Home Gaming Here’s a closer look at the fourth Overwatch animated short – “Hero”

Here’s a closer look at the fourth Overwatch animated short – “Hero”

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Soldier 76 header

The fourth Overwatch animated short is out! It’s called “Hero”, and it shows Soldier: 76 kicking all sorts of ass, and saving a life too.

Though truth be told, it isn’t my favourite of the lot. Don’t get me wrong – “Hero” is not bad by any means, it just pales a little when compared to the first three animated shorts, particularly “Dragons”, which was truly spectacular – at least in my opinion.

Still, I’m not one to complain when it comes to Blizzard CGI goodness, so I appreciate “Hero” regardless. Here it is if you haven’t gotten around to watching it yet…

And? What did you think? Not bad, right? I just feel that it doesn’t carry the oomph that the first three animated shorts did. I was hoping to see Soldier: 76 go up against Reaper, sort of in the same fashion that we saw Tracer versus Widowmaker, or Hanzo versus Genji. Instead, we see the old man go up against the Los Muertos (I Google translated that – apparently it means “the dead)…

Little is currently known about the Los Muertos organization. Though most consider it to be a lawless, opportunistic gang, its members style themselves as revolutionaries who represent those left behind by the government after the widespread devastation of the Omnic Crisis.

That mission stands in stark contrast to their methods and the overwhelming evidence of their criminal activities.

Why was Soldier: 76 so intent on stopping this gang? I’m not entirely sure, but here’re some cool little details and references I spotted during his mission…

Murloc

Sheesh, Blizzard really like their Murlocs, don’t they? Here we have a purse that resembles one of the cute critters.

Graffiti

In almost the same shot, we have some Los Muertos graffiti. What is that symbol on the right that’s been crossed out though?

Poster

Here’s a shot packed with different bits and bobs. On the left and right, we can see a poster that references Lúcio (that’s his logo essentially). The word “gira” translates to “tour”. Makes sense, he is a world famous DJ after all.

The next poster, the one with the Omnic in the centre, has the caption “igualdad”. A simple Google translate reveals that word to be “equality”. Pity that poster, along with Lúcio’s is crossed out. I guess the locals (see: the Los Muertos) aren’t fans?

Lastly, we have an Overwatch poster with the caption “Los Protectores”. Five hundred points to whoever can guess what that means! Anyways, we have some of the original members of the team, including Tracer, Winston, Reinhardt, and Mercy. Who’s that other chap who is featured prominently though? Why, that’s John “Jack” Morrison, who just so happens to be the bloke running around as Soldier: 76.

Pharah perhaps

I know there’s no connection, but I can’t help seeing a resemblance to Pharah here. Do you see it too?

Thugs

Oh dear, the local thugs are beating the crap out of somebody! Who could it be?

Omnic

Of course, a poor innocent Omnic! Yeah, they really don’t seem to be welcome around these here parts.

Nice ride

Nice ride you got there fellas! Hey, isn’t that the same vehicle pushed along on the actual map this is based on, Dorado? Also, that number plate. Does it reference anything? I’m not entirely sure.

Oh, and check out that Piñata on the left. It’s a cute little Diablo, which is likely filled with some delicious, hellish candy!

Soldier

Why hello there, Soldier: 76! He’s not the reason I included this screenshot though. I wanted to draw attention to light paint on the thug’s face…

Paaaaaaaint

… that glows in the dark. Wow, cool party trick! This is probably something the Los Muertos do to make themselves appear more intimidating when the lights go out.

Diablo

Here’s another Diablo piñata. Wait, looks like this trunk has quite a few actually.

Tychus

I tried my hardest to find a Tychus reference on that minigun, but sadly, nothing. Dammit Blizzard, opportunity missed!

rockets

Soldier: 76 doesn’t like being shot at it seems. Here he makes use of his one signature move – Helix Rockets.

Sights

And here he makes use of his ultimate ability, Tactical Visor. He doesn’t say his catchphrase though, “I’ve got you in my sights”. Guess he was too busy trying to not die.

DIABLO AGAIN

Oh look, another Diablo piñata! This one resembles the lord of hell a lot more though – it’s burning and everything!

Banana

Is that a banana peel? Dammit Winston, learn to clean up after yourself!

Soldier 76 jacket

Wow, that grenade had quite the blast radius! It sets up this shot nicely, drawing attention to the large 76 on the jacket.

old habits

“Old habits die hard I guess”. Soldier: 76 chose to save Alexandra (or Alejandra?) instead of pursuing the Los Muertos. How the heck did he get to her so quickly though? Oh, I bet he made use of his sprint ability.

Hero

“You’re one of those heroes, aren’t you?”
“Not anymore”
“I think you are”

Despite Overwatch being disbanded, Soldier: 76 continues to fight and inspire people, even if unintentionally. Sheesh, he’s one jaded old oke!

CRIKEY

Here we have another shot of that poster wall seen earlier. We can see more however. Is that graffiti on the left perhaps a reference to Junkrat and Roadhog? The pig in particular, though not identical, reminds me of the tattoo on the latter’s tummy.

Cuuuute

I have no idea what these little critters are called, but they pop quite regularly in Overwatch. You can see them in the one arcade machine in Hanamura for example, and even on the hoody the little girl is wearing in the animated short, “Alive”.

Soldier 76

“Hero” closes with a shot of the moon. I wonder why? The glowing orb has made appearances in the other shorts (except for “Alive” I believe – I can’t spot it anywhere, unless I am blind). We all know that the moon colony was taken over by gorillas, but other than that, we don’t know too much about it. Perhaps Blizzard will tell us more about what’s going on up there in the near future.

Some people seem to think that a future map will be set on the moon. I quite like the sound of that!

Herp feature

That’s all I was able to spot in “Hero”. What about you, did you see anything else? Please be sure to let me know!

Last Updated: May 23, 2016

17 Comments

  1. Kromas untamed

    May 23, 2016 at 11:08

    The moon may be important soon. But that is just me. Also I did also think it was a bit meh compared to the 3 previous ones and the reveal trailer.

    Also here is an added bonus just for the hell of it.

    Reply

    • Deceased

      May 23, 2016 at 12:12

      WTF did I just watch XD

      I rofl’ed and people looked at me as if Matty is weird 😛

      Reply

      • Kromas GG

        May 23, 2016 at 12:22

        You should see the Mei Exposed one. Was BRILLIANT!

        Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Protector

    May 23, 2016 at 11:17

    Choooooo chooooooooooooooo

    Reply

  3. VampyreSquirrel

    May 23, 2016 at 11:24

    *sigh*

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    May 23, 2016 at 11:30

    • Ottokie

      May 23, 2016 at 11:33

      He He He

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Protector

        May 23, 2016 at 11:42

        Bastion is a He?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          May 23, 2016 at 11:43

          Or he’s powered by three Helium(He ) cells?

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Protector

            May 23, 2016 at 11:43

            The latter

          • Ottokie

            May 23, 2016 at 11:44

            I laugh like president twenty one and four times a day

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            May 23, 2016 at 11:53

            XD

  5. Matthew Holliday

    May 23, 2016 at 12:01

    was pretty average compared to the others, no mention of his past, reaper, his epic commander leadership stuff and things. pretty much ignored all the lore surrounding him.
    was expecting more actual content, but here I am waiting for episode 2.

    still, content is content i guess, lots of hype, excited etc

    Reply

  6. Deceased

    May 23, 2016 at 12:08

    So who’s getting up at 1 tonight?

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      May 23, 2016 at 19:02

      SO TEMPTED

      Reply

      • Deceased

        May 24, 2016 at 10:31

        was a GREAT evening
        man – I missed this heroin so bad

        Reply

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