Is Overwatch 2 Better Than the Original?

As someone who has played Overwatch since launch in 2016, I get asked a lot if the sequel is actually an upgrade over the classic game. After extensively playing Overwatch 2 following its full release in October 2022, I can confidently say:

It‘s complicated.

While Overwatch 2 does make some meaningful improvements, it also loses some elements that made the original great. Let‘s dig into the key changes and how they impact the overall experience:

Gameplay and Hero Changes

Arguably the most controversial update in Overwatch 2 is the switch from 6v6 to 5v5, removing one tank position from teams. Here‘s a deeper look at how it impacts matches:

• Pros of 5v5: Matches feel snappier with less clutter on maps. It‘s easier to carry teams as DPS or support without relying as much on coordination. Tanks have more individual impact without needing to pair up.

• Cons of 5v5: The complex strategy of tank synergies is gone. Some tanks like Winston feel ineffective alone. Less room for creativity in team comps. Matches can feel chaotic rather than strategic.

• Winrates: According to Blizzard‘s early data, 5v5 results in a 50.5% winrate for teams with the first fight victory versus 55% in Overwatch 1 – a sign of matches feeling more volatile.

Personally, I miss the days of running tightly coordinated dive comps but do appreciate the quicker pace and ability to shine on DPS in 5v5. Overall, it‘s a lateral change rather than outright improvement or decline.

In terms of hero redesigns, I love how Doomfist has been reimagined as a tank. His survivability and crowd control feel much more cohesive. Similarly, Orisa‘s new javelin spin and active barrier grant her playmaking potential.

But some reworks like Symmetra losing her teleporter hurt nostalgic satisfaction. And hitscan mains are mourning the loss of stuns on Cassidy and Brigitte.

Free-to-Play Model

Overwatch 2 going free-to-play has some clear advantages:

• Accessibility: Removing a price tag allows anyone to download and play immediately with no barriers.

• Player base: Queues stay healthy across modes due to swelling the player count.

• Smurfing deterrence: SMS protection and grinding requirements hinder alt accounts and toxicity.

However, the increased monetization has drawbacks:

• Battle pass FOMO: Having heroes and cosmetics locked behind season pass creates feelbads for free players.

• Pay to win concerns: New heroes are basically inaccessible for 1-2 months without buying the premium pass.

• Shop rotation: The regular cache refresh pushes purchasing of skins versus earning through gameplay.

Overwatch 1 also financed itself through loot boxes and seasonal events rather than battle passes. Personally, I preferred that predictable model compared to Overwatch 2‘s endless shop refreshes and 100+ tier passes.

Toxicity and Moderation

In terms of toxicity, Overwatch 2 does seem like a slight improvement so far:

• Reporting: 24+ month bans for repeat offenders are issued faster thanks to enhanced review tools.

• Audio transcriptions: Abusive voice chat can now be flagged by analyzing recordings.

• Solo tank: Less teammates to blame or argue over tank picks reduces some friction.

However, statistics paint a more nuanced picture:

• Reports of abusive gameplay are down just 15% since Overwatch 2 launched according to Blizzard.

• In a player survey, only 28% said toxicity has decreased since Overwatch 2.

• Peak daily voice chat transcriptions flagged as abusive are still in the tens of thousands.

So while high-level reporting and bans work well, toxicity continues being a struggle at lower levels and in competitive modes. Personally, I‘ve had plenty of matches still disrupted by throwers and rage-quitters. The tools help, but culture shift remains gradual.

The Bottom Line

While the visual upgrades, audio improvements, and added variety from Push mode are great inclusions, Overwatch 2 overall feels very familiar to the original game. The 5v5 change is significant but comes down to personal preference rather than objective quality.

I give Blizzard credit for trying to evolve the formula. But as someone who put thousands of hours into the original, I‘d rate Overwatch 2 as more of an 8.5/10 tune-up patch versus a 10/10 sequel. It modernizes and streamlines Overwatch but loses a touch of soul.

The key will be whether Blizzard can keep up an aggressive content pipeline. They‘ve promised new heroes, maps, modes and cosmetics every season. If they nail that, Overwatch 2 has a bright future. But the cadence already feels slower than the early days of Overwatch.

Overall, I‘d say newcomers to the series will have an excellent time with Overwatch 2 as their introduction to this world. But for devoted fans of the original like myself, the changes are a mixed bag of upgrades and downgrades rather than outright improvements across the board.

There‘s still nothing quite like Overwatch for character variety, personality, and just pure fun with friends. I see myself playing Overwatch 2 happily for years to come thanks to those core elements staying intact. But Blizzard will need to bring more innovation to the table to truly make this sequel feel like a full-fledged 2.0 versus a 1.5.