As a long-time fan of both Overwatch and Cyberpunk, I can’t help but feel like Blizzard has been diving deep into my gaming past with the introduction of Hazard. This new tank hero seems to be a blend of Overwatch’s gameplay mechanics with the gritty, cybernetic aesthetics of Night City.
In Overwatch 2, each character is anticipated to draw inspiration from other franchises. For instance, Brigitte’s design mirrors that of a paladin, while Junkertown resembles the setting of the Mad Max universe.
More recently, OW2 unveiled their latest tank character, Hazard, who shares certain resemblances with a well-known franchise, though not The Witcher, which was created by CD Projekt Red.
Overwatch 2’s Hazard
Blizzard has been delving deeper into Hazard’s past, and whereas the cinematic trailer primarily highlighted his abilities, the latest backstory offers a clearer insight into this upcoming character and his group of ‘Phreaks.’
Discover the experiences of Hazard navigating through a fractured reality, and learn how things dramatically shifted once he discovered his destiny among the Phreaks.
Based on Hazard’s background, he joined the military at a younger age and unfortunately suffered severe limb loss in an incident during the Omnic Crisis. Over time, as the system proved unreliable for him, Hazard sought assistance from his gang of Phreaks, who assisted him in obtaining advanced modifications and improvements for his physical form.
If the system doesn’t offer assistance to the Phreaks regarding their issues, they might as well stand up and resist it instead.
But Isn’t That Just Cyberpunk?
Regarding the ‘cyberpunk’ theme, Sombra is arguably the most fitting Overwatch character, but it’s not hard to imagine Hazard thriving in Night City as well. Upon watching the motion comic, some fans have suggested that Hazard bears a resemblance to David Martinez from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
In Edgerunners, David often battles against established power structures, and along the way, he regularly upgrades his character, which unfortunately takes a toll on his mental health over time.
Despite appearing to be mentally sharp, Hazard’s affection for drug use gives him the air of a Night City merchandise, and the narrative also hints at his friends adopting a ‘punk’ lifestyle. To drive this point home, an omnic with a mohawk is portrayed performing in a rock concert.
Regarding the on-screen appearance of character Hazard, viewers have pointed out an intriguing similarity: like enhancements often seen in the cyberpunk genre, he sports ‘mantis claws’.
Chrome Up, Chooms
In due course, as Overwatch 2 draws inspiration from various genres, it was inevitable that a character modeled after the Cyberpunk style would appear. Whether more Phreak-like characters will be added to the game’s roster remains uncertain, but introducing this intriguing faction certainly enriches the world of Overwatch.
Presently, players can enjoy a variety of factions in Overwatch, including Talon, Shambali (also known as Zenyatta’s group), Null Sector, the Junkers, Ashe’s Deadlock Gang, the Vishkar Corporation (Symmetra’s faction), and the latest addition, the Phreaks.
Absolutely, there are individuals who don’t align with any particular faction, but what sets these groups apart is their dynamic nature. Members often shift alliances, contributing to a complex and intriguing narrative.
The fourteenth season of Overwatch 2 commences on December 10th, making it available to play on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as the Nintendo Switch.
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2024-11-21 23:42