Always say hi to the penguins.
Overwatch 2 has been on an upwards trajectory since its release and its upcoming season 3 will be bringing a cold embrace with it. With the current battle pass expected to expire after nine weeks of its release on December 7, it's safe to assume that season 3 will be dropping on February 7 2023.
And with the release of season 3 will come a brand new map, the Antarctic Peninsula. The icy tundra will be part of the Control game mode with plenty of sub-maps that will take players all across the snowy landscape with icy caverns and a wrecked ship to explore and conquer.
With many of Overwatch 2's maps focusing heavily on the lore or even certain heroes, the Antarctic Peninsula is no exception to the rule. And of course, we're talking about none other than Mei, whose story was also showcased in the animated short, Rise and Shine.
The lore-driven elements within the map dive further into Mei's backstory and explain why she was left asleep in a cryo-chamber for so many years.
The Antarctic Peninsula pays homage to Mei's background with three different sub-maps that will cycle randomly as the match progresses through three rounds. Each map focuses on a specific point of time in Mei's life that is spent in the Arctic. This includes the map Icebreaker, which is essentially an old Overwatch ship smothered in ice, the very same ship that tried to rescue Mei.
Other levels of the Antarctic Peninsula include an underground ice cave with plenty of verticalities as well as the laboratories that served as the base of Mei and her coworkers. Each level will feature elements that dive deeper into what happened to her.
And one of the great ways that make the new map worth looking out for is the interactive features that come with the Antarctic Peninsula. Not only are there fishing holes that players can fish and shoot in, but you can also create their designs in the snow thanks to a new shader.
But the cherry on top of the icing would have to be the penguins, which was something that the devs saw as a vital element to the map. And yes, we all know what you're thinking, you can shoot at them. But no animal cruelty will befall Overwatch 2 as these penguins will be virtually indestructible, ensuring to dodge every hit or bullet.
The Antarctic Peninsula drops on February 7, this coming Tuesday on Overwatch 2.