It has been a long, turbulent road for Overwatch on Steam. Since its arrival on Valve’s platform, the hero shooter has consistently languished in the "Overwhelmingly Negative" and "Mostly Negative" pits. Even game director Aaron Keller previously expressed uncertainty about what it would take to move the needle toward a positive score. Yet, in 2026, the tide has finally turned: the game’s overall and recent review ratings have officially shifted to "Mixed."

A Shift in Player Sentiment

While the game is no longer buried under a mountain of "Mostly Negative" feedback, it hasn't completely shed its controversial past. Critical reviews remain common, with players continuing to vent frustrations regarding performance, gameplay balance, and the game's aggressive microtransaction model—a point of contention that was recently reignited by a $100 cosmetic bundle.

One particularly memorable Steam review, written by a user with over 1,400 hours of playtime, describes their relationship with the game as a "toxic relationship that needs to end." Despite these lingering grievances, a new wave of players is actively pushing back against the consensus, citing a more rewarding experience this year.

Why Players Are Returning

The recent "Mixed" rating is largely driven by players who feel the game has found its footing again. Enthusiastic fans are pointing to specific gameplay and progression changes that have made the experience feel more like classic Overwatch. Key highlights from recent positive reviews include:

  • Improved Hero Kits: Players are finding the new character additions fun and well-designed.
  • Better Progression: The battle pass is being cited as a good value, with many players noting an increased opportunity to earn free cosmetics through loot boxes.
  • Quality Cosmetics: Even beyond the free rewards, players are expressing satisfaction with the quality of paid skins.

"In 2026, we finally got back to just Overwatch," one user wrote. Another player, who previously thought they would never leave a positive review again, noted that the current state of character development has actually brought them back into the fold.

Whether this momentum can push the game toward a predominantly positive rating remains to be seen. However, with news that an Uncharted 3 co-director and The Dragon Prince co-creator has joined the team, there is renewed speculation about the long-awaited prospect of an animated show. For now, Overwatch has at least managed to escape its status as one of the most maligned titles on the Steam storefront.