After Becoming the Worst User-Reviewed Game Ever on Steam, Overwatch 2’s Recent Reviews Jump to ‘Mixed’

Overwatch 2 Season 15 has breathed new life into the game, significantly improving player sentiment and marking a turning point from its previously disastrous reception on Steam. Nearly nine years after the original Overwatch's debut and two and a half years after Overwatch 2's launch, the game had plummeted to the ignominious title of "worst user-reviewed game on Steam" in August 2023. Criticism centered heavily on monetization practices following the controversial transition from a premium model to free-to-play, rendering the original game unplayable. Further controversies, including the cancellation of the highly anticipated PvE Hero mode, added fuel to the fire.

While the overall Steam rating remains "mostly negative," a recent shift towards "mixed" signifies progress. A remarkable 43% of the 5,325 user reviews submitted in the last 30 days were positive, a significant milestone given the game's overwhelmingly negative history on the platform. This positive swing is largely attributed to Season 15's sweeping changes. The update didn't just introduce new content; it fundamentally altered core gameplay with the addition of hero perks and the return of loot boxes.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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Positive player feedback reflects this shift. Reviews praise the update, with comments like, "They just released Overwatch 2," and "The recent update is what the game should always have been before corporate greed got in the way." Another player stated, "For once, I must come to Overwatch's defense and say they really have stepped up their game. Going back to what worked in Overwatch 1 while introducing new and fun mechanics." This positive sentiment even references the success of the competitive rival, Marvel Rivals, suggesting a renewed focus and commitment from Blizzard.

The emergence of Marvel Rivals, a hugely popular competitor boasting 40 million downloads since its December launch, has undeniably impacted Blizzard's approach. In an interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the intensified competition, describing the situation as "exciting" and praising Marvel Rivals for taking established ideas in "a different direction." However, Keller also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has forced Blizzard to adopt a bolder, less risk-averse strategy for Overwatch 2, stating, "this is no longer about playing it safe."

While it's premature to declare Overwatch's triumphant return, the impact of Season 15 is undeniable. Steam player numbers have nearly doubled, reaching peak concurrent players of 60,000. It's important to note that this data only reflects the Steam player base; total player numbers across all platforms (Battle.net, PlayStation, and Xbox) remain undisclosed. For comparison, Marvel Rivals recently boasted 305,816 peak concurrent players on Steam. The future of Overwatch 2 remains uncertain, but Season 15's success offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.