Overwatch is understood for its thrilling seasonal occasions. A few of the most iconic cosmetics, voicelines, and maps have come straight out of the numerous occasions Blizzard has added into the already colourful sport. However Overwatch 2 appears to maintain falling brief.
One of the crucial standard occasions for followers has at all times been the Lunar New 12 months occasion, which runs from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 this 12 months and celebrates the 12 months of the Rabbit. However this time, issues simply don’t fairly really feel the identical.
The fan-favorite occasion has fallen flat for a number of causes this 12 months. Listed here are 5 issues that would make the occasion higher.
1) Extra skins
Overwatch 2 has already acquired heavy criticism for its new monetization mannequin, which has shifted from a one-time cost to a battle go and paid cosmetics system like many different video games within the style. The issue is that Overwatch gamers have been used to a sure mannequin since 2016, and now every little thing is a lot dearer.
Even when cosmetics inside Overwatch 2 are priced comparatively with cosmetics in different first-person shooters, there are nonetheless issues with the beauty monetization within the sport. And whatever the points with the worth of cosmetics, this 12 months’s Lunar New 12 months occasion skins are extremely lackluster.
The primary pores and skin being marketed because the poster baby of this occasion is the Hu Tou Mao pores and skin for Mei. Although this pores and skin is a cute nod to the 12 months of the Rabbit, including bunny ears to Mei’s hat and adorning her in pink and gold colours, it doesn’t change a lot about her primary outfit moreover the ears. The pores and skin prices 1000 Overwatch Cash, which is about $10.
It’s a very typical Lunar New 12 months occasion pores and skin that leaves lots to be desired, particularly as the principle promoting level for the very first Lunar New 12 months occasion in Overwatch 2.
The opposite two featured skins, the Kkachi Echo pores and skin and Masked Dancer Moira pores and skin, are each outdated Lunar New 12 months skins being introduced again for the 2023 occasion. The latter is coming again as a Twitch drop, whereas the Echo pores and skin is a reward for finishing arcade challenges.
Though there are some skins gamers can get totally free, most Overwatch gamers probably have already got them from earlier years, and the one technique to get the Mei pores and skin is to pay.
There aren’t any different new skins for the 12 months of the Rabbit. Oh, and each different Asian hero has a Lunar New 12 months pores and skin, however Ramattra, who’s from Southeast Asia, doesn’t? It doesn’t make a lot sense.
It could simply be good to see some extra new pores and skin designs for this occasion.
2) One other festive map makeover
Lijiang Tower’s Lunar New 12 months model is a fan-favorite map. The tower turns into festively lit and appears to have a brand new heat to it. Overwatch followers at all times look ahead to the Lunar New 12 months model of the map to be rotated into the pool.
Whereas Lijiang Tower is again, decked out in festive decorations, there nonetheless isn’t one other map that has acquired a Lunar New 12 months makeover.
This comes to a different concern, just like the oversight of a Ramattra pores and skin, that someway Overwatch 2 appears to be forgetting that Lunar New 12 months isn’t solely celebrated in China. Whereas there are some Lunar New 12 months cosmetics that decision on Korean or Japanese tradition of their designs, Blizzard appears to be lacking an enormous alternative.
We’ve got a number of maps now situated in numerous components of Asia. Busan, Kanezaka, and Shambali Monastery, to call just a few. None of those maps have acquired the identical festive remedy that Lijiang has, and admittedly it’s a disappointment to see.
The 2 different occasions within the sport that include particular maps are the Winter and Halloween seasonal occasions. Each of those occasions have two festive map editions every, so why can’t we get one other for Lunar New 12 months?
3) The Arcade challenges should be extra thrilling
The brand new arcade mode challenges for Lunar New 12 months are definitely an improve to a number of the occasions within the authentic Overwatch, the place the goals have been too easy. “Win 9 ranked video games to get a pores and skin” acquired outdated actually quick, and plenty of gamers may knock out the week-long challenges in a single play session.
Now, Blizzard has put extra effort into making these challenges a bit extra distinctive in Overwatch 2, which is an efficient factor. Nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t really feel like sufficient, particularly with every little thing else this occasion is lacking.
The Lunar New 12 months challenges all revolve round arcade modes, and particular challenges inside the totally different video games. This may get extra gamers, particularly new gamers, to discover the arcade extra, however nothing about any of those sport modes is definitely new or distinctive.
In distinction, we acquired an upgraded model of the traditional PvE mission Junkenstein’s Revenge within the Halloween occasion final 12 months. And the Lunar New 12 months occasion doesn’t even have its personal PvE occasion within the first place!
On the very least, can’t we add slightly bunny to the “flag” in CTF mode? Or add some sort of Lunar New 12 months twist to the Bounty Hunter sport mode? We’re not even asking for a completely new sport mode right here, however simply one thing to make issues extra particular could be nice.
4) Season 2 is sort of over, can we rejoice?
Overwatch 2 is about to wrap up its second aggressive season. On the finish of season one, gamers have been scrambling for rank, excited for the potential of a model new hero, map, and different content material. However this time? Issues really feel… quiet.
The Lunar New 12 months occasion would have been a terrific alternative to introduce or tease one thing thrilling for the sport’s third aggressive season. As an alternative, it barely seems like we’re about to be confronted with the potential of a significant rank reset once more. Possibly everyone seems to be so afraid of their ranks resetting that they’re too scared to speak about it?
Fortunately, builders have confirmed some indicators that they’re listening to the neighborhood and might be making some necessary adjustments for season 3.
5) Can we get a Southeast Asian hero that isn’t a robotic?
Overwatch 2 desperately wants a human Southeast Asian hero. There are different big holes in illustration within the sport, regardless of it total having a stable and numerous roster. Certainly one of these holes is the shortage of human Southeast Asian heroes.
In 2022, Riot Video games launched Filipino characters into each VALORANT and League of Legends, and so they have been met with incredible reception from the neighborhood.
Ramattra, Echo, and Zenyatta are all from Southeast Asia, however having a area with solely Omnic and never human illustration nonetheless falls brief. It could be great to see one other human hero from Southeast Asia be part of Overwatch 2.
The Lunar New 12 months occasion and the tip of the aggressive season would have been the right alternative to lastly announce a Southeast Asian hero. However followers will nonetheless should patiently watch for now.
