Overwatch 2’s visible design and UI is leaving followers of the most recent Blizzard recreation feeling profoundly unhappy. Following a number of bouts of Overwatch 2 server downtime and quite a few bugs, together with one inflicting unintended retailer purchases, gamers who’ve truly been in a position to spend time with the multiplayer recreation appear to be of largely one thoughts – it’s enjoyable to play, however its presentation is simply… bland.
Blizzard made a large variety of Overwatch 2 adjustments going into its sequel, which have led to gamers feeling underwhelmed by its presentation. Gone are medals and participant playing cards on the finish of matches, gone is the ‘on fireplace’ mechanic that may mild up participant’s portraits when on a sizzling streak, gone are ranges and participant borders to indicate off your veterancy with the sport. Blizzard talked previous to launch about its choice to take away these – in lots of circumstances as a result of they felt they prompted elevated participant toxicity – however at what price have these adjustments come?
Each Twitter and the Overwatch 2 Reddit are flooded with posts lamenting lacking options, calling the sport’s UI a “stripped model of OW1,” or expressing varied points with its new UI design. One of the crucial frequent complaints is the end-of-round display screen, which gamers observe feels “low effort” with plain blue and pink colors that don’t match the default palette and don’t regulate along with your crew color settings the way in which the primary recreation did.
Others convey up the brand new scoreboard, which many really feel is complicated to learn at a look and awkward to have a look at mid-match due to its transient opening animation. It additionally feels considerably counter to Blizzard’s choice to take away medals and participant playing cards – if there’s concern round gamers flaming their teammates for ‘underperforming’ then a display screen highlighting all of your key stats in a match looks as if completely the fallacious transfer. Gamers additionally say they miss endorsing the enemy crew after a match, and I agree. Generally you actually do have handy it to them. One commenter notes, “It’s such an enormous morale increase to be recognised by enemies.”
The ‘on fireplace’ mechanic was a purely beauty bonus for performing effectively – your participant portrait would smoulder with flames, and also you’d often get a celebratory voiceline out of your character to match. Relatively bizarrely, the voice traces are nonetheless there, suggesting that the mechanic nonetheless exists behind the scenes. Followers say that they’re “hopeful” this implies the function may return – one remarks, “I didn’t anticipate ‘on fireplace’ to be one of many issues I miss most about OW1.” Even in matches the place issues aren’t all going your method, it may be good to have that suggestions that you just’ve popped off – particularly for courses like help the place that may typically be much less instantly apparent.
It’s removed from simply the UI that’s bothering gamers, as many are expressing disappointment in its character redesigns, particularly the brand new character portraits. The brand new-look artwork brings all of the characters into considerably comparable format – and does, in lots of circumstances, higher characterize their in-game fashions – but it surely’s lacking a sure persona and pizzazz. Junkrat specifically stands out: gone are the lacking hairs and charred visage in favour of a glamorous steampunk runway mannequin with completely preened hair. Additionally notably lacking in-game is Ana’s parrot, which seems to have flown the nest.
As for the in-game fashions, long-time idea artist and animator Tommy Millar took to Twitter to debate the brand new seems for the returning solid, remarking that “The common route right here seems to have been ‘extra busy, extra trivialities, extra sci-fi.’” Millar factors to redesigns reminiscent of Junkrat’s and Mei’s that take away from “worn storytelling” by eradicating visible data from their outfits and remarks that “For me, it solely subtracts from the basics.”
A number of the new legendary skins are coming underneath fireplace, too – the highest put up on the subreddit on the time of writing asks why most of the fanciest (and costliest) skins for the brand new Overwatch 2 heroes typically look much less thrilling than their defaults. Highlighted are Junker Queen’s legendary skins Wastelander and Circuit Breaker, which each give the Aussie tank a reasonably plain black outfit and hair colouring. As compared, her default look boasts spikes on her gauntlet, a enjoyable graphic design on a ripped crop prime, and her full-length pale blue mohawk. This has left gamers enjoying a guessing recreation of “which pores and skin is the legendary,” with many saying they’d have assumed the default pores and skin was the paid-for one by comparability.
Related remarks are made about help newcomer Kiriko’s Athleisure legendary pores and skin, which provides her a brand new coat as a substitute of her typical robes however solely barely alters the look of her leggings, with no visible adjustments in any respect to her footwear or any of her gear. There’s barely extra distinction in her Sukajan pores and skin – at the moment out there via Twitch drops – however nonetheless solely a minor change. Fortunately, her Hinotori pores and skin does boast a extra dramatic look akin to what followers have come to anticipate from legendary tier cosmetics, however you’ll want the premium battle go to get your fingers on it.
It’s necessary to emphasize that it’s not all doom and gloom – a number of upvoted posts and most of the feedback say they’re having fun with Overwatch 2 regardless of the problems. One thread says that the sport “is immensely enjoyable and the vast majority of its issues are correctable,” and that actually appears honest. If demand is there for these eliminated options, maybe they may make a return. Different customers have even begun sharing their very own enjoyable concepts for the way techniques reminiscent of a brand new finish recreation display screen may look. Gamers are, nevertheless, cautious in regards to the future – one feedback wryly, “They’re correctable, certain, however that doesn’t imply Blizzard will right them.
In the event you’re desirous to strive issues out for your self, our Overwatch 2 tier checklist and information to the Overwatch 2 meta at launch ought to show you how to discover your footing. We’ve additionally acquired an explainer for the Overwatch 2 aggressive ranks and a whole Overwatch 2 settings information. It’s not lengthy till the Overwatch 2 Halloween occasion begins – as one historically accountable for a number of the greatest outfits within the first recreation, hopefully that brings with it new seems that spark extra pleasure.