At the same time, it's an impressive showcase of modern motion controls, which allow players to dual-wield separate Joy-Cons to bash their opponents in real-time. A slew of unique fighters, each with their own moves and mechanics, further adds to the chaos of this 3D figh

Endwalker will feature two new job roles, though only one has been revealed so far. The Sage is a new healer-type that protects party members using barriers. While the other new role wasn't detailed, director Yoshida revealed that it would be a melee DPS class. Other additions in the new expansion include a higher level cap, new areas to explore, and a new tribe of Beastmen called the Arkasodara tribe of the Mata

Joanna Dark is a classic spy action hero who is fitted with all the necessary skills, determination, and equipment to save the world over and over again. Along with the black and blue suit, Dark rocks short but flaming red hair and a pair of pistols strapped to her

Of course, we had awesome women like Mei and Zarya amongst the cast, but there was D.Va, Tracer, and Widowmaker strutting their stuff alongside them. Overwatch was a real sticking point in our development as horny gamers, and a willingness to embrace sexuality in our games and view it as something to no longer be ashamed of. Overwatch was a stepping stone to this point, but a stone covered with the slippery moss of the mid ‘10s Whedonised feminism, where the best way to make a female character strong was to make her sexy too. Putting aside the smut, I was invested in some of the game’s queer ships for years, whether it be through tasteful fanart or brilliantly written fiction that understood these characters better than Blizzard ever will. Pharmercy till I die. You know Overwatch was something special because it made you care, and the relative indifference from Blizzard in the years since is almost upsetting.

Overwatch 2 Walkthrough’s corporate identity was clear to see through its diverse cast and clear attempts at inclusion, made worse by queer characters who were never given any strong narrative within the world itself. On the surface it was a bold statement, but dig any deeper, and you were left wanting so much more as Blizzard chased demographic approval. Its universe had so much potential for excellent stories and worthwhile sociopolitical commentary, but this clear ambition was brushed aside as the years went on in favour of recycled seasonal events and development of a sequel that is only now lumbering towards the finish line. I once looked up to Overwatch, but now I can’t help but view its failings and cynical business practices for what they really are. I still love so much about it, and the warm memories it brings to the forefront of my mind are clear proof that Blizzard struck gold with this one.

We also need to talk about loot boxes, since Overwatch was responsible for increasing their popularity outside the mobile space. Ultimate Team was already a thing, but Blizzard showcased how easily cosmetic items could be monetised through random packages of goodies earned by either levelling up or buying them outright. I had friends who would set aside entire evenings during seasonal events to grind for boxes, hoping that Blizzard would be kind enough to let a legendary skin fall into their laps. None of them were playing for fun, instead waiting for that brief hit of serotonin that comes with a rare drop. Or they could spend money, and as the profits have long shown, so many of us went and did just that.

Overwatch defined my first steps into adulthood. I was in my first year of university when it came out, and remember watching my flatmates jump into the beta as they hyped it up as the next big thing. I’d never played a Blizzard game before, and at the time it was an untouchable bastion of goodwill defined by countless classics. Not so much these days . This was its first new IP in decades, and it had all the ingredients to be a masterpiece.

Gamers may have rejoiced at the celebration of classic Mario Party a la Superstars , but some seem to have forgotten the charming showdown that was this Switch debut. With vibrant visuals, reworked gameplay, and fun new co-op features, this game stands out amidst a crowded pool of MP predecess

Redheads are stereotypically fiery and never afraid to be who they want to be. This is entirely the case for these badass video game girls. While some may associate having red hair with being angry or ferocious, many representations of such a hair color seem to have proven the stereotype wrong. After all, while some of the female characters in gaming serve the purpose of being the love interest, more women have risen in the ranks of success and are being represented in new, more powerful lig

It was the biggest shooter in the world for a long time. Blizzard eagerly celebrated new player milestones on social media, while seasonal events became an all-encompassing occasion in the shooter space before the days of battle passes and live service updates. It was both ahead of its time and constrained by the formula it existed within, as additional game modes introduced as part of big updates and quarterly events never lived up to the base experience it was built upon. Junkenstein’s Revenge, Overwatch Archives, and Winter Wonderland were great fun, but fighting against bullet sponge AI wasn’t what this game was about, and hoping to expand on this universe only served to highlight its shortcomings.