Overwatch 2 is coming to the Nintendo Switch
- by Nick Cohen
- in Industry
- — Nov 4, 2019
"It's not like any gameplay that now exists in Overwatch".
What existing Overwatch players won't get is the PvE content, which means the story missions and hero missions featuring Overwatch's efforts to battle back the Null Sec invasion.
It's also still unclear if Overwatch 2 will be a brand new product, or a full in-game refresh like Fortnite Chapter 2. Overwatch's deep lore has been most frequently explored externally through cinematic shorts and digital comics, giving life to its many characters, but the sequel will bring that into the game.
According to the aforementioned ESPN report, Overwatch 2 will have a much larger focus on PvE (player-vs-environment) modes, in which you and your friends will be able to team up against the AI in story missions. Overwatch 2 is wholly additive to the original Overwatch experience.
While Kaplan emphasized that this sequel is nowhere near ready for release, telling ESPN that the new heroes, maps and mode would not be ready for the third season of the Overwatch League, he did talk about what this sequel would have on the competitive scene. There's no word yet on how Push will differ from existing favorites like Assault and Control.
Overwatch is now available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, so we expect the sequel to come to all of those platforms (especially if it ends up just being one big title update).
Along with Sojourn, Kaplan noted that there will be other new heroes added to the game, but gave absolutely no hint as to who they may be. "Hardcore players don't know they are hardcore right away. but with that said, I feel like the lack of cooperative [single-player] content greatly reduced the player base we could have had in the original game".
Kaplan was sure to share that Overwatch 2 is not a traditional sequel.
Those systems include the role queue, a system that forces players into choosing either a tank, damage or support role before a match, which was implemented earlier this year. It'll likely be awhile yet before we find out about Echo's status: A release date for Overwatch 2 hasn't been set. The game will also still heavily feature six-versus-six team combat, alongside a new core "Push" mode.
So far six character classes have been confirmed, the Barbarian, Monk, Wizard, Crusader, Necromancer and as of BlizzCon 2019 - The Demon Hunter. "Non-OWL players were not using this strategy".