Highguard Review: A Polished Raid Shooter That Defies Expectations
Highguard, the unexpected mic drop reveal at The Game Awards in December, has arrived from the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall. Despite initial scepticism and over 17,000 YouTube dislikes on its reveal trailer, this free-to-play shooter proves to be a slick, accomplished experience that blends familiar elements into something genuinely unique.
Gameplay Mechanics and Structure
Wildlight describes Highguard as a 'raid shooter', featuring a three-part structure in its 3v3 matches. Players begin by fortifying their base's generators with destructible walls during a one-minute preparation phase. The second phase involves mounting horses, panthers, or bears to explore semi-large-scale maps, looting for better weapons and harvesting crystal materials for upgrades.
The pivotal moment comes with the appearance of the Shieldbreaker sword, which teams must carry to enemy bases to initiate the final Raid phase. Successfully planting this weapon creates a portal for a Siege Tower to breach enemy defences, delivering what developers describe as 'one of the biggest endorphin rushes in recent shooter memory'.
Mount-Based Combat and Unique Features
Highguard distinguishes itself through mount-based combat that changes the pace of firefights. Mounts spawn instantly via double-tap, eliminating awkward retrieval mechanics. The game incorporates satisfying minigames, including crystal mining with timing-based mechanics reminiscent of Gears of War's active reload system.
Character-specific powers range from lightning spears to beast-like transformations, while the blend of tactical base defence and chaotic mounted sprints creates memorable moments. However, the visual presentation proves somewhat forgettable, with generic character designs and maps that lack distinctive flair despite polished medieval fantasy aesthetics.
Balance and Longevity Concerns
Early balance issues include armour stacking significantly affecting time-to-kill, occasionally creating confusing encounters where opponents feel like damage sponges. The developers promise all future content – including maps, characters, and modes – will be entirely free, with revenue coming primarily from cosmetic items.
While the gameplay loop proves consistently engaging, questions remain about long-term retention in an oversaturated market. With a full year of DLC already in development and new content episodes promised every two months, Highguard shows promising foundations despite its visual shortcomings.
The shooter successfully combines elements from Rainbow Six Siege, MOBAs, and battle royale titles into a cohesive package that surprises those expecting conventional fare. Whether it maintains interest beyond the honeymoon period will become clearer in coming weeks, but for now, Highguard delivers a compelling first impression through its unique assembly of familiar components.
