Check Out the ‘Overwatch’ Tribute to Rio 2016

  Now, I’m no soccer fan. As Egotastic’s resident Englishman, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this. I should be celebrating ‘football,’ the sport of kings, and wanking on and on about our most beloved of national pastimes.  

Thing about that is, though, I’m not really assed. Maybe it’s all the hooliganism and general assholery that goes along with it. Maybe it’s the overpaid whiners crying and rolling around on the pitch like they’ve been sucker punched by King Kong at the slightest knock. The big ol’ sissies. Soccer’s a big deal here in Merry Olde England, but I’m just not convinced.

All of that said, though, soccer done right is a beautiful thing. Add in some cartoon violence and a heaping helping of batshit crazy, and I’m totally on board. The likes of Sega Soccer Slam (remember that? It was badass) tickle my fancy to no end. Which is why Overwatch’s fancy new Lucioball mode gets seven thumbs up from me.

This is the first part of the celebrated toontastic shooter’s Summer Games, and will see players, quoth Kotaku, ‘battling it out on a “futuristic football field” in a Rocket League-esque seasonal football brawl set in Rio de Janeiro.’ Don’t mind if I do. Here’s the blurb, fresh from Overwatch Assistant Game Director Aaron Keller:

‘Overwatch’s spin on soccer places you in a fast-paced, 3v3 match featuring Lúcio. Players will hit the field in Rio de Janeiro, punching, bouncing, booping, and wall-riding their way to the goal. Understanding how Lúcio’s abilities affect the ball is the key to mastering Lúcioball. For this brawl, his primary fire has been replaced with a melee attack, allowing Lúcio to punch the ball — perfect for dribbling, passing, and shooting from short range. When you need to launch the ball across the map, Lúcio’s secondary attack emits a blast of sound that gets the job done nicely. Unlike other game modes, the speed boost from Lúcio’s song only affects himself (Amp It Up will still increase that boost for Lucio, as it does normally), and Lúcio’s ultimate ability, Sound Barrier, now pulls the ball toward him.’ 

The mode's here from now until August 22nd, to celebrate a certain real-life sports dealie hitting Rio this Summer. So get in on the action now.