Overwatch 2 Steam reviews now at "Overwhelmingly Negative" amid premium content controversy

Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch 2, launched on Steam as part of a collaborative initiative with Valve, has ignited a storm of criticism from players. The game's debut aimed to attract a fresh audience, but the release has quickly devolved into a maelstrom of negative player reviews. Within the first day, over 6,000 user reviews flooded in, casting an initial "Mostly Negative" shadow on the title.

The outrage, however, has reached new heights with a staggering surge in reviews, now surpassing 100,000 and pushing the label to "Overwhelmingly Negative." The game's tumultuous journey from 5,000 to 100,000 reviews within a short span underscores the depth of discontent among players.

The negative reviews center around Blizzard's handling of Overwatch 2's development and monetization strategies. Players have voiced dismay over the transition to the sequel and the shelving of the promised PvE Hero mode. Criticism has also been directed at the introduction of premium content, such as the necessity to purchase a battle pass for access to new heroes and the selling of PvE missions.

Amidst the uproar, a surprising contrast emerges – Overwatch 2 is remarkably ranking as the seventh top seller on Steam by revenue. This apparent contradiction highlights the complex relationship between player sentiment and financial engagement. As Overwatch 2 grapples with this tumultuous launch, the future trajectory of the game's reputation and Blizzard's relationship with its player base remains uncertain.