Overwatch | Xbox One

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​Blizzard’s first new IP in 17 years is finally upon us, but was it worth the wait? Does the finished product differ much from the build I played during the hands-on event in April? Despite some minor niggles and a severe lack of modes, the game achieves exactly what it sets out to do; have you play a fun, fluid game of team-based shooting.

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 by Rob      Holt

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​@acousticmagic

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Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
​Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Players: 1 - 12

Overwatch is a six-on-six shooter, where you and your chums (or strangers from around the globe) battle it out on twelve different maps, with three - currently, anyway - separate modes. You’ll be attacking capture points, defending capture points, or defending/attacking to move a payload through the map in Assault, Escort and Hybrid matches. If this sounds overly simplistic, fear not, for there are many levels of depth thanks to the wonderful roster of characters.

These characters are split into four classes: offence (fast moving characters that require you to get in up-close-and-personal), defence (what it says on the tin), tank (huge, hulking beasts ideal for protecting others) and support (characters with the power to heal or gift additional attributes to the rest of their team). The really wonderful thing about Overwatch is, not only do the characters feel different from class-to-class, but also within their separate classes too.

Attack characters such as Genji and Pharah differ wildly, not only in weaponry but in handling, speed of movement and desired intent. Genji is a ninja, and with that in mind you’ll be scurrying through the maps, running up walls and confusing the enemy with your speed, before launching the might of your sword or shuriken upon them. Pharah, on the other hand, boasts rocket launchers, a jet pack, and the ability to propel herself high into the air - a tactic well served in getting behind the enemy defences. Every character has been designed with a different style in mind, feeling wonderfully unique. The brilliance of this cannot be understated, and Blizzard should be ruddy proud of what they’ve achieved in this respect. ​

It’s in these vastly different characters where the depth of strategy comes. Will you be sneaking in behind the enemy with one of the aforementioned, or protecting your allies with tank character Reinhardt’s shield? Perhaps you’ll be using the higher ground to unleash Widowmaker’s sniping capabilities, or will you take on the unglamourous - but absolutely essential - role of healing the group with support characters like Mercy? There are so many options at your disposal, and the option to change character upon death means you can react to whatever situation your team is presented with. ​

Every map is crammed with small details, and a sumptuous colour palette - a true feast for the eyes.

Overwatch is a great looking game, the maps filled with a huge amount of detail and personality that'll have you coming back for more. The gorgeous falling Cherry Blossom petals in Hanamura, to the dimly lit streets of London’s King’s Row, to the post-festival atmosphere of Dorado - every map is crammed with small details and a sumptuous colour palette - a true feast for the eyes. The game moves along at a cracking pace, too, with no noticeable frame-drops. In addition, I’m yet to experience more than a few seconds of lag from my playtime; a real triumph considering my often abysmal internet!  The rock-solid performance provides another string to Blizzard’s bow.

​The sound design is another marvel; everything from the wonderful, amusing one-liners provided by the characters, to the rousing music as each match enters the dying stages. You get a sense of Blizzard’s sense of humour here, for instance when the resident Aussie, Junkrat, remarks post-death: “That’s a fine how’d ya do.” For those of you with a hatred for headsets, fear not - you don’t need to hear the commands/assistance of your chums as each character will voice their concerns - you’ll know to look out for life threatening turrets before you run into them, for instance. 

With all of this brilliance there has to be some dung, mind; the severe lack of modes on offer at launch is a huge misstep. In spite of all the wonderful strategy on offer in each character, or in the core gameplay itself, if you don’t have much to play then video games can get dull quickly. The disappointment is only added to when you consider how lacking in originality these modes actually are.

In its current state I can’t see myself playing Overwatch for a lengthy period of time, and I fear many others will get sick of the capture points and payload game types swiftly too, which is a real shame. There should be more maps, characters and hopefully modes coming in the future, but to pay full whack for a game so lacking in modes is disappointing. ​

​With this in mind I couldn’t help but feel what a waste of money the many animated shorts and comic book series have been. Have they enticed any players that wouldn’t have gotten the game prior? I’m not so sure. I’m left wondering why Blizzard haven’t created game modes with the origins of Overwatch in mind - could they have made scenario type modes that show off some story to give context to all the fighting? Take the Widowmaker short for instance; couldn’t they have tasked one team with taking out Zenyatta, and the other with protecting him with Tracer? This scenario mode would’ve been an excellent addition in my view, and something I think the game could really do with.

In conclusion, Overwatch is an addictive, fun, good looking experience that you’ll shovel down like a delicious meal. There’s no denying that the core gameplay is magnificent; let's just hope Blizzard give us some more game modes soon - if they do, we’re looking at a multiplayer classic (and I’ll add an extra point on, too!).

Pros

• Smooth, largely lag-free online experience
• Every character feels unique
• Graphics are gorgeous
• Silly sense of humour
• Sound effects and music are spot-on
• Beautiful, well designed maps
• Excellent, satisfying gameplay mechanics
• Rather addictive!

Cons
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• Not nearly enough modes
• The modes that are on offer aren’t original
• Complete lack of story-based content - why did Blizzard spend so much on short films and comics?

8/10