Highguard rolls out today on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game combines mounted traversal, hero abilities, and raid-style PvP in a free-to-play 3v3 shooter format.
Revealed during The Game Awards and developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a new studio formed by veterans from Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty, Highguard is built around coordinated raids rather than traditional deathmatches or battle royale modes. Matches emphasize preparation, base defense, and timed assaults.
Here’s everything you need to know before jumping in.
What Is the Core Idea Behind Highguard?
Highguard uses a raid-based structure where two teams of three build bases, gather resources, and launch coordinated attacks on each other’s fortresses. The design mixes planning, exploration, and direct combat, with an emphasis on timing and teamwork.
Wardens, the game’s playable heroes, each have unique abilities and ultimates that affect both offense and defense. Mounts such as horses, panthers, gryphons, and armoured bears are integrated into gameplay and used for map traversal, objective control, and repositioning. These systems make mobility and coordination central to how matches unfold.
Rather than focusing on repeated firefights, Highguard places weight on base layouts, gear upgrades, and coordinated pushes. The structure encourages teams to think about pacing and resource management alongside traditional shooting mechanics.
How Matches Play on Highguard
Matches begin with a preparation phase inside each team’s base. Players gather resources, upgrade equipment, and plan their approach. As the match progresses, the Shieldbreaker, a high-value objective, spawns and becomes a focal point for raids on enemy fortresses.
Wardens’ abilities and mounts play a key role during these phases, shaping both offensive pushes and defensive setups. The result is a loop that alternates between setup and execution, with an emphasis on teamwork and positioning.
Live-Service Roadmap and What’s Next
Highguard is launching as a free-to-play title on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with full cross-play support. Wildlight plans to support the game through a live-service model built around two-month chapters and monthly updates focused on new gameplay content.
According to the studio, future updates will introduce new Wardens, maps, bases, weapons, raid tools, and additional game modes. Ranked play is expected to arrive in the first major update following launch, with experimental modes also being tested internally.
Conclusion
Highguard surprised me, and not just because of its mounts, magic, or siege mechanics. It surprised me because it feels like a shooter that’s genuinely trying something new in a genre that often plays it safe.
For players looking for an alternative to standard deathmatch or battle royale structures, Highguard offers a different approach. How well it retains players will likely depend on how effectively the raid structure, balance, and live-service updates hold up over time.
Emmanuel Umahi
