As the world continues to wait for a concrete release date for Overwatch 2, Blizzard Entertainment have certainly not been shy in releasing updates and teasers on some of the new maps the game is going to boast. Here’s the full lowdown on some of the best maps released so far in 2021.

New York

From coffee cups on the subway to the famous ‘Jephs Corner’ pizza shop, the sheer number of references to former game developer Jeff Kaplan make the new New York impressive by itself.

Featuring huge skyscrapers, big yellow taxi cabs, pizza stores and the Grand Central Terminal, this hybrid map type has been designed with Overwatch 2’s new 5v5 format in mind.

New York’s visual style looks to be a departure from the types of city maps such as King’s Row that Overwatch fans have become used to, with the whole environment feeling much more ‘downtown’ and less in-your-face, not having all the tourist traps and stereotypical spots crammed round every corner.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is one of the biggest maps ever released in the game, set across three main locations, capturing all the features Brazil’s second-largest city is best known for: a neighborhood favela, a nightclub and a beach with golden sands. Based on some of the screenshots already released by Blizzard, the map looks to be bringing a new level of color and vibrancy, unlike any other map Overwatch fans are used to playing on.

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Club Sinestesia is the name of the nightclub the heroes will fight through, capturing the carnival party atmosphere that no trip to South America would be complete without, and its story experience looks set to provide a whole array of lore on both the game’s universe and its native hero, Lucio.

Monte Carlo

With its real-world setting of a luxurious port nestled against the steep slopes of a rolling set of the Alps, Monte Carlo looks set to become one of the most attractive Escort maps in the Overwatch pool.

The payload on the map is a floating Formula 1-style car that teams will have to traverse through the map, in homage to the famous Monaco race that takes place every year. The windy path, tight corners, and abundance of high ground already have us feeling confident that sniping will reign supreme on Monte Carlo, with the map also requiring players to play smart with their Tank and think twice before engaging in risky dives or duels.

Visually, the map already looks stunning: the glitz and glamour of the luxury yachts docked in port and the casinos full of high rollers are brought to life superbly with a nighttime setting and Overwatch’s warm aesthetics, making Monte Carlo one of the most faithful recreations for the game, as well as one of its more ambitious in terms of gameplay.

Rome

Based on what has already been revealed from the map, it’s clear that Rome t looks set to capture that cinematic grandiosity that other competitive picks such as Busan or Nepal previously nailed so well.

“One of the locations the team is most excited for players to experience is Rome, a map that marries romantic old-world architecture and emblematic locales like the Coliseum and the Seven Hills with futuristic tech in a uniquely Overwatch style.”
excerpt from the “Behind the Scenes of Overwatch 2’s development” blog post from February 19, 2021

Rome looks set to feature all of the classic architecture and antiquity from the Eternal City, though players are still awaiting a reveal over whether the new map will be a typical payload mission such as Rialto or a hybrid such as King’s Row.