Tag: overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 Becomes Steam’s Worst-Reviewed Game of All Time

Overwatch 2 has made history by becoming the worst-reviewed game on Steam. Publisher Blizzard, which usually kept its PC games locked to the Battle.net client, brought its team-based shooter to Steam on August 10, only to be flooded with negative reviews. At the time of writing, merely nine percent of the overall ratings (111,234) are positive, with many criticising the title’s approach to locking heroes and cosmetics behind a battle pass and the cancellation of its long-advertised PvE mode. While Blizzard might have expected some backlash, this reception must’ve been eye-opening for them, given Battle.net did not have a review system in place.

With the release of season 6 ‘Invasion,’ Overwatch 2 had moved on from early access, though it still swayed from the purpose of its existence. You see, the sequel was announced to have PvE as an always-on game mode that would let players gather XP by completing story missions to level up their preferred heroes, by way of a role-playing-game. It was supposed to push its overarching lore forward, but back in May, Blizzard confirmed that it was no longer in development, instead releasing it in gradual, smaller batches as a means to flourish the co-op experience. Not only does this render the sequel useless, but the addition of a battle pass and other live-service gimmicks at the start didn’t sit well with longtime fans.

Another cool thing to note here is that nearly two-thirds of those reviews are reportedly in Simplified Chinese. As per games analyst Daniel Ahmad, Overwatch 2 and World of Warcraft were the biggest PC games in China before the regional servers were shut down due to a disagreement between Blizzard and its Chinese distributor NetEase. The 14-year-old partnership was brought to an end earlier this year over new terms in the licensing agreement, which ultimately led to gamers in the country using VPNs to play those games. There haven’t been any announcements of the servers returning, and Overwatch 2’s arrival on Steam was a means for them to communicate those concerns, in addition to criticising the aforementioned changes made to the game. The reliance on VPNs also forced them to suffer slow logins and connection issues.

With these numbers in merely three days, Overwatch 2 has overtaken the Chinese card-battle game War of the Three Kingdoms as the worst-reviewed game on the platform. The former has garnered 101,826 negative reviews, at the time of writing, dropping it to an ‘Overwhelmingly Negative’ tag. Blizzard also has plans to bring a selection of its other titles to Steam, which would be highly beneficial to PC players since a good majority of them hate having to switch between different accounts and clients to play their favourite games. It’s unclear which ones would be making the jump, but I really hope that the Diablo games are next.

Overwatch 2 is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

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Overwatch 2’s One-Punch Man Collaboration Is Now Live: Doomfist Fashioned After Saitama, More Details

Overwatch 2’s collaboration event with the uber-popular anime One-Punch Man is now live. Marking the first IP crossover for Blizzard’s team-based shooter, the update ushers in a new set of skins and other cosmetic items inspired by the anime. The event is scheduled to last for a month until April 6, during which time players can complete in-game challenges to unlock rewards, including a free Legendary status Mumen Rider Soldier: 76 skin. Other skins will need to be purchased from the in-game shop using Overwatch Coins.

The four heroes headlining the Overwatch 2 x One-Punch Man collab have the same movesets as usual, but appear as if they are cosplaying characters from the anime. “As massive fans of anime and One-Punch Man, we’re beyond thrilled to bring this new collaboration to our players around the world. The Overwatch universe is an optimistic vision of near-future Earth, so why wouldn’t Doomfist cosplay Saitama?”, Mike Ybarra, president, Blizzard Entertainment, said in a prepared statement. The gauntlet-wielding Doomfist is the ideal choice to represent Saitama, who is known for his devastatingly powerful punches. Both characters are bald too.

For 2,500 Overwatch Coins, players can unlock the Doomfist-Saitama bundle, which includes the skin, a ‘Saitama Punch’ highlight intro, an exclusive name card, the ‘Training Regiment’ emote, and a “One Hundred Push-Ups…” quote voice line. The new healing ninja Kiriko is next on the list, fashioned after Tatsumaki, the tornado-bending professional hero. Her bundle costs 2,100 Overwatch Coins, and simply includes a victory pose and a name card in addition to the skin. The lowest priced bundle is Genos Genji, the cybernetic disciple of Saitama, costing 1,900 Overwatch Coins and granting only a skin and a name card.

Another option is to buy the One-Punch Man Mega bundle, which includes all the aforementioned items for 4,400 units of in-game currency — 2,100 less than it would cost to buy them individually. Coins can be purchased directly from the in-game store — costing $19.99 (about Rs. 1,637) for 2,000 units. Alternatively, they can be earned in smaller quantities by completing weekly challenges.

As stated before, the fourth skin based on Mumen Rider’s appearance can be unlocked by completing exclusive challenges, as one of six different rewards. Players have an entire month to rack up 24 wins, regardless of what game mode they choose to play — Arcade, Competitive, or Casual modes — and eventually unlock the special skin for Soldier: 76. Here’s a breakdown of the rewards you’ll get upon completing each milestone:

  • 4 games played — Saitama’s Fist Weapon Charm
  • 8 games played — Mumen Rider Name Card
  • 12 games played — Cyclist of Justice Victory Pose for Soldier: 76
  • 16 games played — Justice Crash Highlight Intro for Soldier: 76
  • 20 games played — Boros Weapon Charm
  • 24 games played — Legendary Mumen Rider-Soldier: 76 skin

At the moment, Overwatch 2 is enjoying its Season 3 event as well. This introduced an Asian mythology theme and a new ice-based Control map called Antarctic Peninsula. The annual PachiMarchi event is also returning on March 21, bringing a limited-time ‘Kill Confirmed’ mode and a Roadhog skin bearing a Pachimari tattoo on his round belly. Meanwhile, the One-Punch Man anime series is gearing up for its third season, announced last year, with a poster featuring Saitama and Hero Hunter Garou.

The Overwatch 2 x One-Punch Man event is now live across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

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Overwatch 2’s Battle for Olympus Event Is Now Live, Heroes Fashioned After Greek Myth

Overwatch 2’s Battle for Olympus limited-time event is now live. The latest update ushers in the new seasonal mode, which introduces a free-for-all deathmatch game featuring seven select Heroes, reimagined as Greek gods, goddesses, and creatures. Blizzard Entertainment had previously dropped a trailer for the event, teasing some of the new god-like abilities that stack on top of your champions’ ultimates. The studio has now shared some patch notes that break down each ability, alongside a global leaderboard that serves to immortalise a hero with an in-game statue. The event is scheduled to run until January 19.

To re-iterate, Battle for Olympus is simply the standard Overwatch 2 deathmatch mode with a fresh coat of Olympian paint. Bear in mind, that the new effects are restricted to this mode only, and that the quick play and competitive segments will continue with the Heroes’ normal kits. The seven playable heroes included in the game mode are Junker Queen, Lució, Pharah, Ramattra, Reinhardt, Roadhog, and Widowmaker — all of whom are armed with “Divine” ultimates that last longer than the standard ones, and add changes to your regular moveset. Furthermore, each character is designed and named after an appropriate Greek legend, the skins for which can be purchased using coins earned by completing the weekly challenges. Just like previous seasonal events, Battle for Olympus can be accessed by navigating to the Arcade section.

When playing Lúcio reimagined as Hermes — thanks to his speed — his Divine Sound Barrier ultimate will last 20 seconds, granting him infinite ammunition, the ability to jump again after leaping off a wall ride, and greatly increased attack and movement speed. Furthermore, if his Boop action knocks enemies into a wall, they will be dealt extra damage and a stunned shortly. Since Overwatch 2’s Battle for Olympus is a deathmatch mode, this off-healer’s abilities only benefit him. Meanwhile, the sniper Widowmaker, who is fashioned after the snake-headed Medusa, can turn enemies looking at you into stone, when scoped in. This, of course, goes in line with the actual Greek Gorgo, who petrifies those who gaze directly into her eyes. Not to mention, the ultimate enables a high-risk high-reward playstyle, urging you to get enemies to notice your vantage point.

What you’re getting here is essentially a God Mode for Overwatch 2, where all powers are pulled straight from Greek mythology. Minotaur Reinhardt’s Divine ultimate also lasts 20 seconds, letting him heal up whenever an enemy is slammed or charged into a wall. He can now pin up to three opponents at once, with wall slams dealing extra damage and setting the next charge cooldown to just 0.5 seconds, which is incredibly overpowered. Zeus Junker Queen is equipped with Divine Rampage, where all damage inflicted using her Scattergun has a chance to apply additional lightning damage to her abilities. Meanwhile, the new tank Ramattra is equipped with the sea god Poseidon’s boon, starting with the Ravenous Vortex, a large whirlpool that sucks in enemies and then launches them in the air. You can also shoot out large water blasts that deal heavy damage.

Roadhog only has one eye in the mode, thanks to his power being fashioned after Cyclops. His 15-second-long Divine Roadhog ability greatly expands his body, adding 600 health points, and adds the ability to hurl boulders instead of his normal ultimate fire. His melee attacks, on the other hand, deal five times more damage than usual and push enemies away with each strike. And finally, there’s Hades Pharah, who is now mobile when performing her Rocket Barrage, making her less open and vulnerable to being stunned or killed while in the animation. Also, during the Divine ultimate’s 20-second period, each kill heals Pharah and extends the duration of the effect.

As stated before, the hero with the highest number of eliminations by the end of the Battle for Olympus event will be forever immortalised with a statue on the Illios Ruins map. Additionally, Overwatch 2 is now littered with special challenges that help unlock new, thematic voice lines, player titles, and new cosmetics to buy using Overwatch Coins. There’s a checkpoint-based challenge as well, which unlocks the Legendary Winged Victory Mercy skin.

Overwatch 2’s Battle for Olympus event is now live until January 19, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

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Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Will Require Phone Number Verification Like Overwatch 2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will require mobile number verification. A newly updated article on the Battle.net website claims that players are required to register with a phone number to play the game. The verification system, which Blizzard Entertainment likes to call SMS Protect, is aimed at cutting down on toxic behaviour from players and multiple free accounts. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II launches on October 28 across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

A similar practice caused issues for Overwatch 2 players, last week, where players reported being locked out of their Battle.net accounts. More specifically, those on prepaid mobile plans. A separate support page on the Battle.net website notes details regarding phone number verification, which states: “Mobile phones with prepaid plans may not work with the phone notification service.” As reports started piling up, Blizzard eventually eased the restrictions for players who had been signed up to Battle.net for more than a year. New players, however, will be required to add their numbers.

“We remain committed to combating disruptive behaviour in Overwatch 2 — accounts that were not connected to Battle.net, as well as new accounts, will still have to meet SMS Protect requirements,” So now, the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 joins this verification practice, alongside any “newly created” Modern Warfare accounts. The page further states that notifications will only be text-message/ SMS based. Meaning, you can’t set it up for other two-factor authentication (2FA) apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, and their ilk. Furthermore, you can’t receive two-factor codes on VoIP services, be it iMessage or WhatsApp.

A PC Gamer report from last week noted that some Modern Warfare 2 beta players were getting locked out of their accounts, for having a prepaid mobile number. “This seems very wrong to require videogame players to enter into a contract with a telecom company before being allowed to play the game they paid for,” its source said. “Especially when prepaid phone plans like mine are becoming more and more common.”

Phone number authentication for games isn’t a new practice, as games like Rainbow Six Siege and Dota 2 have managed to implement it flawlessly. Even Counter-Strike: Global Offensive made this a common practice, requiring players to create a Prime account, in order to combat hackers and smurfs. For the uninitiated, smurfs are generally high-ranking players, who create multiple accounts, and disrupt low-tier matches for amusement. Think of it like a burner phone. Requesting a mobile number, however, restricts the account to one. Unless you’re carrying around multiple SIM cards — a common practice in India.

Neither of these multiplayer games has asked for a postpaid mobile number, which paints Blizzard’s requirements in a bad light. It’ll be interesting to see how this fares in a market like India, where 9 out of 10 people on average have a prepaid number. Furthermore, it is unclear if the practice applies to everyone on PC, given that Modern Warfare 2 is available on both Steam and Battle.net.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches October 28, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. Digital pre-orders grant early access to the campaign segment, starting October 20.

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