Forefront is the upcoming title from the creators of Breachers, so it’s no wonder that it impresses so much. For two entire years, a group of friends and I engaged in Breachers every Friday night. It was the highlight of my week, and the game’s consistent updates meant it took us a full two years to finally stop playing. Since then, we’ve struggled to find a game that everyone enjoyed, but that’s about to change with the launch of Forefront.
Naturally, Forefront comes from the same developers as Breachers. Just like Breachers drew inspiration from the Rainbow Six franchise, Forefront takes cues from titles such as Battlefield and PUBG, while still maintaining a distinctive and intense atmosphere that only VR can offer.
I recently tried the final release version of the game alongside numerous YouTubers and gaming journalists, and I can confidently say this is poised to be the next major multiplayer VR sensation; I truly mean it. By the conclusion of the three matches we played, no one was left unenthusiastic or without a request for more.
It’s a sensation I haven’t felt since Breachers debuted. Although I’ve enjoyed various other (and remarkable) multiplayer VR games since then, this is the one that will draw me back into regular sessions with my friends, and I’m genuinely thrilled about it.
Set in the year 2035, Forefront immerses players in 32-player battle arenas, competing for control of multiple strategic locations within two game modes. It embodies the spirit of classics like Battlefield and Tribes while incorporating a host of unique mechanics designed for VR headsets and is available on Steam VR and Meta Quest platforms, with a PSVR 2 version coming soon.
As would be expected from a game of this nature, players can select one of four classes, each offering unique traits and gear. Whether you pick Assault, Medic, Engineer, or Sniper, you’ll have the opportunity to operate various vehicles, including jet skis, helicopters, ATVs, tanks, and beyond.
Every vehicle accommodates multiple players, and many allow occupants to utilize heavy artillery or other specialized equipment while on the move. The environments are semi-destructible, featuring numerous structures that can have their walls blown apart, along with other barriers that can be dismantled to create new attack routes.
Having invested countless hours into Tribes 2 and Battlefield 1942, it’s been some time since I’ve genuinely enjoyed a game in this category. While I’ve sampled several similar games over the past two decades since those classics, few have captivated me in the way that Forefront has.
Curiously, I experienced something similar with Breachers, as the last comparable game I engaged with was Rainbow Six 3 on the original Xbox. Clearly, I once relished these types of team-oriented multiplayer games, and though there was a period when that interest waned, it seems to have returned, aided by the immersion that only VR offers.
The ability to physically control vehicles, take cover behind walls, scale towers, and clap paddles together to revive a teammate just feels distinct. Actively participating in an action feels fundamentally different than watching an on-screen avatar perform it, and it’s that distinction that has revitalized my enthusiasm for these games once more.
It certainly helps that VR games like Forefront streamline communication effortlessly. All the necessary tools for conversing with my teammates are integrated into the headset—no cumbersome keyboard menus to navigate, and no tech hassles to configure a microphone either. You can strategize with your teammates using just your voice, and they will hear you clearly.
Forefront has been in early access for several months now, and the leap from this version 1.0 release to the original version is quite significant. The odd lag or minor glitches in earlier builds have been eliminated, replaced with a remarkably fluid game that accommodates 32 players amidst Battlefield-sized levels, all without stuttering or lag. This is why I appreciate gaming on consoles like the Quest 3, and it’s fantastic to witness something crafted so well!
Developer Triangle Factory also launched a combat bow with this version 1.0 release, and I’m thrilled with how it performs. Bows have always been my weapon of choice in VR, thanks to their highly tactile feel, and this one tends to secure instant kills as long as you draw back sufficiently on the string.
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as launching an arrow across the devastated town square, taking down an enemy in the blink of an eye. It’s significantly more satisfying than using a firearm, even if guns are generally more effective.
I thoroughly enjoyed driving vehicles, but I understand if some players prefer a designated driver. If you’re susceptible to motion sickness at
