Overwatch 2 Season 15: A Resurgence?

Overwatch 2, once holding the dubious title of Steam's worst-reviewed game, is experiencing a surprising resurgence thanks to Season 15. Nearly nine years after the original Overwatch's debut and two and a half years after Overwatch 2's launch, the game's user reviews on Steam have shifted from "mostly negative" to "mixed," a significant improvement. This turnaround is largely attributed to the substantial changes introduced in Season 15.

The game's initial rocky reception stemmed from controversies surrounding its monetization strategy and the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode. However, Season 15's dramatic gameplay overhaul, including the introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes, has resonated positively with players. Recent Steam reviews reflect this shift, with 43% of the 5,325 reviews posted in the last 30 days being positive.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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Player feedback underscores this positive shift. Comments like, "They just released Overwatch 2," and "Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1," highlight the impact of the changes. The renewed focus on core gameplay seems to have addressed many long-standing criticisms.

The rise of the competing title, Marvel Rivals (boasting 40 million downloads since December), has also influenced Blizzard's approach. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, stating that Blizzard is no longer "playing it safe." While Marvel Rivals currently enjoys significantly higher concurrent player numbers on Steam (305,816 compared to Overwatch 2's near 60,000), the recent increase in Overwatch 2's player base on Steam suggests a potential turning point. It's important to note that these figures only represent Steam player counts; the game's overall player base across all platforms remains undisclosed.

Whether this positive trend will sustain remains to be seen. While Season 15 has undeniably revitalized interest, the game's long history of negative reviews presents a significant hurdle to overcome. Nevertheless, the current shift indicates a potential path towards recovery for Overwatch 2.