Long beforeOverwatch 2introduced the Junker Queen teased by Junkrat and Roadhog’s story,Overwatchwas somewhat of a phenomenon. Though class-based arena shooters weren’t anything too new, withTeam Fortress 2dominating the genre for years before it,Overwatch’s bright visual style, unique character designs, high level of accessibility, and tight class mechanics led it to becoming one of the most popular games of 2016. NowOverwatch 2is getting close to release, and fans are hopeful that it can live up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessor.
Over the last few months, fan perception ofOverwatch 2has changed quite dramatically. When the sequel was first announced, fans were critical on the game’s new free-to-play model, the introduction of 5v5 teams, and the fact that it looked less like a fully-fledged sequel, and more of an expansion and tweaking of the first game. However, once fans started to get their hands onOverwatch 2via its betas, the general reception shifted somewhat, and fans are now looking forward to its full release on October 4. Before jumping in, fans may want to brush up on someOverwatchlore, as quite a bit’s been added since the first game, including the Junker Queen.
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The Shared History of Junker Queen, Junkrat, and Roadhog
The Junker Queen is one ofOverwatch 2’s brand new characters, and being the leader of Junkertown, she’s related to Junkrat and Roadhog, two of the series' most iconic heroes. For over a decade, the Junker Queen has ruled over Junkertown, an impressively large scrapyard located in the Australian Outback. WhileOverwatchis filled with bright and friendly characters, the Junker Queen is not one of them, being a ruthless leader with a harsh streak.
As a child, the Junker Queen, whose real name is Odessa Stone, wasbanished from Junkertownalongside her family by the Junker King Mason Howl. Forced to survive in the desolate wasteland, Odessa’s family eventually began to die off, leaving her alone. Being alone, Odessa relied on her tenacity and ruthlessness to survive, eventually earning a reputation for being a brutal killer.
Eventually, Odessa found her way back to Junkertown, and competed in the gladiatorial arena known as the Scrapyard. This gave her an opportunity to face off against the man that banished her family, who she defeated, landing herthe title of Junker Queen. The Junker Queen ruled with no challenge, and Junkertown saw a decade of prosperity. At one point during her reign, an erratic Junker by the name of Junkrat came to the Queen to tell her of a treasure he’d found in the ruins of the destroyed Omnium.
Believing his story but not trusting him, the Junker Queen tasked her bodyguards with interrogating Junkrat for more information. Before they could do so,Junkrat’s partner Roadhogrescued him from captivity. The two became fugitives, and the Junker Queen’s public enemies. While avoiding her enforcers, Junkrat and Roadhog stole most of the Junker Queen’s gold treasury, and used explosives to destroy some of her newly constructed buildings.
Following their streak of destruction and theft, the Junker Queen issued an official exile on both Roadhog and Junkrat, forcing the entire town to turn the duo away. After fleeing Junkertown, Junkrat and Roadhog took their criminal tendencies around the world, committing a plethora of robberies in just about every continent. After their spree had ended, the two wanted to return home, and plotted an assassination attempt on the Junker Queen, using some ofJunkrat’s trademark explosives. However, Junkrat and Roadhog were stopped at the gates of Junkertown, with their payload not even making it through the door.
Overwatch 2launches on October 4 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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