During my recent visit to Blizzard Entertainment, I got a sneak peek of a new project in the Overwatch universe: Overwatch Rush. This upcoming game is a top-down multiplayer shooter designed for smartphones and tablets, developed by Blizzard’s team in Barcelona. It aims to bring the essence of Overwatch to mobile devices, making it easy and fun to play.
Though it shifts genres, Overwatch Rush keeps the familiar feel of the original game. The characters and many game mechanics are similar. The game is free-to-play and features intuitive touch controls. You have options like tap and hold buttons for abilities, a virtual stick for movement, and another for firing. You’ll find some auto-aim assistance, but mastering the basics is key to excelling.
The game’s initial hero roster includes fan favorites like Tracer, Reinhardt, and Mercy. Some heroes retain their original abilities, while others, like Mercy, have fresh twists. For instance, Mercy can now boost herself or allies with her Blessing ability. Her ultimate has also been revamped into a healing aura that affects nearby players.
As you play and repeat a hero, you unlock mastery levels that provide mods and talents. Mods give small boosts, like reduced ability cooldowns. Talents can change how abilities function, adding a layer of strategy. For example, Reinhardt’s Fire Strike can turn into a tornado that pulls enemies in. Matches are quick, lasting under five minutes, but you can adjust your loadout if things aren’t going well.
Players can engage in various game modes, including Control Point and the new Nano Grab. This mode challenges teams to collect tokens called Nanos while competing against each other. It adds an exciting risk-and-reward aspect to gameplay, as players drop their tokens when eliminated.
Although some are wary about whether Overwatch Rush can thrive independently from the main game, it promises enticing cosmetic rewards, reminiscent of Overwatch’s loot boxes. The game is still in development, but there’s a lot of curiosity around it. Will it attract a casual audience to Blizzard’s franchise? Only time will tell.
For more about Blizzard and their latest projects, check out their official site here.
