Overwatch 2 beta is over. It has given us another chance at playing the highly anticipated sequel from Blizzard before it launches later in the year.
Blizzard allows players to try the PvP content before the full release of Overwatch 2. It’s now 5v5 rather than 6v6 in Overwatch with teams consisting of one tank, two damage and two support players.
We were overwhelmed by Overwatch 2 beta content so we created this comprehensive guide to help you find all the information you need.
Now we know there won’t ever be a third beta. Blizzard confirmed that there will not be any more public testing and that Overwatch 2 will use the feedback from those tests to improve its launch in October.
You can see everything in Overwatch 2 beta 2 while we wait for it to launch below.
Overwatch 2 beta: Cut to the chase
- What’s it? Your second chance to play Overwatch 2.
- When was that? July 28-July 18
- On what platform was it played? Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PS4
Overwatch 2 beta: Release date and platforms
Overwatch 2 beta was closed beta until July 18, and returned to play on June 28. It was available on both PC and consoles.
What was the duration of Overwatch 2 beta?
From June 28 to July 18, the second Overwatch 2 beta was launched. Players have a few weeks to test the new 5v5 format and the new heroes, maps and heroes.
Overwatch 1 had an extended beta and alpha period. Blizzard used feedback from players to make changes. Overwatch’s beta period ran from October 27, 2015 to January 21, 2016. The second beta was available from February 9 to May 9, just before the game’s May 24, 2015 release.
Similar testing was used for Overwatch 2. This gave players plenty of time to play the game.
Did Overwatch 2 beta launch on consoles?
Console players were invited to the Overwatch 2 beta for the first-ever time as part of a comprehensive test of the game’s crossplay capabilities. S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4. However, Nintendo Switch users were left out.
Blizzard talked about console players in a blog article (opens new tab) that covered the beta. He stated: “For this beta, our main objective is to test our consoles and cross-play capabilities, as we scale up our server testing slowly. We need to choose players based on their platform preference so we are launching a new opt in process that tracks platform preferences.
Overwatch 2 beta: new game modes
Overwatch 2 PvP beta featured a new game mode called “Push”. Although this was the first time that Push was available, it was revealed in 2019!
Push is essentially reverse Tug of war…with a robot. T.W.O. is the robot that lies in the middle of the map. Whom you are fighting for control. Your team can take control of T.W.O. The machine pushes a barricade towards your opponents’ spawn. If they control T.W.O. The robot will then push another barricade towards you spawn if they take control of T.W.O.
To control T.W.O. you must have more players than your opponents. You can lose control of T.W.O. The robot will quickly move to your barricade, and then push it towards your spawn. You will find checkpoints on the route that allow teams to access new spawn points so they can return to action quicker.
T.W.O. If you can push your opponent’s barricade to the endpoint of their side of the map, it’s a win-win situation (and vice versa). If the clock runs out, the barricade closest to their endpoint loses.
Here’s a video of the Overwatch League final last year, which shows this mode in action.
Overwatch 2 beta: characters
Overwatch 2 beta included all 32 Overwatch characters as well as new heroes, Sojourn and Junker queen.
Overwatch 2 has moved from 6v6 into 5v5, and Blizzard has modified every character’s damage, health regen and health pool. Blizzard has also reworked some heroes, including Sombra and Doomfist as well as Bastion and Orisa.
Here’s a list of all heroes who will be joining Overwatch 2.
- Ana
- Ashe
- Baptiste
- Bastion
- Brigitte
- Cassidy
- D.VA
- Doomfist
- Echo
- Genji
- Hanzo
- Junker Queen
- Junkrat
- Lucio
- Mei
- Mercy
- Moira
- Orisa
- Pharah
- Reaper
- Reinhardt
- Roadhog
- Sigma
- Sojurn
- Soldier 76
- Sombra
- Symmetra
- Torbjorn
- Tracer
- Widowmaker
- Winston
- Wrecking ball
- Zarya
- Zenyatta
Overwatch 2 beta: New characters
Stay in the city
New hero Sojourn was revealed at BlizzCon 2019. She made her debut in the first Overwatch 2 beta.
Sojourn, the first Canadian hero of Overwatch, was also one of the original Overwatch members before it was disbanded. She is a well-known leader in the group, and was an overseer at the Storm Rising Archives event. She is now ready to join Overwatch, the newly formed organization, and face Talon.
Blizzard released the story trailer for the character before the beta was released:
Blizzard also provided detailed information on Sojourn’s kit. It looks great with plenty of mobility and damage.
- Railgun (Primary fire) –Rapid shooting projectiles that produce energy upon impact.
- Railgun (Secondary fire) – High impact shot that uses stored energy.
- Power Slide-Ground slide which can be used to cancel a high jump.
- Disruptor shot – Launch An energy shot that slows down and deals damage to its enemies
- Overclock (Ultimate). – Railgun Energy auto-charges for a brief duration and charges shots to pierce enemies.
You can see it all in action by checking out the latest Sojourn gameplay trailer.
Our Overwatch 2 Sojourn Guide has all the information you need about how to best use the character. If you’re looking for an advantage in the race, check it out.
Junker Queen
Junker Queen is a well-known Overwatch character. Her voice was first heard on the Junkertown map in 2017. She seems to be fed up with being on the PA, and is now ready to fight.
Junker Queen is an aggressive tank that can be brave and get into a brawl with her team. She can inflict a lot of damage on the enemy team by using Wound and Anti Healing abilities.
Here’s a short film about her and the places she comes from.
This deep dive by the development team provides a detailed look at her capabilities and what she can accomplish. It looks like she’ll be trouble for the enemy.
Overwatch 2 beta: maps
All maps from Overwatch 1 will make an appearance in Overwatch 2, except Assault maps.
Since the launch of Overwatch, Assault Maps have been a problem. They can snowball quickly, allowing one side to win an easy win, or make it more difficult to capture checkpoints over time.
The development team added Rio to the beta 2 beta. This new Hybrid map explores Lucios’ roots. It is very colorful and could be a fan favorite.
The second beta had a push focus, and there were two maps that could be used in that mode. Two other maps were added, the New York-based Midtown map (a Hybrid map) and the Monte Carlo-themed Circuit Royal Escort.
Overwatch 2 will not include every map in beta. Maps like Hollywood, Rialto and Numbani were all missing, but they will return in the future.
Here is a complete list of maps included in the beta.
Control
- Ilios
- Lijiang Tower
- Oasis
Escort
- Dorado
- Route 66
- Watchpoint: Gibraltar
- Circuit Royal
- Junkertown
Hybrid
- Eichenwalde
- King’s Row
- Midtown
- Rio
Push
- Toronto
- Rome
Maps are not returnable
- Hanamura
- Horizon Lunar Colony
- Paris
- Temple of Anubis
- Volskaya Industries
Overwatch 2 beta: Recommended specs
Overwatch 2 beta 2 was released on consoles but remained accessible for PC. Although some may be concerned that their computers won’t be able to handle the game, it is possible that the game doesn’t ask too much.
Blizzard has released the specifications for PvP beta in a post to the Battle.net website (opens new tab). Even the minimum requirements are quite low, so even the recommended specs are not very important.
It may be worthwhile to check the specs of an older computer that you don’t believe can play games. You might be surprised.
