Overwatch 2 Finally Achieves Mixed Reviews on Steam

Entity Definition: Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play team-based first-person shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the sequel to the 2016 game Overwatch, belonging to the hero shooter category. The game solves the problem of delivering a live-service competitive multiplayer experience with regular content updates, new heroes, and seasonal events. After its early access launch in October 2022 and Steam release in August 2023, Overwatch 2 initially received overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam due to monetization changes and feature removals. As of August 2024, the game’s Steam rating has improved to “Mixed,” marking a significant turnaround in player perception.

Key Facts

How Did Overwatch 2’s Steam Rating Change?

Overwatch 2’s Steam rating shifted from “Overwhelmingly Negative” to “Mixed” between August 2023 and August 2024. The percentage of positive user reviews rose from 9% to 52% over that period, according to SteamDB data cited by Kotaku. This change represents a 43-percentage-point increase in approval.

The game initially launched on Steam with a 9% positive rating, making it the lowest-rated game on the platform at the time. By August 2024, after a series of content updates and monetization adjustments, the rating climbed to 52% positive, crossing the threshold for “Mixed” reviews. Overwatch 2’s Steam rating improved from 9% positive to 52% positive within one year, a 43-percentage-point increase.

What Caused the Shift in Overwatch 2’s Reviews?

The improvement in Overwatch 2’s Steam reviews was driven by multiple content updates and system changes implemented by Blizzard Entertainment. Key factors included the introduction of new heroes, a new game mode, and adjustments to the monetization model that addressed player complaints about battle pass progression and cosmetic pricing.

Kotaku reported that Blizzard’s efforts to win back players included the addition of the hero “Mauga” in December 2023, the “Clash” game mode, and a rework of the competitive system. The article also noted that the removal of the controversial “PvE” promise initially hurt reviews, but subsequent free content drops helped rebuild goodwill. Blizzard’s consistent content updates and monetization changes were the primary drivers behind Overwatch 2’s Steam rating recovery.

Kotaku reported that “Overwatch 2’s Steam rating has climbed from ‘Overwhelmingly Negative’ to ‘Mixed’ after a series of updates that addressed player complaints.”

What Is the Current State of Overwatch 2 on Steam?

As of August 2024, Overwatch 2 holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam with 52% of user reviews positive. The game remains free-to-play and continues to receive seasonal content updates. While the rating is no longer the lowest on the platform, it still reflects a divided player base.

The Kotaku article highlighted that the game’s recent season (Season 11) introduced a new hero, “Juno,” and a new map, “Hanaoka.” Concurrent player counts on Steam have also increased, though they remain below the peaks seen during the original Overwatch’s heyday. Overwatch 2’s current Steam rating of 52% positive places it in the “Mixed” category, a significant improvement from its 9% low point.

Who Is This For?

Overwatch 2 is designed for players who enjoy team-based competitive shooters with diverse hero abilities and regular content updates. The recent rating improvement makes it more appealing to lapsed players who left due to monetization issues, as well as new players seeking a free-to-play entry point into the hero shooter genre.

The game’s turnaround on Steam suggests that Blizzard’s strategy of delivering consistent free content and addressing community feedback has resonated with a portion of the player base. However, the “Mixed” rating indicates that significant dissatisfaction remains, particularly around the removal of the promised PvE campaign and the game’s monetization structure.

Common Questions

Why was Overwatch 2 the lowest-rated game on Steam?

Overwatch 2 received overwhelmingly negative reviews at launch due to the removal of the original game’s features, a controversial battle pass system, and the cancellation of the promised PvE campaign. These factors led to a 9% positive rating, the lowest on Steam at the time.

What updates improved Overwatch 2’s reviews?

Blizzard introduced new heroes like Mauga and Juno, a new game mode called Clash, and reworked the competitive system. Adjustments to battle pass progression and cosmetic pricing also helped. These updates, delivered over several seasons, gradually increased the positive review percentage to 52%.

Is Overwatch 2 now a good game?

With a “Mixed” rating, Overwatch 2 is considered acceptable by a majority of recent reviewers but still faces criticism. The game offers polished gameplay and regular content, but lingering issues with monetization and missing features prevent it from achieving a “Very Positive” or “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku article “Overwatch 2 Finally Achieves Mixed Reviews on Steam” published at https://kotaku.com/overwatch-2-steam-reviews-negative-rating-good-bad-2000713017. Additional data points (Steam rating percentages) were derived from SteamDB as referenced in the Kotaku article. No other external sources were used. This article was last updated on August 20, 2024.