Overwatch 2's Future PvE Missions and the Challenge of Including Illari

Ever since Overwatch 2 introduced playable story missions in Season 6, fans have been buzzing with speculation about the hero-shooter's future. While there was some controversy surrounding the price of Overwatch 2: Invasion, the overall reception has been positive. Although Blizzard hasn't provided a specific date for the return of PvE missions, a blog post from the game director clarified that it won't happen before 2024.

The lore within the Overwatch 2 universe is extensive, given the roster of 38 playable characters. The potential directions for future story missions seem almost limitless. However, if the game intends to incorporate its latest Support hero, Illari, several challenges lie ahead.

Illari May Face Challenges Finding Her Place in Overwatch 2

Illari's origin story was unveiled in a cinematic released on the PlayOverwatch channel in August. Viewers praised the visuals and animation, but it was the tragedy within the story that truly resonated. The cinematic revealed that Illari unintentionally caused the demise of all the Inti Warriors, showcasing the true extent of her formidable abilities.

While the backstory of the Peruvian hero is both unique and captivating, her cinematic is the first in the Overwatch franchise with no clear connections to other in-game characters. Recently, Blizzard disclosed the official ages of all heroes, confirming Illari as the youngest human on the roster at 18 years old. If Blizzard opts to include her in future Overwatch 2 PvE missions, they may struggle to explain how someone so young and inexperienced could become involved with the Overwatch Task Force.

One potential narrative avenue for writers to explore is reminiscent of Lucio's "Resistance" story set in Rio de Janeiro, where former members encountered him in his homeland. Perhaps an incident involving Talon or an Omnic threat could unfold in Peru, prompting Overwatch members to seek out Illari.

However, players may be more interested in witnessing the journey of multiple heroes introduced together. For instance, a Japanese mission could feature Hanzo, Genji and Kiriko. Alternatively, the Junkers, including Junker Queen, Roadhog and Junkrat, could be grouped together, while Symmetra and Lifeweaver share a history as former roommates at Vishkar. Numerous characters in Overwatch 2 are already interconnected, making it challenging to integrate Illari seamlessly.

Ultimately, it might be simpler for Blizzard to exclude Illari from the narrative entirely. While this may disappoint those who have grown attached to her lore, Blizzard could potentially explore her character development through other means. The recent Overwatch 2 animated miniseries and the ongoing release of comics and short stories offer alternative avenues for character exploration.

The question of how, or if, Blizzard will include the Support hero in a future PvE mode remains unanswered. While Illari is already making a significant impact on Overwatch 2's core gameplay due to her robust abilities, the developers must also consider her place within the game's universe. While her introduction has added a new layer of cultural diversity, it has also presented the challenge of integrating her into the existing Overwatch narrative.