Overwatch is the best action game I've ever played.

Every hero in the game has a distinct playstyle to learn, explore and master, so it really feels like playing over 30 different games in one. Tired of one, switch to another. Then fall in love.

That's what happened with me. For me it was Brigitte. I started playing her nerfed version in Overwatch 1. At first the design felt insane to me, I couldn't find any merits in it (quite the opposite from her original design, I've been told). But then I figured it out, understood what is necessary to play her well and came to a surprising realization that this is a playstyle that appeals to me more than any other. I've never played a character for whom bravery and calculated risk taking were hard requirements to perform at all. She became my favorite character in gaming and the main reason to keep playing the game.

Having said that however, I enjoy a whole variety of other characters across all 3 roles and the more I play, the more my comfort roster expands. This variety shines through every aspect of the game. Not only letting you find something that really appeals to you specifically, but turning the tactical depth of the game into the veritable ocean that it is. Solid shooter skills and tactical sense will get you far, but there is just so much more to it. You not only get to enjoy the variety, you also have to deal with it in all its gorgeous complexity.

I think it really bears mentioning to support my opening statement just how solid the implementation of all that action is. Overwatch wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is if it didn't feel so right to play. Smooth, responsive, visceral, satisfying. No matter who you play, you really feel in their shoes. The disconnect is minimal. Every action, every movement feels natural, like you're performing it. This is not true for many many many other action games. After playing Overwatch combat in so many other games feels like an unfunny joke.

Another thing worth mentioning is just how insanely cool some of the things you can pool off. I'm not exaggerating when I say action movies and action packed cutscenes in other games lost a lot of their luster for me after I pulled stunts in Overwatch that felt way cooler than anything I've ever seen in an action cinematic. And I'm not trying to brag or claim some exceptional proficiency at the game, it's just how this game empowers you and rewards your sincere efforts.

Yet another aspect that makes Overwatch so compelling is one of the consequences of the variety of the playstyles. Some other hero shooters such as Apex Legends or Valorant while also can have very interesting mechanics and offer cool abilities, are indeed shooters. Gunplay is overwhelmingly dominant in them. Aim your gun well and you win. In Overwatch this balance is quite different and there are several heroes whose requirement for aim are so generous they're almost nonexistent. One shot up close, one shot from a distance, become literally invisible, become literally invulnerable. Dirty, creative, off-the-wall tactics are empowered and encouraged. This creates a very interesting environment for exploring questions like what is competence and what are the most effective tactics in a real time confrontation of force. There are no arbitrary rules on what's the best approach. There is only the question of your competence and how far you're willing to take it. There is a new "meta" every week, but nobody can stop you from defying it if you're good enough. As Overwatch content creator Awkward once said, there is no counter to being good.

When it comes to balance I think Overwatch is remarkably well balanced if you consider the scope of complexity, variety and amount of quirks it has. I think it's fair to say that most of your effort and skill will be fairly rewarded. I can't really go into more detail without making this review 10 times longer than it already is, but in spite of all the huge caveats that I'm painfully aware of, I stand by this broad assessment.

It's probably obvious by this point I see Overwatch as near perfect in spite of its various small flaws. Like, the Overwatch lore is just silly and I just don't know how one could take it seriously even while fully enjoying it. Or that the skins in the store are arguably overpriced. Or that the promised PvE mode was severely delayed and scoped down. None of these are tragedies in my opinion, they might be disappointing, but I don't think they diminish the incredible core value of the game. However Overwatch does have flaws that I think are very significant.

First of all, the map pool is not that big. And as much as I think the maps are lovely, they do get a little old after a while, and the insane perfectionism combined with questionable management of development resources leads to the game receiving a new map what feels like once per century. I think the game would only get better from a steady influx of variety rather than endless worshiping of the same set of places that are mostly built with the same classic 3 lane philosophy anyway. As good as they are.

But second and most important issue will rear its head in the "endgame" of Overwatch if you will. As nice everything I've described is, at some point you'd get a little weary of playing those same maps and modes in Quick Play. The various diversions in the Arcade will eventually stop feeling fresh as well. The only thing left to expand and enhance your experience is of course setting your course on actually getting good™ and joining the competitive ranks. People in comp take the game much more seriously and the game really comes alive, and if you love the game so will you. There is just one problem.

Matchmaking. Many members of the Overwatch cult like to repeat the "it's not your team, it's you" mantra, but then you catch them on a different day and they will concede the truth. The matchmaking is bad. It's abysmal. It's, I contend, straight up unfair. Which is kind of a big deal in a team-based game. Funnily enough, the same cultists will gladly repeat another mantra which is "if you're actually good enough, if you keep carrying, you will eventually reach your true rank". Which in their head somehow doesn't contradict the first. I'm all for taking responsibility for your performance, but taking it to the extreme of trying to sell others on the idea that your team doesn't matter in a team-based game is just ludicrous. Oh well, this isn't a lecture on rational reasoning, I'm trying to sell you on Overwatch for heaven's sake. The point is, matchmaking removes everything that's best in Overwatch and specifically in competitive Overwatch out of the game. And that's not speculation, and the best proof is not actually when you get braindead or griefing teammates (or even actual bots). No, it's actually when it's at its best. The best, fair games of comp are a m a z i n g. Overwatch at its best is unforgettable. But how often does it happen? Well, if I'm going to be very very generous, maybe 10% of the time? Do you like the idea of wasting 9 hours out of every 10 you play?

I do think Overwatch is an absolute jewel, a diamond in the rough, held back mostly by this one fatal flaw. My passion for playing it and playing Brigitte will probably burn bright for a long while. I can certainly recommend that you experience this game, especially now that the price for doing it is totally free. But unfortunately I can't recommend that you overlook that gigantic flaw and subject yourself to the abyssal lows of the lawless asylum that is competitive Overwatch for a chance to experience its absolute highs. That's a choice that you can only make yourseeeeEeəeEEEeEE∃⏙⋿ℰeə∄J O ᴉ N U S. J O ᴉ N T ʰ E ᐊ U ⌊ † . S ʰ ᐃ R E ᴉ N T ʰ E K O O ⌊ A ᴉ D. S H ᐃ R E ᴉ N T ʰ E S T Ø C K H Ø ⌊ M S ʎ N D R Ø M E. S H ∀ R E ᴉ N T H E S W ∃ E T P ᐃ ᴉ N. A R E ʎ O U ᐃ Ⅎ R ∀ ᴉ D ? S K ᴉ ⌊ ⌊ ᴉ S S U ∃ ⌊ M ∀ Ø

Overwatch is the best action game I've ever played. Every hero in the game has a distinct playstyle to learn, explore and master, so it really feels like playing over 30 different games in one. Tired of one, switch to another. Then fall in love. That's what happened with me. For me it was Brigitte. I started playing her nerfed version in Overwatch 1. At first the design felt insane to me, I couldn't find any merits in it (quite the opposite from her original design, I've been told). But then I figured it out, understood what is necessary to play her well and came to a surprising realization that this is a playstyle that appeals to me more than any other. I've never played a character for whom bravery and calculated risk taking were hard requirements to perform at all. She became my favorite character in gaming and the main reason to keep playing the game. Having said that however, I enjoy a whole variety of other characters across all 3 roles and the more I play, the more my comfort roster expands. This variety shines through every aspect of the game. Not only letting you find something that really appeals to you specifically, but turning the tactical depth of the game into the veritable ocean that it is. Solid shooter skills and tactical sense will get you far, but there is just so much more to it. You not only get to enjoy the variety, you also have to deal with it in all its gorgeous complexity. I think it really bears mentioning to support my opening statement just how solid the implementation of all that action is. Overwatch wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is if it didn't feel so right to play. Smooth, responsive, visceral, satisfying. No matter who you play, you really feel in their shoes. The disconnect is minimal. Every action, every movement feels natural, like you're performing it. This is not true for many many many other action games. After playing Overwatch combat in so many other games feels like an unfunny joke. Another thing worth mentioning is just how insanely cool some of the things you can pool off. I'm not exaggerating when I say action movies and action packed cutscenes in other games lost a lot of their luster for me after I pulled stunts in Overwatch that felt way cooler than anything I've ever seen in an action cinematic. And I'm not trying to brag or claim some exceptional proficiency at the game, it's just how this game empowers you and rewards your sincere efforts. Yet another aspect that makes Overwatch so compelling is one of the consequences of the variety of the playstyles. Some other hero shooters such as Apex Legends or Valorant while also can have very interesting mechanics and offer cool abilities, are indeed shooters. Gunplay is overwhelmingly dominant in them. Aim your gun well and you win. In Overwatch this balance is quite different and there are several heroes whose requirement for aim are so generous they're almost nonexistent. One shot up close, one shot from a distance, become literally invisible, become literally invulnerable. Dirty, creative, off-the-wall tactics are empowered and encouraged. This creates a very interesting environment for exploring questions like what is competence and what are the most effective tactics in a real time confrontation of force. There are no arbitrary rules on what's the best approach. There is only the question of your competence and how far you're willing to take it. There is a new "meta" every week, but nobody can stop you from defying it if you're good enough. As Overwatch content creator Awkward once said, there is no counter to being good. When it comes to balance I think Overwatch is remarkably well balanced if you consider the scope of complexity, variety and amount of quirks it has. I think it's fair to say that most of your effort and skill will be fairly rewarded. I can't really go into more detail without making this review 10 times longer than it already is, but in spite of all the huge caveats that I'm painfully aware of, I stand by this broad assessment. It's probably obvious by this point I see Overwatch as near perfect in spite of its various small flaws. Like, the Overwatch lore is just silly and I just don't know how one could take it seriously even while fully enjoying it. Or that the skins in the store are arguably overpriced. Or that the promised PvE mode was severely delayed and scoped down. None of these are tragedies in my opinion, they might be disappointing, but I don't think they diminish the incredible core value of the game. However Overwatch does have flaws that I think are very significant. First of all, the map pool is not that big. And as much as I think the maps are lovely, they do get a little old after a while, and the insane perfectionism combined with questionable management of development resources leads to the game receiving a new map what feels like once per century. I think the game would only get better from a steady influx of variety rather than endless worshiping of the same set of places that are mostly built with the same classic 3 lane philosophy anyway. As good as they are. But second and most important issue will rear its head in the "endgame" of Overwatch if you will. As nice everything I've described is, at some point you'd get a little weary of playing those same maps and modes in Quick Play. The various diversions in the Arcade will eventually stop feeling fresh as well. The only thing left to expand and enhance your experience is of course setting your course on actually getting good™ and joining the competitive ranks. People in comp take the game much more seriously and the game really comes alive, and if you love the game so will you. There is just one problem. Matchmaking. Many members of the Overwatch cult like to repeat the "it's not your team, it's you" mantra, but then you catch them on a different day and they will concede the truth. The matchmaking is bad. It's abysmal. It's, I contend, straight up unfair. Which is kind of a big deal in a team-based game. Funnily enough, the same cultists will gladly repeat another mantra which is "if you're actually good enough, if you keep carrying, you will eventually reach your true rank". Which in their head somehow doesn't contradict the first. I'm all for taking responsibility for your performance, but taking it to the extreme of trying to sell others on the idea that your team doesn't matter in a team-based game is just ludicrous. Oh well, this isn't a lecture on rational reasoning, I'm trying to sell you on Overwatch for heaven's sake. The point is, matchmaking removes everything that's best in Overwatch and specifically in competitive Overwatch out of the game. And that's not speculation, and the best proof is not actually when you get braindead or griefing teammates (or even actual bots). No, it's actually when it's at its best. The best, fair games of comp are a m a z i n g. Overwatch at its best is unforgettable. But how often does it happen? Well, if I'm going to be very very generous, maybe 10% of the time? Do you like the idea of wasting 9 hours out of every 10 you play? I do think Overwatch is an absolute jewel, a diamond in the rough, held back mostly by this one fatal flaw. My passion for playing it and playing Brigitte will probably burn bright for a long while. I can certainly recommend that you experience this game, especially now that the price for doing it is totally free. But unfortunately I can't recommend that you overlook that gigantic flaw and subject yourself to the abyssal lows of the lawless asylum that is competitive Overwatch for a chance to experience its absolute highs. That's a choice that you can only make yourseeeeEeəeEEEeEE∃⏙⋿ℰeə∄[spoiler]J O ᴉ N U S. J O ᴉ N T ʰ E ᐊ U ⌊ † . S ʰ ᐃ R E ᴉ N T ʰ E K O O ⌊ A ᴉ D. S H ᐃ R E ᴉ N T ʰ E S T Ø C K H Ø ⌊ M S ʎ N D R Ø M E. S H ∀ R E ᴉ N T H E S W ∃ E T P ᐃ ᴉ N. A R E ʎ O U ᐃ Ⅎ R ∀ ᴉ D ? S K ᴉ ⌊ ⌊ ᴉ S S U ∃ ⌊ M ∀ Ø[/spoiler]