It has been nearly ten years since Overwatch first burst onto the scene. If I’m being honest, for at least half of that decade, I’ve been playing out of habit rather than hype. But something fundamental has shifted recently. Blizzard has finally stopped chasing the “2” and started focusing on the game we actually fell in love with.
The symbolic dropping of the “2” from the branding—reverting the game back to simply Overwatch—is more than a marketing tweak; it’s an admission. It’s a confession that the sequel’s identity was muddled by the weight of promises that didn’t land. By stripping away that baggage and resetting the clock to “Season 1” for 2026, the team has cleared a path for a game that finally feels “new” again.
For a game that I was initially not sold on (paying full price for an online-only PvP shooter?!), I’ve certainly invested time and more money than I’d like to admit. Overwatch was a revelation to me, and a game that I’ve always held a soft spot for. Seeing it slide into a decline over the past few years has been rough. But now it’s exciting again.
The Road Back to Form: Overwatch 2’s Legacy
Before we talk about the recent reset, we have to acknowledge the heroes that kept the lights on during the Overwatch 2 era. I dropped off pretty quickly after that first season, and actually missed a fair few heroes. Apart from Kiriko and Junker Queen, I’ve had a lot to catch-up on.
Since that 2022 launch, the roster expanded with some genuinely experimental kits:
- Tanks: We saw the arrival of Sojourn (the face of the sequel), the brawling Junker Queen, the tempo-shifting Ramattra, the unstoppable Mauga, and the area-denial specialist Hazard.
- Support: This role saw a renaissance with the mobility of Kiriko, the utility of Lifeweaver, the solar-powered lethality of Illari, and of course, the Martian-born Juno.
- Damage: Venture brought a much-needed drill-dashing unpredictability to the DPS line-up, alongside Freja.
While these additions were great, the game often felt like it was struggling to balance its new 5v5 identity with its legacy. That changed this February.
The Power of Five
With the return to the original Overwatch title, Blizzard didn’t just tweak the UI. They dropped five new heroes at once to kick off the “Reign of Talon” story arc. This is the excitement I’m talking about. The sheer volume of new options has completely shattered the latest established meta:
- Domina (Tank): The Vishkar heiress brings long-range “poke” tanking back into fashion with her hard-light barriers and beam weaponry.
- Anran (Damage): Wuyang’s sister, who uses fire-based fans to ignite the battlefield—and has a terrifying ability to resurrect herself in a fiery explosion.
- Emre (Damage): A long-awaited name from the lore finally joins as a cybernetic specialist with a high-speed, aggressive playstyle.
- Mizuki (Support): A frontline-style healer who uses a bouncing “Kasa” hat to mend allies and chains to hinder enemies.
- Jetpack Cat (Support): Yes, the legend is real. Brigitte’s cat is officially a high-mobility “tactician” who can carry excess ultimate charge and tow allies through the air.
I’ll be honest, the pure concept of Jetpack Cat stirs up a rage inside me. I really don’t like it, but damn, that is one useful support. I’ve heard of people trying to master using it to even cary ultimates to specific areas. Whilst cats, cat meme culture etc are not for me. Credit, where credit is due. Overwatch has a Jetpack Cat, and it’s actually a very strong contender for most useful 2026 addtion to the game.
Domina has been foing a great job at literally dominating recent matches, too. It’s been really interesteing learning how she works, and more, how best to counter her.
There’s a lot more to try and to master, but with all the previous additions that I’ve missed as well. I have plenty to dig into. None will be as good as Juno, though…..
New Mechanics
The excitement isn’t just about the faces; it’s about how they play. The game has been mechanically rebuilt with two major additions:
The Perk System: Adding in-match ability upgrades has introduced tactical depth that reminds me of why I love the genre. It’s no longer just about who has the better aim; it’s about adapting your “build” to the specific threats in the lobby. It took a few rounds to get to grips with it, and honestly, remember that you can adopt these perks as you go.
Sub-Roles & Passives: The roles have been further specialized into categories like Stalwart (knockback resistant tanks), Flanker (high-sustain DPS), and Survivor (mobility-based healing). It makes every hero choice feel deliberate, and helps you pick from a massive roster when you’re new or newly returned. I like how it’s giving a broader set of options in what is essentially a narrow selections of categories.
Just some tweaks and better information on who you’re picking, and you’re suddenly better-equipped to deal with whatever you face. I’m a big fan of what Overwatch is trying to do here, and look forward to seeing how it played-out longer term.
Finding the Flow
Amidst all this, Juno is currently my new favourite. While the game as a whole is in a better place, she is the hero that bridged the gap for me. Her kit represents the best of the “new” Overwatch: high-mobility, snappy response times, and a “flow state” that makes every match feel like a dance. She’s a little bit DPS, a little bit support and just fun to play. I can’t wait to master her, to be honest.
We often talk about the “feeling” of a game – that intangible sense of polish and purpose. For years, Overwatch felt like it was losing its grip. Today? It’s the stronger than it has been in years. The “2” is gone, the heroes are free for everyone, and for the first time in a decade, I’m actually excited to see what happens in the next match.
It’s a weird one after mentally/emotionally resigning Overwatch to one of those games that used to be good, but is no longer worth the time. Seeing it start to make a comeback, particularly with more competition than it’s ever had before (Marvel Rivals is still really good….). Overwatch might be on the cusp of reclaiming the genre, and all of my time.