Summary
- Finally, Overwatch 2 evolved its identity from OG with the introduction of hero perks and third-person “Stadium” gameplay mode.
- Blizzard takes bigger risks as competition emerges in the market bringing out the most substantial updates since its launch.
- Steam review shifted from “Overwhelmingly Negative” to “Mixed” after years due to the recent updates.
How far has Overwatch 2 improved from its release in 2023? Over the years, the game received criticism from Steam and its community, gathering “Overwhelmingly Negative” reviews. So, will it still be worth playing in 2025? See here in this Overwatch 2 Game Review 2025.
A Rocky Road Since Launch
Blizzard initially launched Overwatch 2 to be the replacement for the original Game of the Year-winning title. This allowed them to implement several changes without maintaining two separate player bases. Yet, it appears to be a bad decision as the game quickly fell out of favor with many fans.
The community particularly expressed disappointment over the promised PvE campaign mode, heavily promoted way back in BlizzCon 2019. Eventually, the mode was dramatically scaled back and canceled following the poor reception of its first campaign content. Since then, inconsistent balance patches plagued the game.
Although Blizzard released mid-season updates refreshing the meta, most reworks have had unintended consequences for the game. One of them being the recent patches that provided major buffs to tank characters. The one-sided advantage to tank players led to issues with other classes.
Recent Revival: Hero Perks and Third-Person Mode
After years of negative feedback, Overwatch 2 finally saw a revival after an update hit in February 2025. They introduced the Season 15’s hero perks system which massively adds 168 new upgrades across their 40+ hero roster. This has been the biggest shakeup to the game since they transitioned into 5v5 gameplay.
With this bold move, they managed to improve the game’s reception and an actual change to game reviews. Their Steam remarks shifted from “Overwhelmingly Negative” to “Mixed” after the recent events. While it may still be a long way, it is definitely better than the previous reactions.
Some users appreciate the risky approach that Blizzard took, allowing them to come back into the game. Moreover, they also added a third-person Stadium Mode which breaks away from the Overwatch 2 rule book. These big and experimental changes likely shape the new identity of the game.
Competition Driving Innovation
Undoubtedly, the sudden rise of Marvel Rivals gave a shock to Overwatch 2’s development trajectory. With bigger competition, Blizzard likely accelerated the implementation of many of their significant updates. Reportedly, the “Stadium Mode” is set to release for the next season with pressure paving for its earlier launch.
If this risk pays off, this place Overwatch 2 back in the competitive scene between game titles. Moreover, it’ll benefit players as well to experience a more innovative environment.
Is Overwatch 2 Worth Playing in 2025?
Now, with all those changes in Overwatch 2, is it safe to say that it is still playable in 2025? Well, definitely, Blizzard has been providing reasons to not tune in to Overwatch 2 for 2025. With this 2025 game review, Overwatch 2 is still a game to keep your eyes on.
The game has not failed to provide regular content updates ranging from new maps and heroes all throughout the year. Moreover, it is not afraid to experiment and take bigger risks as it worked on bringing back the 6v6 format. On the other hand, the game still has a healthy population despite the decrease in player numbers. So, it won’t be that much difficult to find matches across regions and skill levels.
Another advantage is that it remains to be a free-to-play model. This presents a low barrier to entry, allowing curious players to dive into the game. They can experience the full gameplay without investing their money. The only monetization in the game lies in the seasonal battle passes and cosmetic purchases. However, if you’re just looking for a casual play then it’ll definitely won’t be heavy on your wallet.
Conclusion
More improvements are yet to come for Overwatch 2 in the following years. But from what this 2025 game review saw on Overwatch 2 is its endless potential to rise to fame again. The game can attract players again with the new hero perks system and upcoming Stadium mode. However, it’ll still be tough work for Blizzard to completely shift players’ sentiment with Overwatch 2.
