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Better Late Than Never Review: Overwatch



I...am not a computer gamer. Though the first video games I can remember playing were on my dad's Windows 95, it didn't take long for for me to get confused by different system requirements and jump over to the console world.

I say this because this weeks game is of a type that has historically only had a home on PC. Overwatch is an exciting blend of shooter and MOBA and I really like it.

The game is an online multiplayer only experience consisting of roughly 20 minute 6v6 matches in one of a few kinds of game modes. Overwatch games are primarily objective based, and though kills are tracked for personal points, victory comes down to objectives.  This means that players really need to work as a team in order to succeed in Overwatch.

To do this players take control of one of several different heroes. These characters are all vastly different from each other and each has a number of special abilities in the MOBA/MMO style complete with cool downs.  Your skill with your chosen hero makes a big difference on the outcome of the game but functionally having the right combination can make or break a team.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the game is that gameplay wise, everything is available to you from the start of the game. There are no better weapons or special perks to unlock as you play and this has the effect of leveling the playing field and at least making it seem like the game is more based on skill than on having a better gun. There are unlocks in the game via an in-game loot box system but these unlock only cosmetic items.

Now the goal of this blog is to judge this game separate from the hype.  Thing is, even a year after the release there's still plenty of hype around this title. One of the reasons for this is regular content and events. Over the year this game has been released several new characters, items, maps, and game modes have been added to the game, and there doesn't seem to be any stop. The other important part is events. Many holidays are celebrated in the game in a manner not unlike an MMO. The events all come with their own unlocks and game modes available only during the event.

Another thing that keeps the game hype going is a built in competitive system. A stable of several titles on  PC, the regular competitive seasons bring something new to a platform dominated by death matches in Military shooters.  The idea of a competitor mode that has its own rewards is tempting for many and has played a big part in the popularity of the game.  In fact it's so popular an actual league is being formed for competitive Overwatch.

The bad?  Well it's online only, meaning your experience relies a bit on others.  Also the focus platform is clearly PC, meaning that platform is the first for updates and fixes. These are minor problems and really I had trouble picking out problems with this title.

The good:
-A large number of Heroes each with their own play style.
-unlocks are cosmetic only

The bad:
-Emphasis on PC platform often leaves consoles out.
-Online multiplayer only, even with bots a connection is required.

Overwatch is a unique take on a few already successful ideas. The combination works and combined with a great amount of polish and regular updates make for an outstanding game.

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