But, as with many long-running flings, the spark softly dimmed.
A few games in at Blizzard HQ, it felt like 2016 all over again.
Blizzard is taking risks, bringing fresh energy and innovation to a series that desperately needs it.
And its unapologetically fun.
Naturally, I start the Perks preview with my main, Junkrat.
One of the Perks I unlocked made his grenades travel faster but reduced his ammo capacity by one.
It was chefs kiss.
Faster grenades meant my opponents, fellow playtesters and lovely journalists, had less time to dodge.
I didnt even notice the missing grenade.
It was subtle but impactful, giving me just enough of an edge.
The process is quick and painless, keeping the action flowing without feeling like youre stuck in a menu.
Next, I gave D.Va a shot.
My first Perk, Bunny Stomp, amps up her damage when recalling her mech.
Sounds great, right?
Except I kept forgetting to actually use it mid-fight (old habits, meet my stubborn brain).
Once you find Perk pathways that vibe with your playstyle, theyll eventually feel natural.
Yet when I first heard about Perks, I was skeptical.
A shop system where you buy Powers and Items to tweak and enhance your hero.
I had a few immediate favorites.
Soldier: 76 can basically get a mini-ult every time he uses Helix Rockets.
D.Va can turn into a mech-sized WWE wrestler, slamming the ground and dealing damage after boosting.
Its exactly the kind of nonsense I want in a mode like this.
Each match is a best-of-seven format with objectives like control, push, or clash.
But, and heres the kicker, youre locked into your hero for the whole match.
That scared me at first, but you know what?
Instead of constantly swapping heroes, its about adapting and mastering the hero youve chosen.
My upgrades gave me the tools to turn the tide.
Oh, and its a third-person mode.
That change is purely for Stadium, but wow, its a blast.
Plus, the wider perspective really helps cut down on the screen clutter during those crazy, chaotic moments.
Heads up: theres a fair amount of reading in this mode.
Any given tab in the Armory can have up to 30 icons to click through and read.
Its basically the Overwatch version of a Sears catalog.
For now, though, its a nice little breather between the action.
For years, balance and meta dominated the conversation.
Now, with Perks and Stadium Mode, the devs are leaning into experimentation.
Theyre still careful to avoid breaking the game, but theres a clear shift in tone.
Less about decimal-perfect balance, more about delivering moments that just feel…fun.
Overwatch 2 is swinging for the fences, Im excited to see if they are home runs.
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