Ahead of Overwatch 2, a eulogy for the Overwatch I once knew

gamesradar.com:

Today we honor the life of Overwatch 1, a groundbreaking hero shooter that debuted in 2016, bringing a whole new flavor to the genre and trailblazing the live-service space. Overwatch was all about carefully crafted team compositions selected from an ever-expanding roster of free characters, but the October 4 release of Overwatch 2 means the end of that game, both literally and figuratively.

On that day, Overwatch 2 will not only replace the original game (after nearly 48 hours of downtime, as Overwatch 1 will shut down on October 2) but will also circumvent many of the features and gameplay aspects that made the game so unique and so special. While this may be just symptomatic of any game's sequel, and perhaps an exciting change for some (Blizzard's Jon Spector claimed in a recent roundtable interview that the team has "consistently received really positive feedback" on all of the changes), it's not ideal for many Overwatch fans. With just weeks left, it's time to give Overwatch 1 a proper eulogy. 

Overwatch 2's approach to new heroes is bad for both players and the game

Think back to when Overwatch 1 was first released on May 24, 2016. It charmed so many of us with its heart-on-its-sleeve energy, vibrant graphics, and uniquely specific heroes. The heroes' drastically different vibes and personalities spawned fan fiction both within the game's established (and colorful) canon and outside of it. Its rock-solid gameplay seemed to get better and better with each tweak, and while new heroes might upset its delicate balance, Blizzard was always there, working to right the ship. 

Players would eagerly await the announcement of new heroes that would be free for all of us to play, wondering how they'd fit into the current meta,