After a lukewarm reveal at The Game Awards, I didn’t expect much from Highguard, the latest hero shooter from Wildlight Entertainment. But after five hours of hands-on gameplay at a pre-release event, it’s clear this title has serious potential. Between polished gunplay, a diverse cast of characters, and a standout new mode, Highguard might just carve its niche in the crowded competitive shooter space.
Raid Mode: The Showstopper
Highguard combines familiar FPS elements—hero-based abilities and a simplified loot system—with a standout multiplayer mode: Raid Mode. Here, two teams of three battle to invade and destroy each other’s base in fast-paced, chaotic sieges. Inspired by survival games like Rust, Raid Mode condenses the tension of large-scale PvP assaults into 8–30 minute matches, depending on player skill and coordination.
Matches are broken into three phases. First, the defensive phase lets teams set up their base and choose starting loadouts. Next, the exploration phase encourages looting weapons, armor, and upgrades from nearby chests. The highlight, however, is the Intercept phase: a powerful sword called the Shieldbreaker spawns, prompting both teams to clash as they try to seize it and advance to the final Raid phase. During this climactic stage, the invading team tears down shields and attempts to destroy key structures, turning each match into a thrilling, high-stakes confrontation.
The structured phases keep players focused, avoiding the chaos of juggling too many objectives at once. While loot scaling could use tweaks—both teams often end up equally geared—the system ensures constant progression and maintains competitive balance.
Gunplay and Combat Feel
Combat in Highguard is instantly satisfying, thanks to the team’s experience on Titanfall and Apex Legends. Weapons are limited but finely tuned, with higher-tier gear offering interesting modifiers like faster reloads or stability boosts. Whether sniping from a distance or engaging in close-quarters combat, the shooting mechanics feel crisp and responsive, capturing the intensity and thrill of modern hero shooters.
Diverse Wardens
Players choose from eight Wardens, each with unique abilities and ultimate powers. Characters range from lightning-wielding DPS units to ice magic users capable of area control. Abilities add strategic depth, allowing for creative offensive and defensive plays, such as making walls intangible for tactical maneuvers or summoning barriers to control choke points. Though the hero formula is familiar, Highguard excels in making each character feel exciting to master.
Siege Mechanics and Base Design
What really distinguishes Highguard is its Raid mode siege gameplay. Teams select bases with distinct layouts, strengths, and weaknesses. For example, a volcanic fortress offers long sightlines but dangerous lava moats, while a multi-level stronghold favors ambush tactics. Attackers have tools like ziplines and rocket launchers to breach defenses, while defenders must strategically reinforce walls and control chokepoints. The tension of planning and executing these raids, combined with the visual spectacle of destructible bases, makes for some of the most thrilling FPS moments I’ve experienced in recent years.
Mounts and Map Exploration
Outside of raids, players can traverse the map on mounts, essential for fast movement during the exploration and Shieldbreaker phases. While they provide mobility advantages, mounts also make players vulnerable targets, adding a layer of risk and strategy.
Areas for Improvement
The biggest gap in Highguard’s current build is the lack of PvE content. The exploration phase feels empty aside from supply drops, missing opportunities for engaging environmental threats or bosses. While PvP encounters are exciting, adding AI-controlled challenges could make the world feel more alive and rewarding.
Final Thoughts
Highguard succeeds by blending polished FPS mechanics with a unique, structured multiplayer mode. Raid Mode delivers an adrenaline-pumping mix of strategy, skill, and spectacle, while the Warden roster ensures diverse and replayable gameplay. There are some areas for improvement—loot scaling and PvE content—but what I played shows promise for a shooter that could stand out in 2026. If Wildlight continues refining the experience, Highguard may be one of the most compelling new entries in the hero shooter genre.
