Overwatch Season 1: Is it enough to relive the glory days?

Overwatch 2 is no more, as Blizzard has dropped the 2 altogether for an all-new rebrand. The game has gone back to just being Overwatch, and with the name change comes a complete refresh. The season – called Overwatch Season 1: Conquest – focuses on the theme of Talon’s rise to power. Overwatch 2 was not as favoured as the original Overwatch, but is the fresh start with Overwatch Season 1 enough to relive the golden years of Overwatch? 

Before we get into the Overwatch season 1 changes, let’s first take a look at the timeline of the Overwatch series. 

When Overwatch 2 was released, it faced negativity due to the dev team’s decision to scrap the planned PvE mode and the prices of in-game cosmetics. This was very different to Overwatch 1, which made obtaining skins very accessible if you put in the work and played consistently. For instance, I’ve been an Overwatch player since November 2016. I was able to collect a huge amount of Legendary skins simply by playing often. Loot boxes could also be bought back then, but spending real money wasn’t the only way to get your hands on the best cosmetics.

When Overwatch 2 released, I ended up spending stupid amounts of money to get skins that would have once been obtainable by just playing the game. Yes, Overwatch 2 was now free to play, but charging players upwards of $50 for skins borders on the ludicrous, especially considering the game’s previous structure. Of course, you don’t have to spend money. However, for those of us who have been around since Overwatch’s beginnings, and those used to the corporate cash grab design of free-to-play online games, it’s hard not to succumb to the temptation of spending your money. 

The new rebranding of Overwatch isn’t changing the monetisation elements hugely, as the game is still free to play. However, the changes Overwatch 2 made throughout its life have made the game more viable in the long run, such as the new Perks system and the Stadium game mode. It doesn’t feel quite as bad spending money on the game because of this content, and the new and improved Overwatch seems to be focusing on doing even more for the player to at least try and justify some of those skin prices. 

The Overwatch Season 1 update has brought about plenty of changes to the game’s structure, with promises of more to come to solidify the game’s future. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable changes. 

The biggest surprise with the reveal of Overwatch Season 1 in the Overwatch 2026 Spotlight video was that there would be five new heroes playable immediately when the season dropped.  The new heroes are:

One element of Overwatch that fans have been craving for years is more narrative content. With the reveal of Overwatch Season 1, a new cinematic was released called “Reign of Talon”. The cinematic sets up where we are in the story at the time of Overwatch Season 1. Set 10 years after the Blackwatch Retribution missions, Vendetta – daughter of the former Talon leader – takes down Doomfist and forcibly takes over her father’s criminal organisation. Doomfist is presumed dead. Vendetta reigns over Talon, and it is later confirmed that Widowmaker, Sombra and Reaper are no longer Talon operatives. 

The narrative significance can be felt in the game, too, such as the Colosseo and Rialto now donning Talon banners. The Overwatch story arcs have become an integral part of the game rather than an afterthought. Faction campaigns are also now available, which allows players to pick a side – Talon or Overwatch – and complete missions to earn rewards relating to their faction. 

Overwatch will now focus on structuring seasons around the lore, with new heroes becoming more common. Loot Boxes are also making a return, as they can be earned more easily and more often. There are also plenty of changes to certain hero abilities. Be sure to check out the most recent Overwatch Season 1 patch notes for more information on all the changes. 

So, are these changes really enough to bring back the golden days of early Overwatch? Honestly, I don’t think so, but it’s as close as it’s going to get. Blizzard managed to capture lightning in a bottle when they released Overwatch. It was hailed as one of the best games of 2016, and there is no doubt that without it, we wouldn’t have other hero shooters such as VALORANT or Marvel Rivals. 

That being said, the hero shooter genre has become oversaturated since 2016. It’s hard for any game to truly stand out among the masses, even a game like Overwatch, which was an OG. However, I do think Overwatch will continue its comeback thanks to the Season 1 changes. The game has already seen a huge return of its player base. I myself have played Overwatch more in the last week than I have in months. Can the game go back to how it was in 2016? No. Can it brush off the controversies of Overwatch 2 and maintain an established player base? If it continues as strongly as it has with Season 1, then yes, it most certainly can.