Single Player
No, we’re not saying that Overwatch needs some huge campaign with some sort of engaging story. Blizzard has done a great job already of conveying a story through the game’s official website and short videos. But a single player component that lets you play against the computer yet still earn meaningful rewards would be great.
It can be a challenge mode that gives you objectives against AI that has been dialed up a notch. This will allow for those who can’t find their friends or just want to enjoy Overwatch on their own for a bit to do so without worrying about wasting their time. For now, the only single player option is practice, and that gets you nothing. Sure you can still have fun, but the lack of progress or rewards makes it something to only play when needed (a need that rarely arises).
More gameplay options are always a good thing, so Blizzard dabbling in some challenging, but fun, single-player diversions would definitely be appreciated.
Revamp Rewards
We’ve written about this before, but Overwatch’s reward system needs some serious restructuring. The completely random nature of unlocks is something you’d expect in a free-to-play game, not a fully priced retail release. Having to grind for hours only to unlock something you have no use for is the worst. On top of that, forking up your hard-earned cash doesn’t make things any better. Loot boxes are still completely random, meaning you can easily drop $40 and not get the one item you’ve been desiring.
There are a few ways to approach this. One can be to allow players to unlock things only for the players they use, maybe through a system that allows for individual Hero leveling. Alternatively, there could be a store that allows you to purchase specific items. Since they’re all purely cosmetic, it wouldn’t be providing anyone an undue advantage, so there’s no harm being done there, and players can smile as they kill their buddies in their new duds. It would also remove the feeling of being cheated every time they open a box.
A Smoother Competitive Experience
Right now the Competitive side of Overwatch isn’t exactly the smoothest thing. Even though the game has been out for some time, the finer nuances are still being learned by a large portion of the player base. When you add that to the fact that golden weapons require a lot of play time as each character, you end up with matches that are full of anti-team players all running around as the same hero.
Some new features or mechanics that can help mitigate everyone’s need to play the same person all the time, as well as a means to school less skilled players would be more than welcome additions to Overwatch. A system that helps cultivate the competitive community while also not leading everyone to ignore Overwatch’s core concepts, would definitely help out in the long run.
Customization
Right now you can unlock skins, a few portraits, and some taunts. But why not dial it up a notch, Blizzard? Customization is a great way to keep players engaged. We’re not saying that Overwatch needs hats (we think it’s borrowed enough from Team Fortress 2 already), but some accessories, color switches, special portraits, and more skins are always a good thing.
If combined with a new reward system like suggested earlier, Blizzard wouldn’t have to worry about players unlocking the few things they want and then growing bored. This could create the opportunity for cross Hero customizations. Color patterns don’t have to be tied immediately to one player, so them being a random reward may not seem so harsh. The same can be said about accessories. I mean, anybody can wear a wig, right? Just picture Bastion with a shocking pink wig and tell me you don’t want that right now. Exactly.
Daily Quests
Daily Quests do two things for a game. The first is it keeps players coming back so they can check off the box and earn some rewards. Depending on how they’re handled they can even offer up ideas for new ways to play. A daily quest can be to capture an objective a certain way, or eliminate players in others. This constant drive to return each day helps to keep the community engaged and involved.
The second thing is that it’s a good way to provide currency to players who want to hit up the store. Overwatch lets you earn a bit, but at a drip feed, meaning a constant grind. Daily Quests can provide interesting challenges that reward you with just a little bit more, making all gameplay feel substantial as everything you do brings you closer to your goal.
Let us know how you’d like to see the game improve in the comments below.
