The Overwatch sequence has fumbled the bag just a few occasions since its 2016 debut, however one of the crucial confounding issues developer Blizzard has executed is just not lean into its storytelling prowess. Overwatch’s animated shorts have constantly supplied 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 obtained the animated mini-series Overwatch: Genesis earlier this yr, 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 in the beginning 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 definitely the correct folks for this job, however Mauga is a huge, usually bombastic tank. So when he begins going loud, your complete mission is put in jeopardy. Regardless of the difficulty he causes for the group, he manages to come back by for them ultimately. 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 hardly ever 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 character match for everybody, however now we all know he’s succesful, regardless of showing like a little bit of an oddball.
Try the complete quick under:
In contrast to different animated shorts, A Good Day makes use of a 2D artwork type evocative of a extra fashionable model of G.I. Joe as a substitute of the Pixar-style 3D animation seen in Sojourn’s Calling quick. In the event you’d requested me just a few years in the past, I’d’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 unbelievable tales that merely can’t be informed all through the course of its PvP gameplay. They’ve turn out to be an important a part of the franchise, a lot in order that their reveals are sometimes hyped-up and debuted at massive occasions like BlizzCon. . Overwatch might not be the cultural juggernaut it as soon as was, however the League of Legends sequence Arcane is proof that an amazing animated sequence can deliver 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 major car for storytelling. There have been rumors circulating about an Overwatch animated sequence in growth for years, however it’s unclear if that is nonetheless taking place, has been scrapped, or was referring to Overwatch: Genesis.
Possibly I’m simply nonetheless bummed in regards to the state of Overwatch 2’s story missions so I’m on the lookout for one other car to look at 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 subsequent 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 so on. are all high-quality, and have given me loads 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, fairly than it present in perpetual limbo because it has for seven years.
Anyway, I’m gonna go rewatch A Good Day and shout at my laptop display about how Sombra’s unique plan to flee the ship after the mission goes unhealthy not is sensible after her rework.
