Overwatch is a popular online multiplayer game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Since the game’s release in 2016, Blizzard has released a series of animated shorts that give insight into the game’s backstory and the characters that inhabit its world. If you’re new to Overwatch or haven’t watched the shorts yet, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. In this article, we’ll guide you through each of the Overwatch shorts and the order in which they should be watched.
1. “Recall”
The first Overwatch animated short, “Recall,” was released in 2016 and tells the story of Winston, a genetically-engineered gorilla who was a member of the Overwatch team. The short shows Winston trying to reunite with his former teammates after the disbanding of Overwatch. This short is a good introduction to the Overwatch universe and its characters, providing some backstory on Winston and the game’s lore.
2. “Alive”
The second Overwatch animated short, “Alive,” was also released in 2016 and features Widowmaker, a sniper assassin who was once a ballerina named Amélie Lacroix. The short shows Widowmaker carrying out a hit on a wealthy CEO while being pursued by Overwatch operative Tracer. This short provides more insight into the game’s world and shows off some of the game’s exciting action sequences.
3. “Dragons”
“Dragons” was released in 2016 and focuses on Hanzo and Genji, two brothers who were once part of a powerful criminal organization called the Shimada clan. The short shows the two brothers fighting each other in a Japanese temple, ultimately reconciling and putting an end to their feud. This short provides some backstory on two beloved characters in the Overwatch community and shows off Blizzard’s beautiful animation style.
4. “Hero”
“Hero” was released in 2016 and tells the story of Soldier: 76, a former Overwatch operative who is now a vigilante trying to clean up the streets of a city called Dorado. The short shows Soldier: 76 fighting against members of a gang called Los Muertos and ultimately finding a clue that leads to a bigger mystery. This short provides a bit of mystery to the Overwatch universe, as well as some more action sequences.
5. “The Last Bastion”
“The Last Bastion” was released in 2016 and focuses on Bastion, a robot who was originally designed for peaceful purposes but was later retrofitted for combat. The short shows Bastion exploring a forest, befriending a bird, and ultimately experiencing a flashback to a battle during the Omnic Crisis, which was a global conflict between man and machine. This short is notable for being almost entirely devoid of dialogue, relying on visual storytelling to convey its message.
6. “Infiltration”
“Infiltration” was released in 2016 and features Sombra, a hacker who is trying to steal some sensitive information from a high-security facility. The short shows Sombra infiltrating the facility with the help of a spiderlike robot before she’s ultimately confronted by an enemy sniper. This short provides some more backstory on a popular character and shows off some of the game’s cool tech enemies.
7. “Rise and Shine”
“Rise and Shine” was released in 2017 and focuses on Mei, a scientist who was cryogenically frozen after an ecological disaster and later awakened to find herself alone at her research base in Antarctica. The short shows Mei discovering that her team has died and finding a way to repair her equipment in order to send out a distress signal. This short provides some backstory on one of the game’s most beloved characters and shows off some of Blizzard’s beautiful animation.
8. “Honor and Glory”
“Honor and Glory” was released in 2017 and centers on Reinhardt, a former member of Overwatch who is now a knight trying to defend his homeland. The short shows Reinhardt fighting against an army of robots in order to protect his fellow citizens, ultimately suffering a great loss. This short provides some more backstory on a popular character and shows off some of the game’s large-scale battles.
FAQs
Q. In what order should I watch the Overwatch animated shorts?
A. We recommend watching the shorts in the order listed above, starting with “Recall” and ending with “Honor and Glory.” This order provides the best introduction to the Overwatch universe and its characters, as well as following a chronological story arc.
Q. How long are the Overwatch animated shorts?
A. The shorts range in length from six to ten minutes.
Q. Do I need to have played Overwatch to enjoy the animated shorts?
A. No, the shorts can be enjoyed on their own as standalone animated films. However, if you are familiar with the game, you may have a greater understanding of some of the short’s references and nuances.
Q. Will there be more Overwatch animated shorts in the future?
A. Blizzard has not announced any plans for new animated shorts at this time.
Q. Can I watch the Overwatch animated shorts for free?
A. Yes, all of the Overwatch animated shorts are available to watch for free on Blizzard’s official YouTube channel.
Overall, the Overwatch animated shorts are a great way to dig deeper into the game’s world and its characters. Watching them in order provides a cohesive narrative that can enhance your understanding of the game and its lore. Whether you are a seasoned Overwatch player or new to the world of first-person shooters, these shorts are a must-watch for any fan of animation or storytelling.
