A Review of Overwatch

First things first, Overwatch is a quality game. There are issues with balancing, in regards to both maps and characters, and the level of toxicity seems to be rising (something that can't be avoided with massively popular online multiplayer titles) but Overwatch is a game that is being championed. Rightly so.

It is rare to see a high budget, new I.P. from a distinguished studio that's been crafted. It wasn't rushed, or pushed out for a deadline. It isn't gimmicky, even though it appeared to be initially. It plays like an old-school PC FPS, but has brought the genre to modern audiences. It's ironic how the hugely successful Dota 2, created by Valve, originated from Blizzard's Warcraft 3 as Overwatch clearly takes inspiration from Valve's early multiplayer shooters; Team Fortress being the obvious comparison. It's nice to see the nods to those other games, especially with character design. Roadhog is an obvious clone of The Butcher from Diablo (which Dota 2's Pudge is also based on), Tracer shares many similarities with Dota 2's Weaver, and Mercy is basically Team Fortress' medic.

The character design ranges from the fantastic to the terrible. In terms of gameplay, each character has a clear purpose and some are stronger than others. This is to be expected, Overwatch is brand new and it'll take time for the balance issues to work themselves out. Dota 2, League of Legends, and even Super Smash Bros. receive constant balance patches now, it is unreasonable to think Overwatch will be any different in terms of updated content.

Artistically, there are some high highs and low lows. The lowest of the lows is easily Reaper, who hearkens back to the 'edgy' character design of the early 2000s. It is reminiscent of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within or Shadow the Hedgehog; it's just shit. How a character called Reaper, with voice-lines like "If it lives, I can kill it" and "Die. Die. Die" got through design with a thumbs up is baffling; it's just shit. Almost everything else, however, is well rounded and polished.

It's hard not to recommend Overwatch. It is unlikely to dethrone Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter Strike (or even Smash Bros. or Street Fighter) at the top of the esports charts, but it is well worth your time and money.