Welp, Blizzard is doing it. They’re releasing an Overwatch Classic that will revert Overwatch 2 to some of the old rulesets, hero kits, and more that have been patched out of the sequel since it launched in 2022. As Overwatch 2 has failed to deliver on Blizzard’s many promises for it since its announcement in 2019, fans are nostalgic for what the game used to be, so I suppose this is a goodwill gesture for folks who have felt disillusioned with the game over the past few years.
The Overwatch Classic event will run for three weeks starting tomorrow, November 12, and feature the game’s original roster with their original ability sets. This will also include a return to the 6v6 rule set, two-tank role queue player compositions, and the no-limit mode that lets you play whatever characters you want without any restriction. This will also bring some old maps like the two-point capture maps Hanamura, Temple of Anubis, and Volskaya Industries back into rotation. Check out the trailer below:
According to Blizzard’s blog post on the event, this is “separate” from the team’s broader 6v6 plans, as it will focus primarily on the original hero roster, rather than all the characters who have been added since. I didn’t start playing Overwatch until 2019, so some of this will be new to me, such as there being four roles instead of the current three. Some of the abilities seen in the trailer, like Symettra having six turrets, are things I only know by reputation, so this will be a way to fill a hole in my Overwatch experience.
Admittedly, I don’t think this does much for me, given that my big problems with Overwatch 2 are largely about its failure to deliver things like the story missions and generate any plot momentum, rather than about pining for the Overwatch of old. But if this gives me a reason to play the game with some regularity over the next few weeks and brings friends who won’t play Overwatch 2 with me back, that’s a net win, I suppose.
Overwatch 2 is currently in its 13th season, which features a Halloween-themed battle pass and a Widowmaker mythic skin.