The Overwatch sequence has fumbled the bag a number of instances since its 2016 debut, however one of the confounding issues developer Blizzard has performed will not be lean into its storytelling prowess. Overwatch’s animated shorts have constantly offered heartwarming, usually poignant tales that weave collectively its large solid of heroes, however we’ve by no means gotten a full-blown present out of it. Positive, we received the animated mini-series Overwatch: Genesis earlier this 12 months, however what these characters deserve is a full sequence that tells a prolonged story on this world. Blizzard launched a brand new animated quick to commemorate new tank hero Mauga’s launch at first of season 8, and all I might take into consideration was how Blizzard and Netflix ought to have been cooking one thing up like this years in the past.
The quick is named A Good Day and stars villains Reaper, Doomfist, Sombra, and Mauga as they infiltrate an enemy ship in what was alleged to be a quiet heist. Sombra and Reaper function in stealth and shadow, so that they have been actually the fitting individuals for this job, however Mauga is a big, usually bombastic tank. So when he begins going loud, the whole mission is put in jeopardy. Regardless of the difficulty he causes for the group, he manages to return by for them in the long run. I suppose that’s why Doomfist retains him round.
I actually loved seeing this aspect of not solely Mauga, however Sombra and Reaper, as effectively. We don’t get a ton of lore following Talon, the antagonistic group within the Overwatch universe, so we not often see their workforce dynamics—one thing that we get a ton of in relation to the titular crew. Mauga has been an particularly enigmatic a part of Talon, as his boisterous nature is so completely different from the broodier members of the group. After watching A Good Day, it appears he’s not a persona match for everybody, however now we all know he’s succesful, regardless of showing like a little bit of an oddball.
Take a look at the total quick beneath:
In contrast to different animated shorts, A Good Day makes use of a 2D artwork model evocative of a extra fashionable model of G.I. Joe as an alternative of the Pixar-style 3D animation seen in Sojourn’s Calling quick. In case you’d requested me a number of years in the past, I might’ve mentioned I needed a full-blown sequence that’s animated like Blizzard’s 3D cinematics, however A Good Day and Genesis have greater than satisfied me an Overwatch sequence might thrive in 2D animation. It’s clear the fabric and expertise are there, so I ponder what has saved Blizzard from capitalizing on it.
Overwatch leans on its animated shorts to inform unimaginable tales that merely can’t be instructed all through the course of its PvP gameplay. They’ve change into an important a part of the franchise, a lot in order that their reveals are sometimes hyped-up and debuted at large occasions like BlizzCon. . Overwatch is probably not the cultural juggernaut it as soon as was, however the League of Legends sequence Arcane is proof that an important animated sequence can carry new followers into the fold. A TV present can encourage fervor with a a lot shorter barrier to entry than the novels, comics, and quick tales Overwatch has used as its main automobile for storytelling. There have been rumors circulating about an Overwatch animated sequence in growth for years, nevertheless it’s unclear if that is nonetheless occurring, has been scrapped, or was referring to Overwatch: Genesis.
Perhaps I’m simply nonetheless bummed in regards to the state of Overwatch 2’s story missions so I’m searching for one other automobile to observe this story unfold. Blizzard has gutted its initially promised PvE mode, and whereas the primary set of story missions have their moments, the studio hasn’t mentioned a phrase about when (or if) the following set of missions will come. From the sound of it, Blizzard goes to roll out story missions at a glacial tempo, in order an Overwatch lore sicko, I’m greedy at any straws I see for proof that the narrative nonetheless issues to the workforce behind the sport..
I don’t wish to be too dismissive, as shorts like A Good Day and the comics, novels, and many others. are all high-quality, and have given me a number of backstory to chew on. However Overwatch 2’s story missions have clearly taken a backseat (regardless of being a promoting level of the sequel when it was first revealed in 2019) so it’d be nice to get extra content material that strikes Overwatch’s story ahead, reasonably than it current in perpetual limbo because it has for seven years.
Anyway, I’m gonna go rewatch A Good Day and shout at my pc display screen about how Sombra’s authentic plan to flee the ship after the mission goes dangerous now not is sensible after her rework.