Overwatch's journey from lowest-rated to mixed reviews on Steam
Intelligence Summary
- Overwatch highlights the tension between strong sales, Krafton’s earn-out deals, and player expectations.
In brief
- Overwatch, formerly known as Overwatch 2, launched on Steam in 2023 and started out as the lowest-rated game on the platform.
- Since July 2026, the game has received mixed reviews, a significant improvement over its initial reception.
- Criticism remains over expensive microtransactions and the frustrating experience of playing with uncooperative teams.
GAME-scanner analysis
Overwatch’s launch on Steam in 2023 was a turbulent event. The game was immediately hit with a wave of negative reviews, earning the title of the lowest-rated game on the platform. That was notable given the strong reputation the franchise had built with its earlier entries. Much of the criticism focused on microtransactions and the overall gameplay experience, with players often unhappy about team coordination. Despite these challenges, Blizzard Entertainment has worked hard on improvements, leading to a shift toward mixed reviews in 2026. This shows the developer is making an effort to take community feedback seriously and improve the game.
What does this mean for players?
For players, it means there is hope for a better experience. The mixed reviews suggest that some of the issues have been addressed, although concerns about microtransactions and team dynamics are still there. Players who have a strong connection to the franchise may now consider giving Overwatch another chance, especially with the recent updates and changes that have been made.
Timeline
2023: Overwatch launches on Steam as the lowest-rated game.
2026-07-06: Overwatch has mixed reviews on Steam, marking an improvement over its earlier reception.