Summary
- Overwatch 2 should make every in-game event feel important, regardless of size or seriousness, by giving them more style and rewards.
- The April Fools event in Overwatch 2 should have its own official logo and bring more comprehensive rewards, like challenges for unlocking permanent cosmetic changes.
- Blizzard could bring the April Fools event in Overwatch 2 up to speed with other successful in-game events by adding addictive challenges and a wide range of themed rewards.
Seasonal in-game events are one of the most engaging aspects of Overwatch 2's post-launch life, with official seasons often being supplemented by annual introductions like Winter Wonderland and Halloween Terror. With how successful this element of the franchise has been, Blizzard should make it a priority to make every event feel important, regardless of size or seriousness.
Overwatch 2 is set to introduce some tongue-in-cheek patch notes for April Fools, but as things stand, a lot more could be done to bring this event up to speed with past limited experiences for the title. The April Fools patch is already drawing a lot of positive attention, and Blizzard would be smart to capitalize on this by giving the event more style and rewards when it eventually launches.
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Overwatch 2 Should Go All Out For April Fools
Overwatch 2 has implemented limited "Very Serious" April Fools patch notes numerous times over the years, often making humorous changes to heroes for experimental low-stakes gameplay. This year's April Fools patch appears to be no different, with every hero receiving a spate of tweaks for specific arcade playlists to create a much more chaotic experience than what Overwatch 2 usually provides.
While this can provide some hilarious and unique gameplay, the April Fools events of Overwatch have often flown under the radar in the past, primarily due to the lack of anticipation and reward that Blizzard creates around them. Most other events in Overwatch 2 come with a wide range of challenges for players to complete that bring rewards in the way of unique cosmetics, name cards, and player icons, but this is completely absent from April Fools' experiences.
While more information about this year's April Fools event for Overwatch 2 may release in the near future, it is currently expected that no challenges will be available for the experience.
In-game events have become a real point of pride for Overwatch 2 in recent months, with the larger-scale Winter Wonderland and Halloween Terror events bringing a lot of positive attention to the title in particular. Even more fleeting events like the recent LE SSERAFIM crossover came with rewards and associated cosmetic bundles, and it is time for Blizzard to finally extend this to April Fools.
Blizzard Already Has the Framework to Make April Fools More Engaging
Even something as small as giving the April Fools event its own official logo would do a lot to make the experience feel more official and enticing, encouraging more players to hop into Arcade and try it out. April Fools gameplay is indeed set to bring some cosmetic changes by giving heroes googly eyes in-game, and this is a fantastic starting point for more comprehensive rewards to be introduced to the mode this year.
For example, challenges tied to April Fools gameplay could see players work towards unlocking permanent googly eyes cosmetics for specific heroes, that can then be equipped outside the April Fools window of play. Unique charms, name cards, player icons, and even weapon skins would also be welcome rewards for potential April Fools challenges, giving players more reasons to engage with the event beyond a glance.
Overwatch 2's April Fools experiences are a fantastic break from the usual competitive gameplay of the title, and the recent success of other in-game events could easily extend to this year's April Fools. With an official logo, addictive challenges, and a wide range of themed rewards, Blizzard could bring April Fools up to speed with some of the best limited-time content that Overwatch 2 has produced.
Overwatch 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 77 /100 Critics Rec: 65%
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
