Highguard: A Fresh FPS Experience Beyond Online Criticism

Let’s momentarily put aside the negative buzz that surrounds Highguard, ignoring the barrage of critical Steam reviews from players with minimal gameplay experience. Instead, let’s view Highguard as a brand-new free-to-play first-person shooter that just launched.

Highguard is officially out. I dedicated around six hours to it, both during its release and a preview event in Los Angeles last week. The game features impressive gun mechanics, an intriguing 3v3 mode that stands out from the crowd, and a monetization strategy that feels less exploitative compared to many other free shooters. While it’s enjoyable, I’m not completely sold on it.

Kudos to Wildlight Entertainment, a studio comprised primarily of former Respawn employees, for crafting a unique format that defies simple categorization. They refer to it as a “raid shooter,” which is fitting since success hinges on demolishing the opposing team’s base.

Gameplay Dynamics

Highguard matches unfold on a spacious map occupied by only six players—two teams of three. Each team begins in their stronghold, reinforcing its vulnerable walls, before embarking on a quest to scavenge for resources across the map. This phase resembles a condensed battle royale, where players rush to acquire superior weapons and armor, typically avoiding direct confrontations until later.

Combat tends to erupt once the Swordbreaker, an actual sword, appears in the center of the arena. Whichever team secures it first and transports it to the enemy’s stronghold initiates a siege. Unlike the traditional battle royale mechanics that force teams together by narrowing the play area, the Shieldbreaker serves as a natural focal point, drawing players towards it.

With the appearance of the Shieldbreaker, the focus shifts entirely. Wildlight aptly describes this initial match phase as “reverse capture the flag,” and it has quickly become my favorite aspect. The struggle for control over the glowing sword generates genuine tension, particularly since the distance between the spawn point and each base allows for strategic ambushes.

Siege Mechanics and Complexity

Once a siege commences, the pace of Highguard decelerates significantly. Players put away their mounts, with defenders taking strategic positions to oversee the action. The engagement rules transform into a bomb defusal format reminiscent of Rainbow Six Siege, featuring both destructible and indestructible walls.

To achieve victory, teams must destroy two generators or a single, more challenging core. If attackers fail to inflict sufficient damage before exhausting their lives, the match resets for another round focused on the Shieldbreaker. While it may sound intricate, it undeniably functions well. After several matches of grappling with the rules, I eventually grasped the distinctive tug-of-war dynamic and discovered a hero character I enjoyed playing.

Personal Impressions

Nonetheless, I find myself disengaging from Highguard for reasons unrelated to its innovative gameplay. The “arcane punk” art style does not resonate with me, and I find it frustrating to deplete entire magazines on foes merely to break through their shields, reminiscent of the experience in Apex Legends. Moreover, the chaos during the siege phase makes it challenging to follow the action.

Above all, the timing of Highguard’s release feels off for my personal preferences. Over the past year, I have gravitated towards more relaxed, multi-mode shooters, both classic and contemporary. For instance, after spending a full day with Highguard in Los Angeles, I returned home to enjoy hours of the indie arena shooter Out of Action, which I found to be far more engaging.

The popularity of titles like Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders suggests I am not alone in this sentiment. We appear to be experiencing a shift towards less intense, more social shooting experiences. Whether it’s due to hero shooter fatigue or a natural evolution of tastes that may eventually circle back, Highguard hasn’t sparked my interest. I’ll continue to play it for review purposes, but I doubt it will become a staple in my gaming routine.