Overwatch 2’s visible design and UI is leaving followers of the newest Blizzard sport feeling profoundly unhappy. Following a number of bouts of Overwatch 2 server downtime and quite a few bugs, together with one inflicting unintended retailer purchases, gamers who’ve truly been in a position to spend time with the multiplayer sport appear to be of largely one thoughts – it’s enjoyable to play, however its presentation is simply… bland.
Blizzard made a large variety of Overwatch 2 modifications going into its sequel, which have led to gamers feeling underwhelmed by its presentation. Gone are medals and participant playing cards on the finish of matches, gone is the ‘on fireplace’ mechanic that may mild up participant’s portraits when on a sizzling streak, gone are ranges and participant borders to point out off your veterancy with the sport. Blizzard talked previous to launch about its resolution to take away these – in lots of instances as a result of they felt they brought on elevated participant toxicity – however at what value have these modifications come?
Each Twitter and the Overwatch 2 Reddit are flooded with posts lamenting lacking options, calling the sport’s UI a “stripped model of OW1,” or expressing varied points with its new UI design. Probably the most widespread complaints is the end-of-round display screen, which gamers be aware feels “low effort” with plain blue and purple colors that don’t match the default palette and don’t modify along with your staff color settings the best way the primary sport did.
Others carry up the brand new scoreboard, which many really feel is complicated to learn at a look and awkward to have a look at mid-match due to its temporary opening animation. It additionally feels considerably counter to Blizzard’s resolution to take away medals and participant playing cards – if there’s concern round gamers flaming their teammates for ‘underperforming’ then a display screen highlighting all of your key stats in a match looks like fully the incorrect transfer. Gamers additionally say they miss endorsing the enemy staff after a match, and I agree. Generally you actually do have handy it to them. One commenter notes, “It’s such an enormous morale increase to be recognised by enemies.”
The ‘on fireplace’ mechanic was a purely beauty bonus for performing properly – your participant portrait would smoulder with flames, and also you’d normally get a celebratory voiceline out of your character to match. Quite bizarrely, the voice strains are nonetheless there, suggesting that the mechanic nonetheless exists behind the scenes. Followers say that they’re “hopeful” this implies the characteristic might return – one remarks, “I didn’t count on ‘on fireplace’ to be one of many issues I miss most about OW1.” Even in matches the place issues aren’t all going your approach, it may be good to have that suggestions that you simply’ve popped off – particularly for lessons like help the place that may usually be much less instantly apparent.
It’s removed from simply the UI that’s bothering gamers, as many are expressing disappointment in its character redesigns, particularly the brand new character portraits. The brand new-look artwork brings all of the characters into considerably comparable format – and does, in lots of instances, higher characterize their in-game fashions – but it surely’s lacking a sure character and pizzazz. Junkrat specifically stands out: gone are the lacking hairs and charred visage in favour of a glamorous steampunk runway mannequin with completely preened hair. Additionally notably lacking in-game is Ana’s parrot, which seems to have flown the nest.
As for the in-game fashions, long-time idea artist and animator Tommy Millar took to Twitter to debate the brand new appears to be like for the returning forged, remarking that “The common course right here seems to have been ‘extra busy, extra trivia, extra sci-fi.’” Millar factors to redesigns corresponding to Junkrat’s and Mei’s that take away from “worn storytelling” by eradicating visible data from their outfits and remarks that “For me, it solely subtracts from the basics.”
A few of the new legendary skins are coming beneath fireplace, too – the highest submit on the subreddit on the time of writing asks why most of the fanciest (and most costly) skins for the brand new Overwatch 2 heroes usually look much less thrilling than their defaults. Highlighted are Junker Queen’s legendary skins Wastelander and Circuit Breaker, which each give the Aussie tank a reasonably plain black outfit and hair colouring. As compared, her default look boasts spikes on her gauntlet, a enjoyable graphic design on a ripped crop high, and her full-length pale blue mohawk. This has left gamers taking part in a guessing sport of “which pores and skin is the legendary,” with many saying they’d have assumed the default pores and skin was the paid-for one by comparability.
Comparable remarks are made about help newcomer Kiriko’s Athleisure legendary pores and skin, which provides her a brand new coat as an alternative of her standard robes however solely barely alters the look of her leggings, with no visible modifications in any respect to her footwear or any of her tools. There’s barely extra distinction in her Sukajan pores and skin – at the moment accessible by way of Twitch drops – however nonetheless solely a minor change. Fortunately, her Hinotori pores and skin does boast a extra dramatic look akin to what followers have come to count on from legendary tier cosmetics, however you’ll want the premium battle cross to get your fingers on it.
It’s vital to emphasize that it’s not all doom and gloom – a number of upvoted posts and most of the feedback say they’re having fun with Overwatch 2 regardless of the problems. One thread says that the sport “is immensely enjoyable and the vast majority of its issues are correctable,” and that definitely appears honest. If demand is there for these eliminated options, maybe they may make a return. Different customers have even begun sharing their very own enjoyable concepts for a way methods corresponding to a brand new finish sport display screen may look. Gamers are, nonetheless, cautious concerning the future – one feedback wryly, “They’re correctable, certain, however that doesn’t imply Blizzard will right them.
For those who’re wanting to attempt issues out for your self, our Overwatch 2 tier record and information to the Overwatch 2 meta at launch ought to assist you to discover your footing. We’ve additionally received an explainer for the Overwatch 2 aggressive ranks and a whole Overwatch 2 settings information. It’s not lengthy till the Overwatch 2 Halloween occasion begins – as one historically chargeable for among the greatest outfits within the first sport, hopefully that brings with it new appears to be like that spark extra pleasure.
