Overwatch 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Blizzard’s hit hero shooter, just made an unprecedented move by making its Steam debut. This was a big change from the norm, since Blizzard games have always only been available on their own PC platform, Battle.net.
This change has made it possible for more franchises to come to Steam in the future, but the community hasn’t exactly been thrilled about it.
The Overwatch 2 Steam Release Overloaded With Negative User Feedback
When Season 6: Invasion came out recently, Blizzard wanted to make history by introducing Overwatch 2 to the huge number of Steam users. But this move has caused more than its fair share of trouble.
Within hours of its release on Steam on August 10, Overwatch 2 was labelled “Mostly Negative” because so many users had bad things to say about it.
Overwatch 2 is now available on Steam!https://t.co/DB5U0Vr5EA pic.twitter.com/0HNWdGpHfa
— Steam (@Steam) August 10, 2023
At the moment, the game has a “Mostly Negative” rating, which means that a shocking 72% of user reviews are negative. But before we jump to conclusions, it’s important not to put too much stock in these early reviews. Review bombing has become a disturbing trend in recent years. This year alone, games like Final Fantasy XVI and Diablo 4 have been attacked in this way.
When you look more closely at the huge number of bad reviews, you can see that they are a mix of real concerns and thoughtless bashing. Some reviewers don’t say much that’s helpful, like “Overwatch 1 > Overwatch 2” or “terrible.” On the day the game came out, there were even links to Team Fortress 2’s Steam page in the review section.
Still, some of the criticism comes from the game’s shift towards player-versus-environment (PVE) content, especially the fact that heroes don’t get better in any meaningful way. The fact that the first set of Story Missions costs $15 is adding fuel to the fire. Users are upset about what they call “predatory behaviour.”
History shows that review bombs like these can sometimes even out as more people play the game and form their own opinions. But there’s also the scary chance that the negative feedback will keep coming in, which would make the “Mostly Negative” label stick around for a while.
As we keep a close eye on how things change, it’s important to remember that Blizzard’s big move to Valve’s storefront is a first for the company. Overwatch 2 on Steam might get a rough start, but only time will tell how it will do in the long run. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan, a sceptic, or somewhere in between, the Overwatch community is holding its breath as this new chapter on the popular gaming platform plays out.
