Overwatch 2’s Starwatch event is in full swing, with a new game mode, withStar Wars-inspired storylines, skins, and maps. Its framework is similar to events like Junkenstein’s Revenge, which uses existing heroes and maps and changes their appearances to fit a non-canonical story. There are other important features that Starwatch shares with Junkenstein’s Revenge that sets them apart from other events, too.
Starwatch launched on May 9, and players have until May 22 to enjoy its new game mode and rack up some out-of-this-world cosmetic items. The Starwatch game mode involves capturing or defending the four capture points inside a revamped Horizon Lunar Colony map. ThisOverwatch 2event also comes with nine challenges that let players get battle pass XP and cosmetic rewards. It even has a companion comic book that expands on the story further. Apart from new rewards, players are also treated to unique dialogue and interactions with the game’s heroes, just like in Junkenstein’s Revenge.
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Overwatch 2’s Starwatch Tells an Epic Adventure Through Its Dialogue
The new event reimagines the game’s heroes as players in an intergalactic conflict, a laStar Wars.Overwatch 2’s Starwatch has some deep lore, and fans can get their fill from the event’s companion comic cheekily named “Echo of Hope,” which is likely a reference to the firstStar Warsfilm:A New Hope. It gives some background into the character interactions in the game, as it tells the events that led to the game mode’s current story. However, those who just want to get in on the action can still get a good grasp of the plot through in-game dialogue.
The most interesting lines in theStarwatch PvPvE game modecome from the mercenaries who are torn between helping the Watcher rebels led by Bonebreaker (Doomfist) or keeping it cozy with the Infinite Empire of Emperor Sigma. Ashe, one of the mercs, will sometimes tell Bonebreaker that he shouldn’t think that her assistance in 3CH-O’s rescue is meant to help his cause. Doomfist then tells her that the Watchers will find a way to convince her to join.
The Watchers are mostly serious, with Bonebreaker Doomfist threatening Junkrat and Brigitte and expressing his disappointment at Prince Lucio for the events in the prequel comic. This faction also has dialogue that provides levity with Torbjorn and Winston, as they sometimes scream their names like a war cry at the start of the match on thereworked Horizon Lunar Colonymap.
The soldiers of the Empire, on the other hand, have almost cartoonishly nefarious voice lines. A memorable one is Mercy telling D.Va to be careful, as the “emperor’s brightest stars burn out quickly,” with the latter saying that at least she’ll burn the rebels down with her. Sigma himself has all the hallmarks of adangerous Sith lord, telling his subjects to strike down the rebels and to bow down before his grace.
How Junkenstein’s Revenge Made Starwatch Possible
Starwatch flips the script on some characters, turning canon heroes into villains, and vice versa. Blizzard has used this winning strategy before in events likeJunkenstein’s Revenge. It also featured excellent narration from Reinhardt, who sets up the story and describes the qualities of the heroes that players select. For example, if they pick Cassidy, Reinhardt will tell them that he’s a wandering gunslinger who’s looking for adventure.
The event’s selected heroes are also playing medieval-style characters in Junkenstein’s Revenge, which results in interesting interactions. A notable conversation involves the Swordsman (Genji) and the Viking (Torbjorn), wherein the former asks the latter to repair their sword and armor after the battle. The Viking then tells him that as long as he survives the night, he’ll gladly do so.
It’s these small, but significant interactions and the refreshing non-canon storyline that made this event a hit. TheOverwatch 2team seems to be rehashing this formula for Starwatch, so hopefully Starwatch can replicate Junkenstein’s longevity.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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