Overwatch 2’s New Perks System: A Game-Changing Update – Try It Now

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In Season 15, Overwatch 2 is introducing a completely new Perks system – a significant gameplay overhaul that’s been touted as the most substantial since 2016. After experiencing it personally, I can confirm it lives up to the hype and is precisely what Overwatch has needed for quite some time.

Fundamentally, Overwatch’s main gameplay has long been considered inviolable. Although there have been substantial updates since its inception about a decade back, like the implementation of role locks and transition to 5v5, the intricate details of gameplay have been fine-tuned and balanced rather than undergoing drastic transformation.

The end product is a game that’s incredibly sleek and precisely calibrated following numerous substantial upgrades, yet it still offers a familiar experience that gamers encountered long time back.

For the very first time, Blizzard has ventured onto sacred turf with the introduction of a Perks system in Season 15. During some unfortunate matches during the Spotlight event, I had the chance to test it out, and it’s poised to bring about permanent, positive changes to Overwatch.

What are Perks?

In-game benefits, much like Ultimates, are acquired throughout a match, and you can earn them quicker based on your performance. However, unlike Ultimates that deplete after use, these persist throughout the game once unlocked. Additionally, at each instance, you’re offered two options to choose from.

Initially, you begin at level 1. As you accumulate a sufficient number of headshots or heal applications, you advance to level 2. At this point, you’ll be given the choice between two character-specific minor advantages, often taking the form of passive bonuses that enhance your existing skills.

Later on in the game, you’ll encounter two major advantages, each packing significant changes. For instance, they could fundamentally alter an ability or even introduce entirely new ones.

Overwatch will never be the same

This feature presents challenging, significant choices during combat scenarios, allowing you to either strategize against a pesky enemy troubling your team or focus on a gameplay style that aligns with your preferences.

In one of my games, I took on the role of Orisa, a Tank character who performs optimally in the forefront, advancing objectives and diverting attention away from the rest of the team. Her abilities essentially force you to decide between acting as a defensive barrier or a daring damage-inflicter.

Since our team suffered heavy losses, I picked the initial choice. The Minor Advantage granted an additional 100 health whenever I activated Fortify, while the Major substituted the Javelin Spin for a protective shield. This enabled me to fortify myself and protect the objective with enhanced durability, diverting a significant amount of pressure away from my teammates.

The tool provided not only a means for me to halt an imminent massacre, but it also prompted a complete shift in my gaming approach. If I desired a more offensive strategy, I could have minimized the overheating of her main weapon and gained access to a powerful Energy Javelin, perfect for dealing damage.

After countless hours of meticulously portraying the character, Perks provided a unique outlook and unearthed innovative methods for me to enhance my team’s value.

The future looks bright

For every character I tested, be it Bastion with his fresh self-healing feature or Torbjorn utilizing his level 3 turret, each set of perks enhances their innate abilities, prompting players to choose a distinct playstyle and commit wholeheartedly to it.

The most thrilling aspect is how drastically it alters the sequence of games. Earlier, one’s options were limited to improving play or substituting characters to alter the course of a match. Now, however, there’s always a secret weapon in hand, ensuring an element of surprise.

As the game nears its conclusion and players activate their Major Perks, the tense struggles to push the payload across the finish line become exhilaratingly intense. This final phase resembles the climactic battles in Dragon Ball Z, where tranquility gives way to an explosive display of Super Saiyan powers.

It’s clear that the community may need some time to adapt to such a massive transformation, as they have spent countless hours playing Overwatch. Suddenly encountering an entirely different array of choices during gameplay is like a tectonic shift in their gaming experience.

After spending nearly a decade immersed in the same gaming scenarios, it’s invigorating to see a fresh twist that could potentially revitalize the timeless gameplay we’ve all come to cherish. It’s heartening to witness other live service games transforming over time, and it bodes well for Overwatch that Blizzard is ready to embrace change too.

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2025-02-12 21:49