Classic Mode Highlights Overwatch 2's Progress While Offering Valuable Lessons for Blizzard

Overwatch 2 is in an exciting phase, with the launch of Classic Mode bringing back the nostalgia of the original Overwatch, complete with its original heroes and their kits. Alongside this, the introduction of 6v6 tests and the upcoming Season 14 have the community buzzing.

However, Classic Mode has stood out, sparking lively debates about 5v5 versus 6v6 gameplay while highlighting how much the game has evolved. At the same time, it has revealed key insights that the developers can take to heart. Let’s dive into these details below.

Overwatch 2 Classic Mode: Blizzard's Growth & Key Lessons

Comparing Overwatch Classic to the current live version of Overwatch 2 reveals just how much the developers have refined the game. Heroes feel more polished, balanced, and playable.

Hoglander, your local hero, comes to save Overwatch classic! pic.twitter.com/5Ox9bttZs5

— NTMR Dirt (@DirtgamingY) November 13, 2024

For instance, D.Va is almost unplayable in Overwatch Classic due to her limited damage, lack of mobility while firing, and tendency to be an easy target for enemies, whereas her current iteration is one of the most oppressing tanks in the game.

Credit is certainly due to the developers for their efforts in enhancing balance and gameplay mechanics over the years. However, this progress comes with a caveat: while heroes have been balanced more effectively, some of the chaotic fun and high-impact moments that defined the original Overwatch experience seem to have been sacrificed.

The Unique Appeal of Classic Mode

For those who haven’t tried it, in Classic Mode, heroes feel more defined by their strengths and weaknesses. Bastion, for example, may be immobile in Sentry form, but the high damage output and self-repair ability create a compelling risk-reward dynamic.

This design allows heroes to excel in their roles, leading to dramatic plays and big moments (like hearing those rare "quintuple" or "sextuple" kill announcements that are almost non-existent in modern Overwatch 2).

During my own time in Classic Mode, I’ve experienced some of the most impactful moments in my Overwatch history. In just a few days, Classic Mode delivered the kind of memorable plays I’ve encountered only sparingly over years of Overwatch 2 gameplay.

Balancing Fun and Longevity

While the unbalanced nature of Classic Mode is undeniably fun, it’s also clear that this type of gameplay wouldn’t sustain the game in the long run. The double-edged sword is apparent: Blizzard’s quest for balance in Overwatch 2 has created a more structured and fair experience but has also diminished the exhilarating chaos that once defined the franchise.

The removal of the second tank, the overpowering strength of supports, and the diminished impact of DPS roles are all examples of how balance adjustments have inadvertently sapped some of the magic from the game.

Players often crave excitement and standout moments more than perfect balance, and this is something Blizzard should consider moving forward. That doesn't mean don't balance, but perhaps not everything should be a numbers or stats game.

Lessons for the Future

Classic Mode isn’t the superior version of Overwatch - it’s more of a nostalgic reminder of where the game began and how far it has come. But it also highlights elements that many players miss: the high-stakes fun and big-impact plays that are harder to find in Overwatch 2.

Blizzard would do well to keep Classic Mode as a permanent option (though I wouldn't bet on it) and perhaps try to thoughtfully incorporate its best aspects into the current game. If you haven’t tried Classic Mode yet, it’s live now - so go experience it for yourself.

And when you inevitably land that six-kill Dragon Blade, ask yourself when was the last time you felt that level of excitement in Overwatch 2? and whether that’s something you’d like to see return to the game’s core experience.