The horrors of the Subjugators

Overwatch 2 is often touted as a bright, hopeful version of humanity’s not-too-distant future, but its dark turns are pretty damn horrifying. The Null Sector invasion is led by a group of synthetic omnics fighting against humanity that has long treated them like second-class citizens. This is the second time the omnics have fought humanity, but they have a few new tricks in their arsenal right now, including what the team calls “Subjugators.” These omnics target robotic citizens and fit them with a cranial device that, well, subjugates them. They’re essentially put into what most easily be compared to a synthetic coma. Not dead, but completely unresponsive, and according to Torbjörn, their memory banks seem to be wiped in the process.

The first time you encounter one of these things is on a subway ride in Toronto—you see an omnic trying desperately to get into the shuttle as the Subjugator subdues him. Sojourn reluctantly says they can’t help him, but he’s hardly the only omnic who’s been outfitted with the Null Sector device. Throughout the rest of the mission you come across entire rooms of subjugated omnics laying lifeless across the floor. Like a night of competitive Overwatch 2 play, the story missions are also full of man-made horrors beyond comprehension.