Since its initial release in 2016, the number of Overwatch maps has grown significantly, expanding from just 12 maps at launch to over 30 today, including all Overwatch maps available for different game modes. And that’s not even counting the additional maps for deathmatch, capture the flag, training, custom games and seasonal modes!
Of these 30 Overwatch maps, there are, of course, good and bad – and even hated, making each Overwatch map stand out in its own way. So let’s break down the maps into a definitive tier list.
S-Tier – Classic Maps
King’s Row
An undeniable classic, King’s Row is perhaps the definitive Overwatch map, having been around since the beginning. King’s Row has always been loved for its simple yet weaving map, full of opportunity for flanking, holding and pushing, earning King’s Row Overwatch its legendary status. It, along with the hybrid game mode, has always been one of the most enjoyed.
Eichenwalde
Another true classic hybrid map, Eichenwalde is a fan-favorite Overwatch map that has been almost totally unchanged since release. Featuring its famously difficult, yet balanced, first choke point, Eichenwalde can sometimes be a stinker, but most matches here will see the full range of close firefights at the beginning and end, with a small wide open stint in the second phase.
Ilios
If you’re a hog or Lucio main, Ilios will be your top map. But regardless of that, Ilios is always a joy to play. It’s king of the hill game mode paired with its great design and colour palette make it a total classic. Not to mention the variety of gameplay on offer in its three wildly different parts.
Rialto
The first later addition on this list, Rialto became a hit thanks to its innovative design. Featuring canals, tight roads and an incredibly tense final room, Rialto is a well balanced escort map like no other. Offering a wide variety of options for all play types.
Route 66
Another classic from the beginning, Route 66 may now take place in the dead of night, but its DNA is still the same, making it a cherished Overwatch 2 map. Featuring plenty of long sight lines for snipers and hitscans to have their fun, while simultaneously offering up the opportunity for tense firefights while pushing the payload on this Overwatch 2 map.
A-Tier – Great Maps
Dorado
Who couldn’t put the dinging bells in A tier? Seriously though, Dorado has always been electric thanks to its excellent first and final phases.
Circuit Royal
One of the newer maps on this list, Circuit Royal injected a new flavour into the escort game mode thanks to its unique streets phase, adding verticality. While its final close-quarters can certainly pack a punch.
Lijiang Tower
Control maps are always some of my favourites – along with the community at large. Lijiang is one of the best among all Overwatch maps, offering plenty of opportunity for huge boops, careful choke holds and cunning flanks in each of its three parts.
Nepal
Another control… well it’s no surprise. Nepal has been around since release and remains one of the best maps in the game. It’s theme along with its iconic locations all offer different play styles. Warranting full comp changes, making it even more enjoyable.
Oasis
Oasis may not be the most loved control map, but it is still incredibly loved.
Hollywood
Escort and Hollywood are virtually synonymous, with Hollywood being one of the most beloved. It’s streets phase, in particular, always packs many surprises – making it one of the few escort maps to provide an exciting second phase.
Numbani
While not quite as loved as the other A tiers, Numbani is a total classic Overwatch map with the potential for some golden gameplay.
B-Tier – Good Maps
Colosseo
One of the maps released alongside the Push game mode, Colosseo was certainly the best. Offering up a closeness and intensity which the other push modes lacked. This tightness leads to many tense moments on the edges of Colosseo, making it much more of a back and forth than others in the game mode.
Watchpoint: Gibraltar
One of the most beloved in the franchise, the only reason Gibraltar doesn’t place higher on this list is because it is notorious for hitting many stalemates. Whether that be just before the first checkpoint, or right at the spawn doors. Gibraltar can be incredibly frustrating with an uncoordinated team.
Busan
Control. It’s always fun. Busan even has a giggly cow… what’s there not to love?
Samoa
One of the most recent control maps, Samoa is a joy to play but doesn’t quite meet the punch of the older control maps.
Midtown
It took everything to not place midtown in the mid tier, but it is slightly better than that. This Overwatch map features some great design and moments.
Paraíso
One of the more fun Overwatch 2 maps, Paraiso offers a variety of gameplay in a somewhat confusingly convoluted package.
C-Tier – Mid Maps
New Queen Street
Another Overwatch 2 map in the Push game mode, albeit one much more likely to snowball, New Queen Street can be a fun time, but you’re sure to be spending a good portion of the map walking back from those spawn doors a hefty distance away.
Hanamura
A classic back in Overwatch, Hanamura has been regulated to the arcade in Overwatch 2. And while it was often hated for creating plenty of long matches alongside even more painful matches which held at the very first choke, it is a classic.
Esperança
If you thought the spawn doors were far away in New Queen Street… think again.
Runasapi
Push has never been the electric game mode the developers had hoped for… Runasapi is a testament to that and is one of the less popular Overwatch maps in this mode.
Volskaya Industries
Volskaya Industries is a classic, but another notorious entry among all Overwatch maps for first point holds and annoying second point clutches.
Antarctic Peninsula
A good game mode, but a mid map.
New Junk City
Flashpoint is a good idea, but the Overwatch maps are way too big. New Junk City really suffers from that.
Suravasa
Like New Junk City, Suravasa can be fun, but it can also be a huge drag due to distant spawns.
D-Tier – Disliked Maps
Paris
The final capture in Paris was always too big – it was unique, but somehow it remained frustrating to both attack and defend.
Havana
Disliked almost immediately, Havana became a notoriously skipped map due to it’s strange distances.
Junkertown
With a lot of really distant spawn points, Junkertown remains one of the least favored Overwatch 2 maps, often resulting in matches falling apart after just a few minutes.
Blizzard World
If you’ve played it, you know the problems.
Hanaoka
Clash is the newest game mode, but it’s yet to catch the community’s heart. If you’re jumping back in to try out Clash, get yourself some Overwatch 2 Boosting to play with the best.
Throne of Anubis
The same as Hanaoka.
F-Tier – Hated Maps
Horizon Lunar Colony
This Overwatch map was removed for a reason. Both points were notoriously difficult to capture and defend – but not in a good way.
Temple of Anubis
While I loved this map, the community disagreed. And Temple of Anubis died with its game mode, now being relegated to arcade.