‘Squad’ has been around for some time now, and with the release of update 3.0 comes new maps and a new faction introducing Marine forces. The most significant addition is the new amphibious gameplay offering aquatic assault vehicles such as the MTLB APC and the RHIB watercraft.

In this latest update, Squad takes players to a new level of strategy and gameplay. The game has gone a long way since it first popped up on Steam back in 2015, and this latest addition has many players jumping in, new and old. Developers, Offworld Industries, have lived up to the title of one of the best-combined arms shooters of this year with this update. Let’s take a step back with some who may not be familiar with the game.

Squad is a tactical, first-person shooter consisting of 100 player maps, that provides realistic gameplay in an open-world combat military simulation, where teamwork and communication are the key to succeeding. Squad’s appeal comes from its devoted community that strives to uphold those core gameplay mechanics. This is not your ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Fortnite’. Lovers of similar games like ‘ARMA’ or ‘Hell Let Loose’ will be right at home.

Now, to get into how the new update holds up. First, the controls are easy to navigate as all the new weapons and vehicles are self-explanatory to veterans of similar games. I highly recommend completing the tutorial for new players or even veterans to brush up on the controls as the game can be a little overwhelming, to begin with.

As for how the new gear, feels and works in the game. Well, having these new additions brings the game forward in its execution, not just as an update to the game but to the gameplay. They have added the new gameplay mechanics to several of the existing maps such as Narva, Goose Bay, and the new map, Black Coast. Opening up these maps to new ways to overcome previous battlefield challenges, and creating even more strategic elements is definitely fun.

Also included is the new training map, that allows you to play around with all the new gear and see how they run before taking them out on the battlefield. I loved taking the aquatic APC out for a spin and making that beach landing with all guns blazing.

I do also have to mention the added detail of mud accumulating on your uniforms during battle is a nice touch on top of the already amazing graphical details that are already present in the game.

Other new updates and additions are the new music added to the game’s menu by composer, Scott Tobin. I highly recommend taking some time to check out some of the game composers’ previous music such as ‘Lost Squad’ and ‘Outpost’. All beautifully composed music that you can listen to independently without the game. The new menu works not just visually with the aircraft carrier being stormed upon by wind and rain but that mixed with the new music just comes together like a calm rainy day relaxing and is highly pleasing to the ears.

Squad can be a challenging game for casual gamers but given what drives the core mechanics of the game and having a huge battlefield of 100 players all working together, this can be considered what multiplayer gameplay is all about. This update just shows that the developers at Offworld Industries, have created a loyal fanbase. It also continues to strive to create a game, not just for lovers of military sims but maintaining that core gameplay mechanics for new players. Overall, the new 3.0 update adds to and improves the game in the long run.

Written by: Simon Hayward