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Spooktacular Fun: Overwatch 2 brings back beloved tradition, the Halloween Event
Tradition since the beginning
Halloween Terror has been a staple of the Overwatch community since the title’s launch in 2016. Featuring exclusive horror and Halloween-themed cosmetics, as well as an exclusive PvE brawl known as Junkenstein’s Revenge, the event typically ran over the course of a month.
For the Overwatch community, it represents a breath of fresh air, with ‘fun’ becoming of the emphasis during this period, as opposed to the traditionally competitive nature of the game. Maps go through a Halloween redecoration and Overwatch heroes each receive a Halloween makeover in the form of seasonally appropriate skins.
Rolling it back with a Sequel
This year, appropriate considering Overwatch 2’s launch, the event received its own sequel, Junkenstein’s Revenge: Wrath of the Bride. The event will run from October 25th till November 8th (get in there!) Shorter than ever before, the event promises to be even more packed with achievements, collectibles, and cosmetics.
As opposed to previous years, where players would select from a limited number of heroes and face off against Dr. Junkenstein (Junkrat) and his creations, this year will see a new game mode befitting a sequel.
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Wrath of the Bride serves as a direct narrative sequel to the original, where now The Sleuth (Sojourn), The Butcher (Junker Queen), The Outlaw (Ashe), and The Fortune Teller (Kiriko) face off against the Bride of Junkenstein (Sombra). Grieving for her love’s death, Blizzard President Mike Ybarra has announced it to be a completely new game mode.
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Rewards, Cosmetics, Challenges and more
The game mode will feature escalating levels of difficulties, with varying achievements and rewards to be gained from completing each one. All rewards will be event specific, meaning do not miss out, as they are only available for a short time.
New characters Kiriko, Sojourn and Junker Queen were also set to receive new legendary Halloween skins. Furthermore, we are likely to see all the other heroes’ Halloween skins show up during this event in the store, with bundles already making themselves known on the store page.
Reaper will receive another legendary skin, in the form of Cursed Captain. A ghostly pirate skin that serves as an apology from Blizzard for the rocky launch of its sequel title. The Reaper skin will be available for free for anyone logging in between Oct 25th and the end of Season 1.
To the criticism of some, Winston’s Werewolf Skin will see a return, with some seeing it as Blizzard cutting corners on content. A skin from 2016, newcomers to the game can add it to their collection by watching any Overwatch 2 streamer for 6 hours (watch out for tags confirming drops!).
New Game Mode
The new game mode for Junkenstein’s Revenge is not returning alone, however. Bringing along old friends in the previous years’ game modes, this season of the Halloween Terror looks to rejuvenate the tradition.
Based on the teaser trailer for the annual event, it appears Ashe, Junker Queen, Sojourn and Kiriko will go up against the forces of Sombra, Winston and Symmetra, and their army of ‘Zomnics.’ With play spread across the Eichenwalde map, redecorated for the event, players will face new challenges this year, even a new creation of Junkenstein…
Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment