In a world where tactical mil-sim shooters pique the interest of virtual reality enthusiasts, Onward, a game developed by Downpour Interactive and owned by Meta, is set to undergo a major transformation with the arrival of its eagerly anticipated 2.0 update. While players have been waiting quite some time—almost a year since the last significant update—the excitement for what’s to come is palpable.
Despite concerns that Onward might have been left in the dust, it actually received a notable update with the ‘Mercenary’ release back in February 2024. This substantial patch introduced new features such as a Player vs. Environment (PVE) mode and various graphical enhancements, ensuring the game remained fresh and dynamic.
Looking ahead, Downpour Interactive is preparing to roll out the new 2.0 update, which Meta has teased in a recent blog post as the game’s “biggest update ever.” With promises of a plethora of fresh content, fans are buzzing with anticipation.
The update promises a visually stunning experience, thanks to what Meta describes as “a massive graphical overhaul” affecting both weapons and utilities. Additionally, players can look forward to a revamped Operator system featuring 20 new characters, accompanied by fresh map content. While the exact details remain under wraps, more information is expected to be unveiled shortly.
This update comes in the wake of significant challenges within the gaming industry, including widespread layoffs at Downpour Interactive in 2023. The studio also witnessed the departure of its founder and CEO, Dante Buckley, who left just a month before these layoffs took place. Buckley originally founded the studio in 2015, and since then, Onward has captivated audiences with its debut on Steam in Early Access in 2016 and later on the original Oculus Quest in 2020. The game is known for its realistic squad-based gameplay and dedication to authentic reproductions of real-world weapons.
For those eager to dive into the enhanced experience, you can find Onward on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, as well as on Steam for PC VR headsets, retailing at a regular price of $25. Keep an eye out for more details about the game’s exciting new chapter soon.
