On Oct. 4, 2022, “Overwatch” 2 was released to the world. Set two years after the original Overwatch title, the game quickly went on a steep decline from what it once was, leaving myself and many others worrying that the Overwatch franchise may be sunsetted, or shut down. That is, until Feb. 4, 2026, when Blizzard announced their plans for 2026, and with it would come big changes to how the game was played and the story within the game, instantly feeling the world with a feeling that Overwatch was back.
One of the biggest changes made to Overwatch is how the seasons work. Every major update, Blizzard would introduce a new theme, or season, to the game, and with each season came all sorts of new mechanics, skins, and even the occasional new character. The only real problem that I, and many other players, saw was that these seasons had no real tie in with the story of “Overwatch 2.” Sure, there would be an occasional lore drop, and all the new characters would have detailed backstories, but they never affected the big picture of the game and its story.
However, the new Overwatch’s seasons will tie into a bigger story. The first season of 2026, “Conquest,” is the first part of a grander story called “The Reign of Talon.” Talon, an in-game terrorist organization and one of Overwatch’s biggest threats to world peace, was led by Akande “Doomfist” Ogundimu, who wanted to cause conflict to strengthen the world. However, he soon found himself engaging in a violent confrontation with a woman named Marzia Bartalotti, Talon’s rightful heiress who fights under the name “Vendetta.” The brawl ended with Vendetta throwing Doomfist out of the window of Talon’s headquarters, potentially killing Doomfist and ensuring her spot as their new leader and bringing forth a new era of chaos. The animation for the fight, titled “Reign of Talon” was animated perfectly to show Vendetta’s story and the fight itself, and it served as a great pilot to what 2026 would be about- Vendetta starting her new empire.
Another thing that I think is revitalizing “Overwatch” are the playable characters. In the past, Blizzard would only add three new heroes each year, and despite offering unique playstyles, they often had next to nothing to do with the overall story. However, each new season will have a new character, and they will all help move the story forward. Conquest brings five new characters off the bat- Domina, a Talon-hired negotiator who has a long-ranged beam, Emre, a fast-paced ex-Overwatch member who is corrupted by a mysterious AI, Mizuki, a healer who is torn between Talon and Overwatch, Anran, a close-ranged fighter and college graduate who uses fire to attack and, along with her water-based brother Wuyang, use their elemental powers to help Overwatch, and Jetpack Cat, a stray that was placed in a jetpack with a tractor beam that can really mix things up in a fight. I know I have found a new favorite character in Anran, who works well with my up-close-and-personal approach to fighting in competitive games, and her flames and her speed can make her a menace in brawls. With this diverse blend of new characters, as well as the five others to come as the year progresses, I am excited to not only see how they affect the story, but also the ways they affect how the game is played.
As these changes and more come to “Overwatch,” I have seen players from far and wide jumping back into the game, to the point that “Overwatch” has seen a higher player count in the second week of Conquest than at the start of the season, marking the first time since the game was released back in 2022 that this has happened. Season 1: Conquest is active right now, and the next season should be releasing sometime in April, knowing Blizzard’s previous update schedule and how they intended on keeping it about the same. As I continue to watch the gaming giant return to form with a smile on my face, I know that whatever comes next, I will welcome it with open arms.