Overwatch 2: Invasion PvE – Gameplay, lore, maps & challenges

Stephanie Zucarelli
Overwatch 2 Lucio, Tracer and Reinhardt on a Story Mission

Overwatch 2 Invasion is now live, and it has introduced several PvE game modes for fans to enjoy. Here’s everything you need to know about Overwatch 2 Season 6 update.

Overwatch 2: Invasion has introduced a huge amount of content that includes the long-awaited PvE mode. This new update seems to be crucial for Overwatch 2’s lore, and players seem excited about it, despite the fact that they called it a “$15 paywall.”

These new Story Missions are co-op experiences that will require teams of four players to complete multiple objectives with a selected group of heroes. Here’s what you need to know about Overwatch 2: Invasion PvE gameplay, new maps, and Story Missions.

Overwatch 2: Invasion new gameplay

Overwatch 2 Invasion Story Mission features Bridgitte and the team flying to Rio to stop Null Sector.
Overwatch 2: Invasion will feature new ways to stop Null Sector.

Blizzard has shown that Overwatch 2: Invasion has a couple of new PvE modes that follow the story of the Null Sector invasion. The first wave of Story Missions will include locations such as Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, and Gothenburg, where teams have to fight to complete story objectives.

Story Missions will have to be played with other human teammates, and bots will only be available in case someone drops from the game. Overwatch 2: Invasion will also allow only a selected roster of characters to be the protagonists of these stories.

The devs have also revealed that they are preparing Event Missions, a series of replayable content that is meant to play after finishing a story mission. These will have special challenges that cycle every week, as well as different hero rosters available for completing them.

For players that aren’t interested in PvE, Overwatch 2: Invasion introduced a new PvP game mode called Flashpoint. This challenge will ask two teams to get control of random points on the map and then defend them until it reaches 100%. This will earn them one point and then unlock the next objective; the first team to reach three points wins.

Overwatch 2: Invasion new maps

Story Missions take place in some new areas of classic Overwatch 2 maps, such as the limited-time co-op event called King’s Row: Underworld.

Overwatch 2 team rescuing Omnics in King's Row Underworld
Underworld is a new area of a classic Overwatch 2 map.

King’s Row: Underworld will ask players to work together to save the Omnics trapped in the Underworld before Null Sector can get to them. King’s Row map has been modified for this free-to-play co-op event, which will change every week for players to test their skills and earn new rewards.

Overwatch 2 players will be able to play King’s Row: Underworld until September 4, 2023.

Overwatch 2: Invasion new PvE lore

During the Overwatch 2 cinematic Zero Hour, players got to witness how Null Sector, a rogue Omnic group, invaded Paris. Thankfully, Winston, Tracer, Mei, and other team members were able to save the city but realized that this was just the start of the global invasion.

Blizzard developers Kim Horn and Dion Rogers explained that the events of Overwatch 2: Invasion are happening right after Winston’s recall, one of the first cinematics of Overwatch’s lore. “Lucio hasn’t met Reinhardt yet. You’re going to learn exactly how these characters meet each other and what they’ve been up to before this invasion happened,” Rogers explained.

Overwatch 2 Season 6 will have Null Sector try to kidnap every Omnic that fights against them, but it’s still a mystery why. It’s up to the new Overwatch team to find out what their plans are and put a stop to them, but they’ll need help from past allies and new faces to stand a chance.

Overwatch 2: Invasion new Hero Mastery missions

Overwatch 2 Invasion Hero Mastery mode.
The Hero Mastery modes scenarios are virtually generated by Winston, according to the lore.

Players are also getting solo content in the form of Hero Mastery missions. They are a series of simulated challenges that will allow fans to experiment with every character, but these levels will be released in a staggered fashion.

While training and honing new skills, players will be able to compete with others through Global Scoreboards, so these missions aren’t target practice but time-attack challenges.

If you want to get ready for Overwatch 2 Season 6, try checking out our other guides:

Best Overwatch 2 PC settings: How to boost FPS & optimize graphics | Does Overwatch 2 have cross-progression crossplay? Is Overwatch 2 crossplay? | How to play Overwatch 2 on Steam Deck | Best Overwatch 2 Heroes | Best Overwatch 2 PC settings: High FPS, graphics & visibility | How to get Golden Guns in Overwatch 2 | How to change crosshair in Overwatch 2