WhileOverwatch 2’s lore-centered PVE mode is nowhere to be found, Blizzard seems content with creating small stories that have nothing to do with the canon world. This started as early as last Halloween when a sequel to the fan-favoriteJunkenstein’s RevengetitledWrath of The Bridewas released. The string of self-contained stories continues this May with the recently releasedStarwatchevent.
Heavily based on theStar Warsfranchise,Starwatchsees two factions - the Watcher Rebellion and the Infinite Empire - fight on a 4-point Assault map that is a heavily-modified Horizon Lunar Colony. It is the Watchers' job to secure all the capture points and rescue their ally 3CH-0 (a lore-specific Echo) from the Infinite Empire. The Infinite Empire, on the other hand, has to make use of preset defenses and prevent the Watchers from completing their objectives. While most players are content with duking it out on a new game mode, there is more toStarwatch’s lore than what is present inOverwatch 2.
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Starwatch Kicks Off With A Comic
To coincide with the launch ofStarwatchinOverwatch 2, Blizzard released a comic that preludes the events of the game mode. Created by Sam King and Claudia Aguirre,Starwatch: An Echo of Hopeis a comic that takes place in the palace of Prince Lucio. Apart from the lavish party the prince is holding on the main floors, the venue also plays host to a secret meeting between the Watcher Rebellion anda smuggling group led by Ashe. The meeting is cut short, however, by the arrival of the Infinite Empire. The Empire is under good authority that the party held by Lucio is a front for the Watchers' activities. Despite Lucio’s warning to the rebellion’s leader, Bonebreaker Doomfist, the Watchers are discovered by an enemy Bastion and have no choice but to fight the Infinite Empire.
While the Watchers have the initial upper hand thanks to a Gor’ibblo (Starwatch’s version of an alien Winston), they are eventually overwhelmed by the enemy’s numbers and are forced to retreat. To aid in their escape, 3CH-0 stays behind and gets captured by the Infinite Empire. Her sacrifice buys the Watchers just enough time to escape and gives her an opportunity to place a tracking device onto the ship that captured her.
Starwatch’s Story Is Far From Over
This is where theStarwatchgame mode begins,with 3CH-0 being capturedand the Watchers attempting to rescue her. Should the Watchers succeed, they take 3CH-0 with them and escape onboard their ship. If the Infinite Empire is successful in thwarting their advances, however, the Watchers are captured and join 3CH-0 in custody. Either way, the story ofStarwatchdoesn’t end with the game mode.
According to Blizzard, the number of times the Watchers and Infinite Empire win in the game mode will determine how the comic continues. This will undoubtedly release after the event ends and will either conclude the story ofStarwatchor give Blizzard a new universe on which to base itsOverwatch 2events around.Starwatchis already a good example ofOverwatch 2tying its battle passes around themed content, as it gives players more context to the cosmetics and provides the characters with more in-game banter. While it is no substitute for the canon lore, these bite-sized stories using establishedOverwatchcharacters can help satiate fans as they wait for the PVE campaign to release.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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