REVIEW: ‘Overwatch 2: Genesis,’ Part 3 – “Rebirth”

With the birth of Overwatch, humanity had a new hope for its eventual victory over the Anubis AI. But with each victory came a new struggle. Something more was needed if humanity was going to see its way through the night. It would need special help from a singular individual in Overwatch 2: Genesis Part 3.

The Overwatch franchise has always been, at its core, about hope. Since that first trailer where we all heard Tracer deliver her iconic line, “The world could always use more heroes,” the story has always revolved around positivity for the future. It has always been a big part of what has made the IP stand out among its competition, and Overwatch 2: Genesis Part 3 delivers an ending to this look into the series’ lore that continues to echo that core message of hope.

Despite Overwatch’s creation, humanity struggles to stay one step ahead of its for. With Anubis countering every strategy humanity can concoct, a more permanent solution has to be found if humanity is to survive. The scientists behind the original omnics devise a plan to potentially rob Anubis of its unending supply of troops. However, there is a cost.

The sacrifice at the core of Overwatch 2: Genesis Part 3’s pivotal moment is a wonderfully crafted sequence that reinforces everything the franchise is about. It highlights in numerous ways the extreme importance of choice and how free will is both a great gift and a great responsibility.

The great impact of the episode’s central choice is wonderfully reinforced through the voice acting of the various characters interviewed in this installment. Whether human or omnic, the event clearly touches the characters in a deeply personal way that comes through beautifully, thanks to the reserved emotional deliveries of the cast.

The animation throughout this episode is simple but effective in reinforcing the strong emotional center of the narrative. Some great shots are arranged, delivering strong visual presentations of the events that play out,  layering a symbolic coat of visual meaning over many of the actions that are shown.

The only place where this entry falls short for me is in the lack of presence of any of the members of Overwatch. With only the briefest of shots of a couple of the team members, the group is almost non-existent in this entry. I would’ve loved it if they could’ve had the episode close with a momentary statement from one of the members who wasn’t forced to go into hiding after the group’s dissolution. Reinhardt, in particular, feels like the perfect character to give an emotional thought or two about the ending of the conflict.

Despite this one disappointment, Overwatch 2: Genesis Part 3 wraps up this short look at the franchise’s lore with an emotional message of positivity and hope. With all the ongoing struggles and battles in our own world, the series’ parting message is a powerful one that can always use remembering… “You have one life. Choose well.”