When Overwatch 2 launches, it will share its PvP with the original Overwatch game. This means that the sequel will have instant access to all of the existing maps and game modes on top of the new content that it is bringing to the table. But while this is true, Overwatch 2 will also be making some big changes to the PvP experience that fans of Blizzard's hero-shooter should keep in mind.
Perhaps the biggest change coming to the PvP in Overwatch 2 is the removal of Assault maps from Competitive Play. For the uninitiated, Assault maps in Overwatch are maps where one team has to defend two points and the other team has to take them over. Generally speaking, the first point is designed to be relatively easy for the attacking team to take over, whereas the second point is easier to defend.
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Since Overwatch introduced Competitive Play in 2016, the use of Assault maps has proven controversial. Most of the time, Assault map matches play out the same, with the defending team giving up the first point relatively fast and then holding the second point until the end of the match or close to it. This creates a scenario where the attacking team can become frustrated when trying to take over the second point.
The way Assault matches typically go have made them despised by some members of the community. While some fans don't mind Assault maps, others have criticized their inclusion in the game, especially in Competitive Play, and have asked Blizzard for their removal. It seems Blizzard is listening to fans who don't like Assault maps, as Overwatch 2 game director Jeff Kaplan confirmed that the sequel will be removing Assault maps from Competitive.
Kaplan didn't make the announcement during the Overwatch 2 BlizzCon 2021 presentation, but rather in various interviews that took place after the BlizzCon event. What this means is that Blizzard is effectively removing five maps from the Competitive Play rotation. The plus side to this is that those that don't like Assault maps won't have to play them anymore in Overwatch 2, whereas the downside is that this will mean less variety in Competitive Play than there would be otherwise. And for those that enjoy Competitive and like playing on these maps, it means that they will be inaccessible in that mode when the sequel drops.
These are the five Overwatch maps that will be removed from Competitive Play when Overwatch 2 launches:
- Hanamura
- Horizon Lunar Colony
- Paris
- Temple of Anubis
- Volskaya Industries
Out of those, Horizon Lunar Colony is quite easily the most despised, but fans may be genuinely sad to see Hanamura, Temple of Anubis, and Volskaya Industries get the boot. Their removal from Competitive Play could be a sign that Blizzard doesn't plan on adding any new Assault maps in Overwatch 2, though it should be stressed that has not been specified at the time of this writing. It's entirely possible that Blizzard will continue making Assault maps for use in Quick Play, though that almost seems like wasted effort if the maps can't be used in both Quick and Competitive Play.
The removal of Assault maps is going to have a mixed reaction from the community, but on the bright side, at least a new mode is being added to the mix. Overwatch 2 is adding the new Push PvP mode, which should also be featured in Competitive Play. In Push, both teams have to take control of a robot that moves in one direction or the other depending on which team has it. The objective is to push the opposing team to the end of the map, which should result in some interesting new gameplay strategies that players will have to employ.
So far, Blizzard has confirmed two Push maps for Overwatch 2 in the form of the Toronto and Rome maps. However, it's quite possible that some of the other maps revealed for Overwatch 2 will wind up being Push maps. The new Monte Carlo map is an Escort map and New York is a Hybrid map, but the Rio de Janeiro and Gothenburg maps have yet to be assigned. The India map has no designation either.
Any of those unassigned Overwatch 2 maps could wind up being Push maps, or maybe they could even be new Assault maps. If so, Overwatch 2 fans will have to play them in Quick Play, as Blizzard has made it clear that Assault maps will not be featured in Competitive Play when the new game launches.
In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if any additional Overwatch 2 maps are revealed between now and when the game launches. Blizzard has promised more frequent Overwatch 2 updates now that BlizzCon 2021 is over, so fans should expect new information to drop throughout the year. Blizzard stopped short of explaining what exactly this new information would entail, but Overwatch fans should have plenty to look forward to regardless.
Overwatch 2 is in development for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.