Hero shooters are wildly popular, but it’s been quite a while since I’ve genuinely explored any of the numerous options available today. Overwatch has always stood out in the hero shooter genre, initially piquing my interest a few years back with the announcement of a PvE Hero mode.
Sadly, that never fully materialized, causing me to shelve the idea entirely. Competitive, arena-only experiences haven’t really captivated me since Global Agenda faded into obscurity. Yet recently, after being unsuspectingly coaxed by a friend, I finally decided to give Overwatch a serious shot. After a dozen hours as a fresh-faced newbie, I’m now ready to answer the question: Is Overwatch worth picking up in 2025?
Initially, Overwatch didn’t appeal to me as a hero shooter. While I’ve enjoyed hero collector games in the past, Overwatch’s characters lacked the personal draw I found in games like Marvel Rivals, with its familiar, nostalgic roster. Given that Marvel Rivals recently launched, logic suggested starting there, especially with everyone being on equal footing. However, Overwatch’s enduring popularity ultimately drew me in.
What Overwatch Does Well
As a brand-new Overwatch player, I found myself predominantly experimenting in unranked matches, assessing different characters and playstyles. Usually gravitating towards healer archetypes, I was surprised to find myself frequently playing tanks, primarily due to their scarcity in casual matches.
The tank class provides a robust range of options, even though some clearly outshine others. I quickly became comfortable with Orisa, whose balanced kit, stuffed with middling invulnerability, self-healing, and significant damage, felt notably more powerful than dual gatlings from Mauga. Unfortunately, in some game modes, preferred characters aren’t always available, pushing me to diversify. Despite D.Va’s obvious dominance and popularity, I opted for Roadhog, a tank with considerable self-sustainability and damage output. Roadhog’s secondary healing ability, enhanced by perks, even heals teammates nearby, perfectly blending my tank and healer inclinations.
While no tank single-handedly wins every fight, Roadhog’s chain-hook ability frequently shifted momentum dramatically. Snatching a critical enemy healer from safety could unravel the opposition’s entire strategy, providing incredibly satisfying moments that highlighted Overwatch’s tactical depth.
Damage Control
When it came to damage-dealing heroes, I was immediately drawn to Genji, whose agile, ninja-like playstyle felt intuitive and exciting. Genji’s mobility, combined with his solid offensively balanced capabilities and defensive perks, particularly appealed to my natural hit-and-run approach to combat. With his second-tier perk allowing him to heal while deflecting enemy attacks, he can linger in shadows longer, carefully choosing the perfect moment to strike without constantly needing to return to a dedicated healer for support.
Each character has a distinct ultimate ability, charged up during play and ready to unleash for pivotal moments. Unlike some games, Overwatch’s ultimates rarely grant complete invulnerability; instead, they’re additional strategic tools. Genji’s ultimate exemplifies this perfectly, as he draws his sword and becomes a melee powerhouse, capable of swiftly eliminating foes up close. Timing this move correctly feels spectacular—miscalculate, however, and you’ll find yourself quickly overwhelmed and eliminated. This balance of high risk and reward makes Genji’s gameplay especially compelling and personally satisfying.
Not All Roses
Despite its initial accessibility, Overwatch does present challenges, notably character availability constraints. A friend consistently struggled to find viable healer options outside Mercy, leading to frustratingly imbalanced team compositions when she wasn’t selectable. Overwatch heavily encourages specializing in specific heroes, making enforced character switches particularly daunting and potentially discouraging for newer players.
Character balance issues also persist. Despite having over 40 characters, a handful of heroes consistently dominate match selections, pointing to lingering balance problems that can diminish gameplay diversity. Witnessing the same few heroes repeatedly, regardless of game mode, quickly grows stale.
Fortunately, Overwatch avoids “pay-to-win” pitfalls, offering purely cosmetic cash shop items instead. These cosmetics provide meaningful personalization, distinguishing dedicated players and adding a welcomed layer of identity to the experience. In addition, the game has some pretty cool collabs that may entice me to return, with the right intellectual property.
Moreover, certain game modes present unexpected hurdles for new players looking to team up. For example, newer competitive modes often restrict grouped play until all team members achieve their rank. This limitation, not immediately apparent, can frustrate newcomers eager to play with friends.
To Noob or Not to Noob
Despite minor grievances, Overwatch remains enjoyable and accessible, especially as a free-to-play title with cross-platform capabilities. Gameplay feels polished, and while not all heroes are beginner-friendly, many are intuitive enough to quickly grasp. Players seeking a casual, engaging hero shooter should definitely give Overwatch a try. However, those craving deep, balanced competition where skill surpasses meta dominance might need to manage their expectations—a challenge not unique to Overwatch.
Ultimately, Overwatch serves perfectly as a fun gaming “vacation spot,” a place I’ll revisit occasionally while searching for another virtual home capable of holding my interest longer than Roadhog’s satisfying hooks.
