Overwatch 2’s PVE has been announced but you’ll have to pay extra
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Blizzardhas finally announced some concrete plans forOverwatch 2’s PVE mode and while the story looks amazing, the content comes at a price.
Overwatch 2: Invasion sees new story missions, PVP core game mode, and a new support hero launch on August 10 2023. The PVE story missions will centre around Null Sector, the terrorist omnic group who are kidnapping their fellow robots for unknown purposes.
There’ll be two ways of accessingOverwatch 2: Invasion PVE content. Firstly, players can purchase the Invasion Bundle for $15/ £12 / AU$22. This bundle will provide access toOverwatch 2story missions, 1,000 Overwatch coins (that can be used to buy the Premium Battle Pass), a new Sojourn Legendary Skin, and permanent access to Sojourn for new players.
“The Overwatch 2: Invasion bundle is intended to give new and veteran players alike the opportunity to explore this brand-new story arc while giving them additional coins to unlock the Premium Battle Pass”, a Blizzardblog postsaid.
The second option involves players buying theOverwatch 2: Ultimate Invasion Bundle for $40/ £32/ AU$60. This far more expensive option gives players the Null Sector Premium Battle Pass with 20 level skips, an additional 1,000 coins (for a total of 2,000 coins), and two additional Legendary skins for Cassidy and Kiriko.
Not looking good
There’s been a lot of controversy surroundingifOverwatch 2is actually getting PVE, after executive producer Jared Neusstweetedout that Blizzard will be cutting Hero Mode and Talents earlier this year.
The reaction to this news alone was pretty abysmal. Many fans felt as if they had been lied to asOverwatch 2was largely marketed as having PVE which is what made it different from the firstOverwatch,and why Blizzard was able to charge more for what is essentially the same game.
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Since its beginningOverwatch 2has struggled with its payment system. As it opted for a more modern take on live service games, following titles such asCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2orFortnitein using a seasonal Battle Pass. At first this meant that all of the previously free content found inOverwatchcost players over $10,000 orwould take 327 years to obtain for freeby doing weekly challenges.
However, as the seasons have progressed Blizzard has been more generous and realistic with its Battle Pass options. While there still isn’t a way to buy the next Battle Pass with the coins found in your current one there is more valuable content that is worth the price.
Sadly,Overwatch 2: Invasions seems to break this trend. While you do get extra content including the PVE, skins, and the Battle Pass you’re effectively paying $5 extra for PVE content. This is a massive let down for fans who expected that PVE would be a playable part of the sequel by default. WhileOverwatch 2is a free-to-play game fans have been pouring money into the Battle Pass for five seasons now. Many of my friends have spent up to $50/ £40/ AU$74 for the Battle Pass alone thinking that this investment would secure them rights to the PVE that they were promised whenOverwatch 2was first announced.
I’ve never encountered a games studio that has made it so hard for me to like them. I want to appreciate all the hard work the devs have gone through, the fun and unique mechanics, and impressive lore, but I can’t do that if every other season fans are being blind-sided by cash grabs.
For nowOverwatch 2is on ourbest FPS gameslist, but in all honestly there’s plenty competitive First Person Shooters out there that are just as good without all the confusing rhetoric you’ll find inOverwatch 2.
Elie is a Features Writer for TechRadar Gaming, here to write about anything new or slightly weird. Before writing for TRG, Elie studied for a Masters at Cardiff University JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs or editing the gaming section for their student publications.
Elie’s first step into gaming was through Pokémon but they’ve taken the natural next step in the horror genre. Any and every game that would keep you up at night is on their list to play - despite the fact that one of Elie’s biggest fears is being chased.
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