After a two-month hiatus, the closed beta for Blizzard Entertainment’s highly anticipated team shooter Overwatch has finally returned, and the game has arrived when several new features for players to try out.

New game modes

The latest beta patch has introduced two new game modes to Overwatch.

Control Mode

Control is a new type of map where players must occupy and defend a location from the enemy team. While players hold the point, they gradually make progress toward capturing it, and the round ends whenever the capture is complete. Whichever team wins the best two out of three rounds wins the entire match.

This game mode is not particularly groundbreaking for a team based shooter, as there have been variations of a “King of the Hill” type map in dozens of other shooters. However, the new Control mode will offer a different play style for Overwatch, and it will give players the chance to discover new strategies for the game’s various heroes.

Two new Control maps, Lijiang Tower and Nepal, have also been added to the game.

Play vs AI

In addition to Control Mode, Blizzard has also introduced a new Play vs AI game mode, which allows a team of human players to face off against a team of computer-controlled heroes.

This mode is for players who want a more cooperative and less competitive gameplay experience, and users can queue up for the new game mode either as individuals or as a group.

Player Progression

One of the biggest features arriving in the new patch today is a player progression system that will allow players to earn experience and unlock new rewards through gameplay.

“While we strongly believe that playing Overwatch should feel exciting and rewarding on its own, we also know how fun it can be to work toward long-term goals,” Blizzard said in the latest patch notes.

According to Blizzard, players will now earn experience for participating in Quick Play and Play vs AI games, and whenever they gain a level, they will receive a Loot Box that contains random cosmetic items including “skins, animations, emotes, custom dialogue options, sprays, and more.”

Players will also be able to buy Loot Boxes directly through a newly introduced in-game currency called credits.

Aside from the new features, Blizzard also introduced a number of tweaks and bug fixes. You can read the full patch notes here.

Image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment Inc