They say imitation is the best form of flattery, but honestly: this particular case might be pushing it.
The Chinese mobile FPS Ying Xiong Shi Ming -- which translates to Hero Mission in English -- is Overwatch. It's not "similar to" Overwatch or "inspired by" Overwatch or anything like that; it's basically just Overwatch, with a hefty helping of bonus copyright infringement sprinkled in.
The heroes all riff on (or overtly reproduce) the ones from Blizzard's game. The maps draw on both the art and the physical makeup of Overwatch maps. Even the iconography -- health packs, control points, etc. -- is nearly identical.
Unlockable hero skins -- the biggest dangling carrot Overwatch offers -- go a step further. The Hanzo-like (who looks a bit like Hawkeye in his default skin) can be Rambo or an Assassin's Creed dude. Other skins resemble Star Wars Stormtroopers, Metal Gear's Solid Snake, and more. By default, not-Roadhog looks like Mad Max's Immortan Joe.
Is the game any good, though? Hard to say. Looking like Overwatch is one thing, but playing like it -- what with all the work Blizzard does to keep things balanced -- is another matter entirely.
Topics Blizzard Entertainment Esports Gaming
