Blizzard's Overwatch Rebounds: Players Enjoying the Game Again After Years

After years of struggle, Blizzard Entertainment has navigated into uncharted territory: Overwatch players are enjoying the game once again. The Overwatch team has experienced its share of setbacks, from the monumental launch of the original game in 2016 to the challenging release of Overwatch 2, which was marred by divisive balance changes, a disastrous launch, a sea of negative reviews, and the cancellation of PvE content. As each issue arose, fans grew skeptical about Blizzard's ability to restore the game's former glory. However, after a series of fundamental changes, the community now believes that Overwatch 2 is not only set to deliver the most exciting lineup of content in years but might be in its best state ever.

To All Agents of Overwatch

On February 12, 2025, game director Aaron Keller and the Overwatch team unveiled an Overwatch 2 Spotlight presentation aimed at showcasing "what the future holds." With years of challenging decisions behind them, fans approached the event with a mix of apprehension and cautious optimism. The 34-minute presentation outlined a comprehensive content release schedule, introduced long-requested changes, and emphasized transparency—a stark contrast to the unfulfilled promises of the past.

The 2025 roadmap for Overwatch 2 seemed achievable, featuring new Damage and Support heroes, Freja and Aqua, alongside Stadium, a groundbreaking third-person Competitive mode designed to refresh the standard gameplay experience. The return of loot boxes, a controversial monetization tactic previously removed when the original Overwatch was shuttered in 2022, came with modifications that made them more rewarding without requiring real-world currency. The introduction of perks, granting all 43 characters unique, game-changing abilities, and a detailed plan to revert to 6v6 gameplay, represented a weighty list of tangible additions and more content than Overwatch players had seen since the launch of Overwatch 2—all slated for release within just a few months.

Not gonna lie I had a lot of fun playing 6v6 perk watch today

It makes me really happy to say Overwatch actually has found the light on this path

Post bans, 6v6 open queue perkwatch is the best state the game has been in since 2020

Looks like hero shooters will stay winning!

— Samito (@SamitoFPS) April 5, 2025

By April, the implementation of loot boxes, Freja, Stadium, and Classic balance modes marked a significant shift, breaking the monotony of repetitive seasonal content and surpassing expectations. Fans, previously worried about the hero shooter's future, now see a renewed commitment from a team determined to see Overwatch 2 succeed. This transformation has sparked debate about what triggered such a radical change in strategy, but the results are clear: Overwatch 2 is thriving under a revitalized Blizzard.

"They pulled themselves out the gutter with this one," Reddit user Right_Entertainer324 remarked about the Overwatch 2 Spotlight. "Super excited for the future of Overwatch 2, for the first time in… Well, ever."

Experience Tranquility

Despite the rollercoaster journey, it's been nearly seven years since Overwatch was the beloved titan it once was. Even with the influx of fulfilled promises in Seasons 15 and 16, fans remain cautiously optimistic, aware that setbacks could still occur. Yet, Blizzard continues to push forward, driven by the leadership of Aaron Keller and his team, leading to a robust state of growth and competition.

"Let's be honest, (Overwatch 2's) development history has been... troubled," noted a popular post from Reddit user ImperialViking_. "When PvE was cancelled we all thought it was the end. Now, come Season 15, Overwatch has turned the corner and the future is looking super bright."

They added: "All in all I think it goes without saying that the devs have really been hitting it out of the park recently. People calling them ‘lazy’ is just plain wrong. There are OF COURSE still issues with (Overwatch), and there always will be, but the decisions of Aaron and the team have led the game to a healthy state of growth and competition. I think that deserves praise."

The sentiment across platforms like Reddit, Discord, and X/Twitter has shifted, with posts celebrating Stadium and the introduction of Competitive hero bans in Season 16, allowing players to opt out of playing against certain heroes like Sombra. This long-awaited feature, implemented just last week, has been a game-changer.

Devs absolutely cooking this season
byu/Dswim inOverwatch

Blizzard's efforts to rebuild trust are just beginning, but the change in community sentiment is unmistakable. Content creator Niandra, who scrutinized the state of Overwatch 2 in their "Let’s Talk About the State of Overwatch 2" video last summer, remains cautiously optimistic. They believe the community's mood is improving, thanks to key additions like perks, Stadium, and Freja.

"I think a particularly critical playerbase is to be somewhat expected with games that try to be your forever game and a part of your daily routine," they explained, "but I think the (Overwatch) community is getting happier! I wouldn't be surprised if ex Overwatch players have curiously checked out the game again recently."

Stadium has become a cornerstone of Overwatch 2, not only for its innovative gameplay but also for fostering constructive discussions on how to enhance it. Although lacking a Quickplay option and crossplay support, the community largely enjoys the new mode, with most expecting further development in future seasons. Blizzard's swift response to community feedback, promising to address highly requested features like crossplay, was met with appreciation.

they genuinely COOKED with stadium
byu/Silent-Account-3081 inOverwatch

"God it is so nice seeing this," one Reddit user commented after Blizzard promised to tackle highly requested features like crossplay. "Literal IMMEDIATE update on feedback they’ve been given. Making no promises but being transparent about what the feedback is and how they intend to handle it. I really do love this direction of community communication they’ve been on for the last year or so."

Does This Mean Overwatch Is Back?

Overwatch has been considered a black sheep in the gaming community for some time. Once a beloved multiplayer staple, it faced numerous challenges that led to its decline. The renewed interest and faith in its potential do not mean all issues are resolved or that Overwatch 2 is now perfect, but it does suggest a path to recovery.

The momentum is evident, yet many believe Blizzard could further engage its community by reviving traditional story cinematics. These narrative tie-ins, which once garnered millions of views, were sidelined as Blizzard focused on the game itself. Their return could reconnect players with the game's characters and world, fulfilling one of the community's most cherished desires.

"It feels like Overwatch has spent the last few years focusing on just the game itself, which has been wonderful don't get me wrong, but does mean the reach outside of it feels limited," Niandra noted. "Overwatch feels much like one very well-made PvP game, as opposed to the big multimedia franchise it has the potential to be, which is a shame considering all the praise its world-building and lore has gotten over the years."

Following Blizzard’s February event, Overwatch has shifted from being the most negatively reviewed game on Steam to receiving "Mixed" reactions from players. As the team continues to introduce new content like Stadium and the long-awaited return to 6v6, consistent performance will determine if Blizzard can fully reclaim its lost ground. Recent progress indicates that this goal is within reach.

"I think we’ve entered a new golden age of Overwatch," said hero-shooter content creator and longtime Overwatch player Flats during a recent livestream. "Overwatch is potentially in the best state it’s ever been, and it’s not even close. Better than the launch of Overwatch 2. Better than when the PvE missions ‘came out.’ Dare I say, better than Overwatch 1. The only time, maybe not, is 2016 hype when it first started – arguably."

Overwatch 2 Season 16 marked the beginning of Blizzard’s ambitious new phase last week, introducing the new Damage hero Freja and announcing a mech-fueled Gundam collaboration. Upcoming seasons promise a Dva Mythic skin, a Reaper Mythic Weapon skin, additional Stadium characters, and more. Only time will tell if these efforts will fully restore Overwatch to its former glory.