Downpour Interactive's VR multiplayer shooter Onward is finally available on Oculus Quest, bringing with it the full PC VR experience in its entirety. This includes 5v5 multiplayer matchmaking, single player and co-op game modes, and a wide arsenal of realistic weaponry, surveillance tech, and other tactical equipment designed to keep you alive on the battlefield.
Unlike other PvP shooters available on Oculus Quest, Onward is a hyper-realistic mil-sim paced experience requiring an immense amount of team communication as well as strategy in order to survive. This means memorizing map layouts, familiarizing yourself with a wide range of somewhat complex weaponry and equipment, and getting comfortable with information gathering.
It can be a lot to take in, which is why we're offering a handful of tips perfect for those jumping into the action for the first time on Oculus Quest. That being said those who've already spent time with the game on PC VR may find the following advice fairly obvious. Again, this guide is aimed at brand new players entering the battlefield for the first time. So, without further ado, here is our complete beginner's guide to Onward on Oculus Quest.
Familiarize yourself with the weapons and tools of Onward.
The most obvious tip, besides completing the tutorial, is to familiarize yourself with the wide range of weaponry and tools at your disposal. Before the start of each match you'll have the option of choosing between two factions, each of which featuring their own unique weaponry to choose from. Take time to experiment with a handful of weapons in the Freeroam game mode before hopping into a real match. Each gun features its nown uniuqe layout so it's usually a good idea to practice firing and reloading before jumping into a firefight.
Compare the stats of each gun, such as their recoil and damage, to find the ones best suited for your needs. Players can choose from multiple classes, each complete their own weapons and two loadout slots. The general rule of thumb is to customize one loadout for day and one for night. When fighting in larger, well-lit maps, for example, you may want to equip the air drone. For smaller, darker maps, however, consider opting for night vision. Each weapon, tool, and attachment costs a certain amount of points, so you'll need to choose your equipment wisely.
Duck & cover!
Once you've made your way to the battlefield, make sure to duck and cover! This sounds like obvious advice, but you'd be surprised how many players I see firing at enemies from the center of an open street. Much like a real battle, remaining behind cover could mean the difference between life and death. Make full use of the Quest's 6DoF functionality; maximize your available protection by hugging walls and other obstructions as tightly as possible, only exposing yourself when absolutely necessary.
Here's a neat little trick: when rising from behind cover to shoot, turn your weapon sideways. This will expose even less of your body to enemy fire by lowering the sights of the weapon, and therefore your head, closer to the cover. There are even a few side-mounted sights available, allowing you to maximize your coverage without sacrificing accuracy.
Keep an open line of communication.
There's no such thing as oversharing on the battlefield. Provide your teammates with every little update you have, no matter how trivial it may seem. Spot an enemy moving to a new position? Call it out. Pushing left to flank? Call it out. Reloading your weapon? Call it out. Call it all out, your teammates will thank you for it, trust me. Chatting with your squad within close proximity is as easy as talking into your mic. When communicating over longer distances, however, you'll need to access the radio located on your left shoulder. Just be sure you're using the NATO phonetic alphabet, copy?
Gather intel.
In addition to communicating with your team, gathering additional intel using surveillance equipment is vital. Using equipment such as the air drone and ground drone, you can remotely scan nearby locations for enemy movement, allowing you to better plan your attack. Be careful though as enemy players can shoot down and destroy your drones, rendering them inaccessible for the remainder of the match. Remember, information is the most powerful weapon of all.
Shoot first, ask questions later.
9 times out of 10 the winner of a gunfight in Onward is the one who fired first, so don't hesitate to squeeze that trigger. Obviously you should never spray and pray, but sometimes firing a little early can actually prove beneficial. One technique you may see floating around is "pre-firing." This is when you begin shooting at an enemy before making visual contact so that you're guaranteed the first shot. Of course, this technique requires that you arelady know the enemies position before attacking. Still, when used correctly, this is a highly-effective maneuver.
And there you have hit! Five simple tips guaranteed to improve your performance on the battlefield. Again, those who've played Onward before may find this information a bit obvious. This is aimed at brand new players entering the action for the first time on Quest.
Onward is available now on Oculus Quest for $24.99 via the Oculus Store.
Image Credit: Downpour Interactive, Coatsink
