Mil-Sim Shooter ‘Onward’ Unveils Long-Awaited Major Update After a Year

Onward, the tactical military simulation shooter crafted by Downpour Interactive, a studio under the umbrella of Meta, is on the brink of a significant update—Version 2.0. Fans have been eagerly anticipating this revamp, as it’s been close to a year since the last noteworthy update hit the scene.

Despite a somewhat sparse update schedule since the ambitious ‘Mercenary’ update in February 2024, which introduced a player-versus-environment mode and several graphical enhancements, Onward hasn’t been left behind. The ‘Mercenary’ update was a significant boost for the game, and the upcoming 2.0 update promises even more substantial improvements.

Downpour Interactive is preparing to roll out the highly anticipated 2.0 version of Onward, described as “its biggest update ever” in a recent Meta blog post. This update is set to arrive sometime this year, packed with a plethora of new content.

Among the exciting new features is a complete graphical overhaul affecting weapons and utilities, giving the game a fresh and visually appealing look. There’s also the introduction of a new Operator system, which includes 20 brand-new characters, alongside exciting new map content. More details about what’s in store with this update are expected to be unveiled very soon.

This forthcoming update comes in the midst of some upheaval in the gaming industry, notably the widespread layoffs at Downpour Interactive in 2023. This tumultuous period also saw the departure of Dante Buckley, the founder and CEO, who left the company about a month before the layoffs.

Onward first made its debut to gamers on Steam in Early Access back in 2016. It later ventured into the VR realm via the original Oculus Quest in 2020. The game is celebrated for its realistically intense squad-based gameplay and its meticulous attention to detail when it comes to replicating real-world weapons.

For those interested in diving deeper into Onward, it’s available on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above and can also be found on Steam for PC VR headsets, typically priced at $25. This game promises an engrossing experience for anyone who appreciates tactical shooting and strategic gameplay.