy are your things, you might prefer the Deadlock Gang gunslinger, Ashe (and her right-hand man, Bob). Unlike the more niche Widowmaker, Ashe can step out of the shadows and onto the battlefield when necessary, where her dynamite and bestie Bob do a good job of keeping enemies at
Overwatch’s corporate identity was clear to see through its diverse cast and clear attempts at inclusion, made worse by queer characters who were never given any strong narrative within the world itself. On the surface it was a bold statement, but dig any deeper, and you were left wanting so much more as Blizzard chased demographic approval. Its universe had so much potential for excellent stories and worthwhile sociopolitical commentary, but this clear ambition was brushed aside as the years went on in favour of recycled seasonal events and development of a sequel that is only now lumbering towards the finish line. I once looked up to Overwatch, but now I can’t help but view its failings and cynical business practices for what they really are. I still love so much about it, and the warm memories it brings to the forefront of my mind are clear proof that Blizzard struck gold with this one.
Overwatch 2 was announced much too early, likely to pave over controversy at the time surrounding the company and its many scandals. We were given an awkward glimpse at PvE content that wasn’t ready for the spotlight in the slightest, while progression systems linked to certain characters have been dumped entirely in the version coming next month. Blizzard didn’t know what it wanted the sequel to be, and it still doesn’t, so we are stepping hesitantly into a future where I desperately hope this hero shooter can earn its place. The original game is being shut down as it arrives, with its younger sibling intended to replace everything it stood for as heroes, cosmetics, and everything else is carried across as part of a hopefully seamless transition. I’ll miss what is being left behind, and so will many others.
Yet, rather than have one team focus on defending an area while another attacks, this mode will present an equal, pendulum-swinging playing field, centered around a large robot that can be moved by teams controlling the zone near it. Each team will also be given a barricade, which the bot will push towards the opponent’s s
With its complete mechanical overhaul done for Overwatch 2, Bastion the point-controlling turret is no more. Instead, this bionic buddy-of-birds is now an all-terrain vehicle, with its stationary turret having been traded for a new Assault mode which transforms Bastion into a roaming, mini gun-firing t
Still, while details are still sketchy at best – with even a release date yet to be announced – there have already been at least a handful of neat reveals about Overwatch 2 which have us giddy. Yet, there are still many unaddressed elements and things we’d very much like to see in the game, which have yet to be touched
Overwatch defined my first steps into adulthood. I was in my first year of university when it came out, and remember watching my flatmates jump into the beta as they hyped it up as the next big thing. I’d never played a Blizzard game before, and at the time it was an untouchable bastion of goodwill defined by countless classics. Not so much these days . This was its first new IP in decades, and it had all the ingredients to be a masterpiece.
It was the biggest shooter in the world for a long time. Blizzard eagerly celebrated new player milestones on social media, while seasonal events became an all-encompassing occasion in the shooter space before the days of battle passes and live service updates. It was both ahead of its time and constrained by the formula it existed within, as additional game modes introduced as part of big updates and quarterly events never lived up to the base experience it was built upon. Junkenstein’s Revenge, Overwatch Archives, and Winter Wonderland were great fun, but fighting against bullet sponge AI wasn’t what this game was about, and hoping to expand on this universe only served to highlight its shortcomings.