Play Overwatch 2 From Today: Here’s What You Need to Know 

Overwatch has been a PC gaming staple since its release in 2016. This team-based hero shooter from Blizzard is colourful, chaotic, and multiplayer fun. Now, it’s got a shiny new sequel, Overwatch 2. Pairing much-loved features with improvements, this first-person shooter is set to bring plenty of new experiences to enjoy. Best of all? It’s free-to-play from October 4^th. That’s right, folks, it launches today!

Overwatch 2 Gameplay

Much like its predecessor, Overwatch 2 is a team-based PvP game. First in the line of tweaks and changes, the teams will be 5v5 rather than 6v6, dropping one of the Tanks. As such, developers hope that this will streamline gameplay and make for more fast-paced action. With this update, every team member will have more of an impact in battle for a fresh multiplayer experience. 

These team battles will take place across a number of new maps set in beautiful locations across the world. Explore Monte Carlo, Gothenburg, Colosseo, and many more picturesque settings. In addition to this, more cover has been added to the maps, better balancing them for the new team format. 

There are plenty of ways to play Overwatch 2, with new modes set to be released with new seasons. The first of these to join the original line-up will be Push, a symmetrical map where teams battle it out to control the robot in the centre and then push it towards the enemy base. Limited time events will also be featured, with the first happening in Season One! 

Another big change from the first game is currency. “Overwatch Credits” are now called “Overwatch Coins”. Those who played the first game can carry their currency over and purchase core launch cosmetics. Coins can be earned by completing in-game challenges, or by purchasing directly. Additionally, loot boxes will not feature in this game. Developers wanted to balance Overwatch 2 fairly, whether you choose to spend money or not. 

The World Could Always Use More Heroes

Overwatch 2 features a strong cast of characters, already over thirty-strong. With the Season One Battle Pass, you can receive up to three more too. Each character is one of three classes and has unique skills enabling you to rain down terror and destruction. The classes are:

• Tank: Tanks protect the team from the front line. Characters include Zarya, Orisa, and Wrecking Ball. 

• Damage: Damage characters are the offence, with devastating battle skills. Characters include Genji, Mei, and Doomfist. 
• Support: Support buff stats and effects or heal the team. Characters include Ana, Mercy, and Zenyatta. 

New characters will be made available to unlock with upcoming seasons. As will new cosmetic items, weapon charms, skins, and souvenirs. Customise your favourites in a style that suits you! 

Season One 

Overwatch 2 is going to utilise a seasonal system, with new game content and updates coming every nine weeks. Season One starts today! But, you will need a Battle Pass to take part, with a free and premium option available. Both unlock the same core rewards, with premium adding some bonus content. 

With the Free Pass, you immediately unlock two characters, Sojourn and Junker Queen (who is an utter babe). Overwatch players can earn a third, Kiriko, via the Founder’s Pack – although she can be unlocked later on, as well, without having played the original. There are eighty tiers to work through, with rewards spread out across twenty of those. Rewards include Epic skins, weapon charms, and additional items such as emotes and player icons. 

Utilising a Premium Pass, you unlock all three new heroes immediately, as well as extra rewards, including an XP boost. There is exclusive content to earn with the premium pass, such as their new Mythic Skins. The first is available for Genji, so named his Cyber Demon skin. These differ from regular skins as they have layers you can mix and match, each with different colour schemes and patterns. Additionally, there are extra charms, emotes, souvenirs, and more to be had. Premium passes cost either roughly $10 or 1000 Overwatch Coins. As these can be earned over time, you can treat yourself to a premium pass without paying a penny. 

Limited Time Event

This season also includes the first Limited Time Event, Junkenstein’s Revenge: Wrath of the Bride. Some fun, spooky content just in time for Hallowe’en! 

Future of Overwatch 2

With new seasons launching every nine weeks, the future of Overwatch 2 looks exciting! New content will launch with each season, alternating characters and maps, or dropping new game modes. What’s more, the highly anticipated PvE mode is slated for 2023!

Crossplay 

Overwatch 2 is available on PC, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, and PC. All platforms require a Battle Net, but this is a good thing as it allows for complete crossplay and cross-progression. You can seamlessly take your saves across platforms and not have to worry about which one your teammates are using.

Official Specifications 

Overwatch 2 was put through alpha and beta testing, so gameplay should be smooth and balanced for today’s release. Here are the official specifications for playing Overwatch 2: 

Our Top PC Recommendations

Here at Overclockers UK, we have a fantastic range of gaming PCs, from fully customisable to pre-built systems. Your dream gaming PC is sure to be among them. For Overwatch 2, these are our top picks. 

OcUK Gaming Radiance Gaming PC (FS-1DL-OG)

The OcUK Gaming Radiance is a configurable gaming PC, powered by ASUS hardware. Housed in a stylish Cooler Master case, this PC features an AMD Ryzen 5600G processor, which can reach boost speeds up to 4.4GHz. Providing you with flexible options, there are a range of RAM kits up to 32GB, a selection of NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, and comprehensive storage options. Create a gaming PC to best suit you! 

Refract Jade Gaming PC (FS-1DJ-EP)

Part of our Refract Gaming range, the Jade pre-Built PC is crafted from cherry-picked hardware that best facilitates mainstream gaming. Great for 1080p, and 1440p on certain games, this gaming PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU. Harness the power of real-time ray-tracing and hyper-efficient CPU architecture as you boss your way through each Overwatch 2 season. What’s more, it comes with three years parts and labour warranty, as standard, for that juicy peace of mind. 

Refract Celeste Gaming PC (FS-1DH-EP) 

Another member of the Refract Gaming range, the Celeste takes mainstream gaming to the next level. Each of the Refract Gaming PCs has been designed to support different gameplay styles and skills. With the Celeste as part of your arsenal, you’re sure to come out on top in all your Overwatch 2 battles. With an AMD Ryzen7 7700X CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, you’ll be playing with phenomenal graphics and smooth FPS. Once again, the Celeste is covered by a three years parts and labour warranty.