This year’s Overwatch 2 showcase unveiled concept art for upcoming heroes, and the game’s community has already stepped up to give one a more distinct look.
The developers previewed Freja, a former search and rescue operative turned bounty hunter. While her abilities seem promising, some fans felt her heavy makeup bore a striking resemblance to the popular OW2 character, Widowmaker.
Thankfully, a player shared an edited version of the concept art on Reddit, reimagining the character’s makeup to better suit her design. The artist toned down the dark lipstick, heavy eyeshadow, and blush, opting for blue eyeshadow and more neutral tones that enhance Freja’s aesthetic.
“I honestly feel like this edit feels more like a standard Overwatch character than the original,” one player commented. The edit even retains Freja’s signature face tattoo, complementing her new blue makeup.
The editor didn’t stop at makeup, also adding muscle to Freja’s frame to reflect her bounty hunter lifestyle and further distinguish her from Widowmaker. In OW2 lore, Widowmaker, a former ballet dancer, underwent experiments by Talon, which slowed her heart rate to enhance her sniping abilities. Her background and sedentary sniping role justify her slender build. Conversely, fans believe Freja, constantly hunting and fighting, should have a more muscular physique.
One user reacted to Freja’s concept art with disappointment, stating, “I’m DEAD serious when I saw her and immediately thought she was a Widow skin. When I learned she was actually the next hero, I felt fairly disappointed.” The similar body type only added to the confusion.
Beyond the makeup, some fans noted that Freja’s outfit seemed impractical for someone from a colder climate. While she wears a bodysuit, it leaves skin exposed around her chest and thighs. “Her outfit is questionable, since she apparently comes from a colder climate,” one user pointed out.
While other games feature characters with impractical attire for their environments (like Ashe from League of Legends), Mei’s base design in OW stands out. As Mei trekked from an abandoned Antarctic base, her design incorporates heavy-duty jackets and gloves. While Freja may not be visiting Antarctica, fans desire more coverage in her design.
While this community-driven redesign has received widespread support, it’s likely too late for significant changes. Freja will debut during a free-trial weekend in season 15 before her full release in season 16. With a complete in-game model, extensive alterations seem unlikely.
Here are the specific adjustments made by fans to address the concerns:
Adjusting Makeup and Physique
This method directly tackles the perceived similarities between Freja and Widowmaker by altering Freja’s visual characteristics.
Step 1: Modify Freja’s makeup to use more muted and neutral tones.
Step 2: Replace dark lipstick and heavy eyeshadow with lighter shades.
Step 3: Add blue eyeshadow to complement Freja’s face tattoo.
Step 4: Increase Freja’s muscle mass to reflect her active lifestyle as a bounty hunter.
Altering Outfit Design
This method directly addresses the concern that her outfit does not match well with her lore where she comes from a colder climate.
Step 1: Add more layers to her bodysuit to better protect her from the elements.
Step 2: Cover exposed skin around her chest and thighs.
Ultimately, while fans have offered compelling suggestions for Freja’s design, the likelihood of significant changes before her release remains low.