Even though some hardcore veteran gamers may argue that Maze War (1974) was the first FPS to be released, in reality, it was not until 1992 when the first true FPS was born in the shape of Wolfenstein 3D. The FPS genre has drastically changed since those early days (for better or worse), and nowadays, many FPS titles are part of a massive competitive scene that has players compete for prize money. And while some FPS series like Call of Duty and Battlefield have slowly drifted away from the tactical style combat, some indie games still bring honor to the FPS name.
One such game is Squad, a first-person shooter that sprouted from a mod from Battlefield 2 and has continued to provide players with MilSim-style gameplay. But, Squad is far more advanced than most modern FPS as it uses unique gameplay elements that transform into an intense tactical shooter that requires lots of practice and patience to master.
6 Communication Is Needed
Even though communication is the key to victory for most FPS like Call of Duty: Warzone, most players avoid it since they think it's unnecessary. But, in Squad, communication is part of its core elements since players must coordinate with their team if they want to succeed in a match. Players don't have to learn an extensive list of callouts but should know the most important ones since they can save a teammate's life, like enemy types, vehicles, or locations.
And while players can type into a chatbox, the best and fastest way to communicate with the squad is through a mic. Of course, players should limit their communication to callouts and avoid talking too much as it can distract other squad members. If a squad member is being toxic, then players should mute and report them as they won't contribute anything to the match except frustration, but that isn't as common in Squad as in other FPS titles.
5 Practice At The Shooting Range
Some players may say that the best way to learn the gameplay mechanics is on-the-go while in a public match, but in reality, players can become well acquainted with Squad by practicing in the shooting range (a feature that has been long forgotten on other FPS titles). Within this area, players can try out all the guns, kits, and vehicles the game has to offer without any restrictions.
Players can also learn more about Deployables (Mortars, Ammo Crates, etc.) and the Logistic System, which are crucial game mechanics that can change the tide in a match. Moreover, players can fine-tune the keybinds to their liking as the default one can be a little tricky to learn.
4 Don't Be Afraid To Be A Newbie
Undoubtedly, Squad isn't an average FPS title like Battlefield or DOOM since many of its features draw elements from realistic combat. So, newcomers to the game shouldn't feel afraid to inform their squad that they're new to the game. For the most part, when the Squad Leader knows a player is new to the game, they'll direct them to do more manageable tasks or have someone coach them.
Moreover, a new player should avoid choosing Kit Roles that are difficult to handle, like the Raider or Marksman. Instead, newer players should pick the Rifleman as it's the easiest Kit Role to use in a match. Above all, newbies should listen to their Squad Leader and always ask them before performing any action.
3 Learn To Adapt
Due to Squad's intense gameplay, there will be times that players will need to adapt to new dangers, from an incoming barrage of mortars to enemy vehicles. That's when players need to be ready to change their Kit Role (if they die) if the Squad Leader demands it. But, of course, players should use a Kit Role that they're familiar with, as using one unknown to them can be detrimental to the team.
If a player joins a match that has already started, they should check with the Squad Leader what roles need to be filled. Most importantly, players should avoid leaving a game simply because they can't use the Kit Role they enjoy playing, and doing that may warrant a ban from the server (similar to other FPS games).
2 Kills Don't Win Matches
One of the most prominent issues with modern FPS games is that most players don't play the objective, which costs a win for the team. But, in Squad playing the objective is the only way to win a match, as most game modes are objective-based. For example, Advance and Secure is a Capture Point-style game mode where players must attack or capture points until the other team runs out of tickets.
Furthermore, player kills don't affect the ticket count, meaning going Rambo isn't an effective tactic. The only way players can reduce the ticket count of the opposing team is by capturing a point of interest, which also gives the attacking squad 60 tickets.
1 No Friendly Fire
One characteristic that closely resembles other MilSim games like the Battlefield 3 Reality Mod is that friendly fire is always on, meaning that accidentally shooting a squad mate will kill them. Even though some players may find it funny, killing a squadmate in Squad will not only place a player on a fast track to the blacklist of banned players but also cause the team to lose tickets.
So, players must always keep aware of where their squadmates are and ensure that they're not in the line of fire. If a player unintentionally kills a squadmate, then the Squad Leader must evaluate if it was an accident.
Squad is available now for Microsoft Windows.