Highguard Hands-On Preview – Investment Policy

Dualshockers was invited to Los Angeles last week by Wildlight Entertainment to get hands-on experience with their latest offering. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse!

Okay, so everyone’s been talking about Highguard, especially after that trailer dropped at The Game Awards – it definitely caused a stir! Honestly, I was super curious, so I had to check it out for myself and see what all the hype – or, you know, the negativity – was about.

Okay, so I’ve seen all the trailers, checked out the concept art, and spent a whole afternoon actually playing the game. And honestly? I’m completely sold. I went in expecting to be underwhelmed, but I came away with a huge grin and a lot of faith in Wildlight Entertainment. They really got me excited!

Plus, Highguard is completely free! Still unsure? Let me give you a quick preview of what you can expect!

What is Highguard?

Dispelling the Doubt

Let me start by clarifying what Highguard isn’t: it’s definitely not your typical first-person shooter. In fact, it’s a team-based FPS built around raid-style gameplay. According to the developers, it’s a completely new approach to the genre – something truly innovative!

So, what exactly is a raid-style FPS? Let’s walk through a typical match to see how it works.

A Run-Through of a Match

At the start of the game, you and your two teammates will select one of eight unique Wardens, each possessing a special Tactical Ability, a Passive skill, and an Ultimate move. Then, a base will be randomly assigned, and you’ll begin playing on the map.

You’ll quickly choose two weapons to start with, plus one tool for destroying the enemy base. Before the action begins, you can also use materials to strengthen your base’s walls, making it more resistant to attacks. Once you’re ready, the game starts!

At the start of each match, you’ll have about two minutes to explore the map on horseback and prepare for battle. You can quickly search for blue chests containing armor and red chests with weapons. Alternatively, you can break blue Vesper crystals with your axe – these crystals are used to buy weapons and upgrades in the shop. Feel free to do a bit of both!

Okay, so when the timer hits zero, a “Shieldbreaker” spawns – and you’ll see exactly where on the map. I usually try to rush it, but you can also play it cool and let the other team go for it. If they do, it’s a perfect chance to ambush them while they’re distracted! Either way, get ready for a brawl – it’s almost guaranteed!

Using the Shieldbreaker allows you to build a Siege Tower, which breaks through the enemy team’s defenses and lets you attack their base. Once inside, you can either destroy the two generators powering the base, or go straight for the Anchor Stone to completely destroy it.

The defending team will do everything they can to protect their base and stop you from attacking. If they succeed, a new round starts with better equipment and more powerful choices. This cycle repeats until only one base remains.

Generally, depending on how many rounds there are, matches will go from around 10 to 30 minutes.

The Core Gameplay Loop

Okay, so Highguard is turning out to be way different than what most of us gamers thought it would be. The developers are totally aware of that, though, so we’re not alone in being surprised!

Seeing the second, more detailed trailer at the conference really made me understand the game’s potential. It’s clearly inspired by many different games – you can see influences from titles like [original game examples], but also elements of Minecraft Bedwars and even MOBAs.

The game is incredibly engaging because it constantly switches between preparing for battle, fighting other players, and then either attacking or defending your own base. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and prevents it from becoming repetitive.

The game’s structure creates a dynamic back-and-forth, where matches constantly shift and players compete for dominance. You can showcase your abilities through precise shooting and skillful use of the diverse characters.

Several of my recent games were incredibly close, and the final moments – desperately defending our base – were truly amazing. That intense feeling is definitely addictive. It makes me wonder if this could be something big in the world of Esports.

The Wardens of Highguard

Let’s talk about the Wardens in Highguard. Even though the game centers around gunplay, the Warden you choose really shapes how the match unfolds and how you play with your team.

When the game starts, you’ll be able to choose from eight unique Wardens, each with different strengths. Some, like Atticus, are powerful Attackers, designed to quickly overwhelm opponents and secure victory with their special Ultimate abilities.

Some of my recent games were incredibly close, and defending our base in those final moments was a truly amazing experience. That intense feeling is definitely addictive. It makes me wonder if this could be something big for Esports.

Alternatively, you might prefer a more protective Warden like Kai. He can build massive ice walls to strengthen his base and use his Inner Demon to stop enemies from getting close.

The game also features characters designed to support the team, like Mara, who can set up locations for her teammates to reappear, and Condor, who uses her pet bird to find enemies and create concealing smoke. Honestly, the Wardens just have a fantastic look!

Okay, so these characters can do some really cool things, but those abilities take a while to recharge. Honestly, the game still feels like it’s all about skillful shooting, which I love! And if you’re thinking eight Wardens doesn’t sound like much, don’t worry – the developers have promised us even more are coming soon, which is awesome.

A Glimpse of the Guns

Even though I’m not usually a big fan of shooting games, I really enjoyed Highguard. It’s a fantastic shooter.

These weapons are easy to handle and hit hard. Each shot sounds incredibly impactful, and the sound design is fantastic. Although there are only ten weapons available at the start, I never found myself getting tired of them. You can upgrade each weapon and switch between them during a match, which keeps things interesting.

The best gun to use changes depending on what part of the match you’re in and which character you’re playing. Luckily, every weapon is useful in some situation, so you won’t find any that are completely pointless.

Need a weapon for long-distance fighting? The Ranger Rifle is a great choice. Prefer getting up close and personal? Try the Kraken Shotgun or the Dynasty Assault Rifle. Ultimately, pick the weapon that best suits how you like to play.

In the shop, you can improve your armor, and you’ll also discover helpful items that give you lasting advantages, like the ability to quickly revive teammates or even hold onto your armor after being defeated. These small decisions add variety to every match, making the game constantly feel new and interesting.

The World and Its Beauty

Let’s take a step back for a moment. We’ve been focusing on how the games are played and the exciting final battles in raids, but it’s also important to consider the game world itself.

This game is visually stunning. The environments are beautifully designed and tell a story all on their own, captivating you as you play. You’ll explore diverse landscapes, and throughout your journey, the characters will constantly chat, revealing pieces of the game’s history and their individual personalities.

The game doesn’t have a ton of story details yet, but that’s intentional. The developers are prioritizing a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience first. They plan to expand on the game’s world and characters based on what players want and enjoy.

The best gun to use changes based on what part of the match you’re in and which character you’re playing. Luckily, every weapon is useful in some situation, so you won’t find any that are completely useless.

Honestly, I’m really hooked on learning about the Wardens and how this whole world even came to be. It’s a super interesting mystery!

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The team has clearly invested a lot of creativity into the world of Highguard, crafting detailed backstories for everything from the maps and Wardens to the weapons. I was also impressed to see a life-sized replica of the Shieldbreaker – the bright blue sword – on display at the conference; it was truly a remarkable sight.

Get ready for an amazing experience – the developers have a whole year’s worth of new content planned and ready to go.

Team Philosophy

What really stands out to me about this game is that it’s going to be completely free to play. With so many games costing $60 or even $100, Wildlight is taking a big risk by releasing it for free. But I genuinely believe it will be a success.

Naturally, the game needs to generate revenue. They do this by offering a wide variety of cosmetic items like stylish character skins, unique mounts, banners, and a War Chest – essentially a Battle Pass with rewards you unlock as you play.

The most important thing is that all core gameplay elements will always be free. You won’t have to pay to unlock characters, maps, or weapons, and you won’t be able to buy an advantage. Everything you need to enjoy the game will be accessible to everyone, and all cosmetic items will also be available to all players. We want to assure you there will be no ‘fear of missing out’ on limited-time items!

These character skins aren’t just cosmetic; they’re thoughtfully designed to fit each character’s story and the game’s world. This attention to detail makes them really appealing and adds to the overall experience.

I’m really impressed with Highguard right now. If you want a stable, well-developed PvP game to invest in for the long haul, I highly recommend checking it out.

Highguard is now available to play on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5! I’ll be online playing as Slade, so look out for me – see you in the game!

2026-01-26 21:12