Summary
To complement the post-launch seasons ofOverwatch 2, the game has started to lean more into limited crossover events with other huge IPs in the gaming industry. This is evidenced by the recently released details of the Trials of Sanctuary event, which is set to be an engaging and layered crossover with theDiablofranchise.
Trials of Sanctuary is set to drop during the upcoming Season 7 ofOverwatch 2and is already gearing up to be one of the most comprehensive crossover events that the franchise has seen in a very long time. Thanks to the scale and interactivity of the crossover’s content, as well as how it thematically matches Season 7 overall, fans have a lot to look forward to with how crossovers are handled inOverwatch 2’s future.
RELATED:Overwatch 2 Dev Reveals Which Core Roadhog Abilities Are Staying Despite Upcoming Rework
Overwatch 2’s Impressive Diablo Crossover: Trials of Sanctuary
Season 7 ofOverwatch 2is being officially billed as “Rise of Darkness,” with the overall themes of the limited-time event being very sinister. Beginning on October 10 and likely lasting until around mid-December, it is clear that Blizzard is trying to focus on Halloween-themed content over the next two months. Theupcoming season is confirmed to bring reworks to Sombraand Roadhog, as well as a new battle pass, control map, mythic skin, and a dedicated Halloween event.
As well as all this, Trials of Sanctuary will be a dedicated co-op game mode available in Season 7, being part of a widerDiablocrossover withinOverwatch 2. Blizzard recently announced how this limited game mode will function, with players working together in PvE gameplay on aspooky version ofOverwatch 2’s Blizzard World map. Players will be able to upgrade abilities as they progress through the map, adding an even further twist to the usualOverwatchformula.
Like past co-op game modes, players will periodically come across bosses that takethe form of iconicOverwatchheroes, this time being re-skinned to transform into some highly recognizableDiablocharacters. Roadhog, Moira, and Wrecking Ball are confirmed to feature as bosses in Trials of Sanctuary, with the mode already shaping up to be one of the most thorough crossovers inOverwatchhistory.
While many fans are excited at the prospect of being able to play through this limited mode, thinking about the precedent this sets for future crossovers might be even more exciting. If Trials of Sanctuary turns out to be a success, then it could easily bring about a similar crossover event for every subsequent season ofOverwatch 2. When considering how lucrative similar crossovers have been forother multiplayer titles likeFortniteand evenCall of Duty, it is a wonder howOverwatch 2has not fully committed to the trend already.
An immediate example of whatOverwatch 2could explore in the future is a crossover with something like Marvel, with both franchises having a focus on powerful heroes. Skins and game modes for these crossovers are essentially limitless and would give each season ofOverwatch 2even more content to look forward to. Of course, the fact thatOverwatchandDiabloare both Blizzard IPsmakes the Trials of Sanctuary crossover a logistically easy one, butOverwatchis already established enough to extend a branch to other IPs.
It remains to be seen exactly how Trials of Sanctuary will play, but the prospect of the mode and its associated skins are already drawing a lot of attention. With this potentially being the start of a long and fruitful spate of crossovers for the game, Trials of Sanctuary bodes extremely well for the future ofOverwatch 2.
Overwatch 2is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Overwatch 2 Art Shows How Sigma Would Look Wearing Kiriko’s New One-Punch Man Skin
