Overwatch | Steam Reviews Plummet After Chinese Community Fallout
Edited By
Julia Forester
In early 2023, Overwatch faced a significant issue on Steam as reviews turned 8verwhelmingly negative following a review bomb from the Chinese gaming community. This surge of discontent arose after players lost access to the game due to fading partnerships between Blizzard and local operators.
The Impact of the Chinese Market
Blizzard's partnership with NetEase ended abruptly, leading to the removal of their games from China. Gamers, frustrated by their inability to access Overwatch, responded by swamping the game's Steam page with negative reviews. As a result, even with some subsequent mixed reviews, the backlash remains a formidable challenge for the game's reputation.
"Overwatch was removed from China. So these reviews are from players who couldn’t even play the game anymore," stated one commentator.
Current Review Status
As of February 2026, Overwatch holds an overall rating of 36% on Steam, indicating prolonged dissatisfaction within the community. Recent reviews show a slight improvement with a mixed score—56% positive—but this remains overshadowed by the massive negative tide in 2023. Many fans doubt that Overwatch can recover from this rating disaster.
Perspectives from the Community
Players shared various thoughts:
Some believe that the situation may improve, stating, "it’s gone from overwhelmingly negative to mixed, so I’d say they are recovering."
Others argue that review bombing undermines the integrity of the platform, noting, "For a certain class of paranoid gamer that would cause a brain meltdown."
A key player perspective highlights the ongoing struggle: "If the CN community doesn’t receive Anran’s visual update well, you can expect it to go back to Overwhelmingly Negative."
Controversy Continues
Despite some positive sentiment emerging since the review bomb, many in the gaming community remain skeptical about the potential for Overwatch’s revival. Commenters ponder whether Blizzard might revert to hoping players simply forget these recent incidents.
Key Points
△ Overwatch suffers 36% overall rating on Steam.
▽ Recent reviews show a mixed score at 56%.
※ "It’s a clear case of review bombing, why don’t they just delete them?" - Noted user comment.
As this situation evolves, questions linger about how Blizzard will navigate future updates and community reactions across its various gaming markets. Will the company take necessary steps to regain trust, or is this the new normal for Overwatch? Game enthusiasts and industry analysts remain on high alert.
Forecasting Overwatch's Path Forward
There’s a strong chance that Blizzard will attempt to mend relationships with players through strategic updates and community engagement. Experts estimate around a 60% likelihood that they will introduce fresh content aimed at winning back the Chinese market, especially considering the popularity of Overwatch among Asian gamers. However, if the anticipated visual updates are poorly received, the rating could plunge further, amplifying the ongoing dissatisfaction. The company faces a critical juncture where they must either embrace transparency and genuine communication or risk allowing Overwatch to become an industry cautionary tale.
A Shocking Echo from the Past
In many ways, Overwatch's current battle parallels the early struggles of certain music streaming platforms in the 2010s. Just as those platforms faced backlash from artists over royalties caused by their rapid growth, Blizzard now grapples with the fallout from their partnership choices and community trust. The industry watched closely as those streaming services either transformed their approach through collaboration or fumbled the ball, creating a rift with their fanbase. This past experience underlines the critical importance of listener or player loyalty. The success of Overwatch hinges not just on gameplay but on how well Blizzard can redefine its narrative in the eyes of its players.