It's certainly been a long time coming, but we're finally getting able to play Overwatch 2 - the game is out now, and you can play it yourself whenever you like.

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After the success of the first Overwatch, Blizzard has its work cut out to create another hit, but things are looking pretty positive. Here are all the details you need to know.

How to play Overwatch 2 for free

Overwatch 2 is completely free to play, so you can jump in really easily.

On PlayStation consoles, just navigate to the Store and search for "Overwatch 2" to download the relevant version and get playing. You can add it to your library on the web here.

On Xbox, the process is exactly the same. Add it to your library from the web here. 

On Switch, just open the eShop and search to get started. You can get it on the web here.

On PC, finally, you can download the game using Battle.net, right here.

Once you've downloaded and launched the game, you'll need to sign in with a Blizzard account, before getting started and actually playing.

Overwatch 2 release date

The PvP section of Overwatch 2 has already released, having come out on 4 October 2022, so there's no more waiting around for it.

The game underwent a major public beta test in May 2022, letting loads of players try it out, so it might even feel like it's been on the scene for a bit longer than it has.

Overwatch 2 platforms

Overwatch 2 is a game that Blizzard is aiming to get a lot of players for, so it makes sense that it's out on just about every major platform.

The game has released for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, as well as a Switch version. It has full cross-platform play and cross-progression so that you can play with your account on multiple devices without any issues.

Overwatch 2 seasonal structure

Overwatch 2 has moved to a familiar battle pass system, with seasonal updates and rewards for you to earn. It's therefore completely ditched loot boxes, which will be a welcome change for anyone who played the first game.

You can see the start of that roadmap above, and it confirms that new heroes and maps will periodically join as part of this ongoing live service structure.

Does Overwatch 2 replace Overwatch 1?

One interesting facet of Overwatch 2's release is that it's rung a death knell for the first Overwatch game, which has been replaced completely by the new game.

This brings over all your skins and unlocks, but also means there isn't be a way to play the old-school 6v6 versions of some of the original maps and modes, which may be disappointing to some. It also isn't what Blizzard initially said would happen, although it's explained the change.

It's basically all about ensuring that its players don't get split by the update, which is sensible, and if it means more servers full of players for Overwatch 2 then it's probably not a huge deal.

Overwatch 2 gameplay details and heroes

There are some sizeable changes launching with Overwatch 2 right from the off - the biggest one being that it's changing the entire game from a 6v6 multiplayer game to 5v5 one - reducing the number of possible team compositions and tightening up its maps.

This is going to be very interesting to gauge over time, but it'll certainly be a little unhelpful for clans, teams, and groups that are used to playing together. Still, if it results in a game that's easier to keep balanced, that might well be worth it.

There is a wide range of heroes available in Overwatch 2, including reworked or tweaked versions of every hero from the first game. There are three new additions, too - Sojourn, Kiriko and Junker Queen.

Sojourn is a soldier with a powerful railgun that's a bundle of fun to use, and her mixture of firepower and mobility could be potent in the right hands. Junker Queen seems to blend melee and ranged combat, and is in the tank class.

Kiriko, finally, is a highly mobile support character who can zip around the map in the hands of a skilled player.

Beyond that, Overwatch 2 doesn't look to reinvent the wheel, with team-based modes that are familiar, including objective capture modes, control-point pushing and more. The core of the game remains that fine balance between countering the abilities of enemy heroes and managing your own for maximum efficiency.

The full list of confirmed heroes for the game is as follows:

• Ana
• Ashe
• Baptiste
• Bastion
• Brigitte
• Cassidy
• D.VA
• Doomfist
• Echo
• Genji
• Hanzo
• Junker Queen
• Junkrat
• Kiriko
• Lucio
• Mei
• Mercy
• Moira
• Orisa 
• Pharah
• Reaper
• Reinhardt
• Roadhog
• Sigma
• Sojurn
• Soldier 76
• Sombra
• Symmetra
• Torbjorn
• Tracer
• Widowmaker
• Winston
• Wrecking Ball
• Zarya
• Zenyatta

We also know that, somewhere down the line, Blizzard is planning a full PvE co-op experience for Overwatch 2 that sees players team up against AI enemies, but this has now been decoupled from the PvP core of the game, which will come out first.

It's a welcome step that Blizzard has taken to ensure that the game doesn't take too long to come out, and since competitive multiplayer was the heart of the first game, it's reassuring that we're getting that section first for its sequel.