While Overwatch 2 has undoubtedly been a popular release since its recent launch on October 4, it remains that the game has had a cloud of controversy that has consistently hung over it. Be it the current similarities that the new release shares with the original Overwatch, or its new battle pass monetization system, there are certain elements of the game that have not gone down well with fans.
A main portion of the criticism stemming from Overwatch 2' s aforementioned battle pass system surrounds the fact that the best cosmetic skins in the game can no longer organically be unlocked without microtransactions. The upcoming PvE mode for Overwatch 2 could then kill two birds with one stone, setting the new title apart from its predecessor while also providing players with the opportunity to unlock more attractive in-game skins without the need for payment.
Overwatch 2's Upcoming PvE Mode
Despite being one of the most talked about elements of the title prior to its launch, the PvE mode of Overwatch 2 is currently not included in the title and is instead aiming for a release window of 2023. Boldly stepping out of the franchise's established confines of dedicated player-versus-player gameplay, the PvE mode for Overwatch 2 is set to provide a much more narrative experience, truly justifying the title's nature as a sequel to the massively popular 2016 shooter.
An online cooperative experience, Overwatch 2's PvE mode is set to provide players with periodically released missions, in which players fight against hordes of AI-controlled enemies throughout a linear experience. These missions will be the perfect opportunity for the game to expand upon the Overwatch lore, with different missions possessing a different roster of playable heroes that can then have their stories further forwarded and contextualized via the PvE campaign. To aid replayability and engagement, it is expected that these missions will offer challenges that reward players with attractive in-game items, and high-ranking skins could very well be a part of this.
Unlocking Skins in Overwatch 2's PvE Mode
With the current free-to-play nature of Overwatch 2, it is no wonder that Blizzard has moved away from its traditional organic lootbox unlock system in favor of paid seasonal battle passes, with the latter form of monetization being the growing norm in the video game industry. However, a downside of this change is inherently present in the older Overwatch fan base missing the ability to unlock high-end skins through natural gameplay, with the new system locking any overtly attractive cosmetic behind the in-game store or the battle pass itself.
This was recently shown to extend to seasonal events, with all the skins for Overwatch 2's recent Halloween Terror event being confined to the in-game store and not being earnable via challenges as was the case historically. With this, a fantastic opportunity is present in the game's upcoming PvE mode, in which Overwatch 2 can finally settle the controversy surrounding the lack of free high-end cosmetics, while also drawing engagement to its most ambitious gameplay element.
The missions of the PvE campaign will likely all have accompanying challenges tied to tangible rewards, and a smart move would be to include a legendary skin for each mission for completing all of the relevant challenges for that particular experience. This theoretical cosmetic could be tied directly to the story and lore of a given mission, while also providing a fantastic incentive for a huge portion of the title's player base to explore the PvE mode in thorough detail. Putting an end to the drama surrounding skin unlocks while increasing the hype around the upcoming PvE mode, introducing unlockable skins to the game's campaign would be a win for the Overwatch community and Blizzard alike.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.