Blizzard Cancels Overwatch 2's PvE Hero Mode... You Know, The Main Reason It Was A Sequel In The First Place

Back in 2019, part of the pitch to get Overwatch 2 over with the fans was that there would be a PvE Hero Mode, and in order to implement this (among some other improvements) they needed to build a whole new game. Fast forward to now, and that PvE Hero Mode is no more. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Blizzard can't even accidentally do something right.

The overall scope of what was promised for Overwatch 2 took a major hit today as Blizzard announced during their livestream that the PvE Hero Mode would not be coming to the game. The mode originally promised a narrative-driven multiplayer experience in which players could progress their heroes with a dedicated progression system and custom tuning for each hero in the shooter's PvE mode. Most of that is now gone, and replacing it will be story missions played in co-op mode. No tuning, no progression, just boring old co-op missions in small chunks.

Once again I find myself wondering why Overwatch 2 even exists. One of the major components used to justify the "2" in Overwatch just went into the trash. The same place Blizzard seems to be trying to dump all of its games these days.

Blizzard continues to under-deliver on projects, and all I can say at this point is good luck to those of you looking forward to Diablo 4. If you don't think some crazy monetization isn't in your demon-hunting future, you haven't been paying attention.

Oh, and there was also the release of the roadmap.

#Overwatch2: A Look Ahead ✨

Join us as we share more details about everything we have planned for 2023, including new events, PvE, new Heroes, new maps, & more.

👀 https://t.co/FEyTC2p7eL pic.twitter.com/lGd1uABbfN

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) May 16, 2023

I'm sure to some of you none of this will be a big deal, as the PvP is what you came to the game for, but for many, including in the Twitch chat and on Twitter, PvE was a big part of their excitement for the sequel. For a company like Blizz to pull the rug out from under its customers' feet is incredibly lazy. It's unfortunate that many who have invested time and money into Overwatch 2 won't be getting what they thought they were.

Make of it what you will, but this writer is glad he avoids Blizzard games these days.

Note: Activision Blizzard has been sued by California’s Civil Rights Department, alleging violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Equal Pay Act. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about the alleged violations within his company. These allegations have all been denied by Activision Blizzard and the company points to additional diversity and inclusion training as past examples of taking the accusations seriously at the time they were made.