Battleborn and Overwatch are often compared, but they actually play in completely different leagues. To clear up the misconceptions, we have outlined the main differences here.
Since the release of Battleborn, it has been compared to Blizzard’s hero shooter Overwatch, although technically Battleborn was announced earlier.
Battleborn Vs. Overwatch – What are the differences?
But we want to finally put an end to the annoying comparisons and have gathered a few arguments that highlight the main differences between the two games. However, what we definitely do not intend to do here is pass any judgment. So we are not saying which game is “better”, but just how they differ. Incidentally, the primary source we used was YouTuber Total Biscuit, whose video on the subject we also link here.
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Point 1 – Features and Game Modes
Overwatch is primarily a pure multiplayer title. There are three game modes and a total of 12 uniquely designed maps with clear differences in design. In the Escort game mode, we must escort an object through the map while the opposing team tries to stop us. In the “Assault” mode, one team attacks and must capture points while the other team defends them. The “Control mode” allows both teams to capture and hold up to three points, and lastly, there’s a hybrid mode that starts as Assault and ends as an Escort mission.
Battleborn offers 9 different maps and also three PvP game modes. In addition, there is also a PvE campaign that we can undertake cooperatively with up to four other players. The three PvP game modes are Incursion, Capture, and Meltdown. Capture is a typical shooter mode in which we take fortified positions and gradually collect victory points. In Incursion, each team has a giant combat robot secured by strong shields. We must destroy this by cleverly guiding small minion robots to it to disable its shield. Lastly, there’s Meltdown, where we must escort minions safely to scrap presses, earning us victory points.
| Overwatch | Battleborn |
| Three PvP game modes | Three PvP game modes |
| 12 original maps | 8 PvE missions |
| 9 maps that are quite similar |
Point 2 – Heroes, Style, and Setting
Overwatch currently offers us 21 heroes, some of whom are quite eccentric. For example, the scientist Winston is an ape and Zenyatta is a floating Zen robot monk. The rest of the crew consists of lovingly designed heroes who mostly keep it grounded. The graphic style is somewhat akin to a Pixar animated film, colorful and lively, but still subtle.
The heroes are divided into four classes: Attackers, Defenders, Supporters, and Tanks. Moreover, all of them are available from the start. If the selected hero is not performing well during the game, it can be switched at any time in the starting zone, and multiple copies of the same hero are also allowed. Character progression is not present; although there are levels you can gain between battles, these have no effect on the game but merely unlock cosmetic items like new skins or emotes.
The story of Overwatch and the backgrounds of the heroes, while well-developed, take place entirely outside the game in comics, blog entries, and stylish rendered cutscenes. The game itself does not concern itself with the plot but rather throws all heroes, regardless of their loyalty in the story, into teams and lets them fight each other. The humor of the game is original and funny but remains mild and family-friendly.
Battleborn starts with 25 heroes to choose from. Most of them are extremely eccentric and originally designed. For instance, there is the completely insane chaos witch Orendi, who has four arms and a hearty appetite for entrails, or the healing ninja mushroom Miko. The heroes are categorized into Attackers, Tanks, Defenders, and Supporters.
Between missions, heroes can level up and unlock not only cosmetic items but also completely new skills. In addition, only a handful of heroes are available at the start; the rest must be unlocked through specific actions, for example, by eliminating a total of 50 other players or destroying 800 minions.
The graphics are extremely colorful and filled with flashy effects, resembling the style of Wildstar. A well-developed story is present and is relevant in the PvE mode; however, the individual characters are also well-crafted, and further information about their backgrounds can be unlocked through challenges. Additionally, there are fun comic sequences outside the game that explain further backgrounds. The humor of Battleborn is dark, coarse, and quirky.
| Overwatch | Battleborn |
| 21 heroes, all available from the start | 25 heroes, most of which must be unlocked |
| 4 hero classes | 4 hero classes |
| Story only relevant outside the game | Story in PvE mode |
| Hero progression unlocks cosmetics | Hero progression unlocks new heroes and skill variations along with cosmetics |
| Funny and original lines from heroes, more subdued but always striking humor | Dark humor and coarse lines, especially in missions, not necessarily family-friendly |
Point 3 – Gameplay
Overwatch plays out like a fast-paced team shooter in the vein of Team Fortress. The action is rapid, and there is a distinction between regular hits and critical headshots. All heroes are quite fragile, often going down after just a few hits. Even tanky characters like Roadhog can be quickly eliminated; however, respawn times are short, allowing constant action.
Within a match, there is no progression for heroes; they all remain equal in terms of abilities and have all skills available from the start. Only the ultimate skill needs to be charged slowly through hits and kills. There are no further talents or equipment; each hero starts the match with the same abilities and stats. This makes Overwatch very beginner-friendly.
Battleborn is less of a shooter and more of a MOBA. Unlike in League of Legends or Heroes of the Storm, we must guide minions into the enemy base in two of the three PvP modes to help secure the win. This makes it much more important to protect our own minions and eliminate those of the enemy rather than just focusing on the enemy players.
Heroes are quite durable and cannot be taken out with a single hit. Furthermore, heroes can level up to 10 levels during a match and choose special talents each time, which allow for additional tactics. Each hero also has an ultimate skill that becomes available only at level 5.
Heroes can collect special shards during battle to activate defensive structures, particularly strong minions, or personal equipment. The latter are earned in the PvE mode and a special “loadout” can be assembled before a match. This then provides valuable bonuses in combat once the items with shards are activated. Overall, the gameplay of Battleborn is tactical and requires some acclimatization to handle the sometimes very different heroes.
| Overwatch | Battleborn |
| Shooter gameplay like Team Fortress | Shooter with strong MOBA elements |
| Heroes can be eliminated quickly | Heroes are durable, especially at higher levels |
| Fast-paced gameplay with short respawn times | More tactical gameplay with sometimes very long respawn times |
| All skills available from the start, ultimates must be charged with actions. | Ultimate skill only available from level 5, but limited by cooldown. |
| No changes to stats and skills in-game | Heroes can level up to 10 levels and gain new talents each time; pre-defined equipment can be activated for additional bonuses |
| Unlimited identical heroes allowed, heroes can be switched at any time | No hero copies allowed, hero cannot be switched |
| Easy-to-learn gameplay, quick entry | Players can activate tactical advantages like towers, equipment, or minions with in-match currency |
| More difficult entry, heroes are hard to master |
