Highguard Blends Familiar Shooter Mechanics Into a Surprisingly Solid Genre Mix
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Highguard combines mechanics from Rainbow Six Siege, Borderlands, and MOBAs into a surprisingly entertaining shooter experience, even if its generic aesthetic and safe character abilities hold it back from true greatness.
Wildlight Entertainment has officially entered the competitive shooter arena with Highguard, a game that wears its numerous influences on its sleeve. According to a recent breakdown by Rock Paper Shotgun, the title acts as a veritable greatest hits collection of modern multiplayer design. Matches begin with defensive base fortification reminiscent of Rainbow Six Siege, transition into early-game MOBA farming and loot gathering that feels straight out of Borderlands, and eventually evolve into high-stakes capture-the-flag skirmishes and objective-based bomb plants. While this approach risks feeling derivative, the resulting match flow actually manages to scratch an itch for players currently burnt out on standard battle royales and punishing extraction shooters.
The real strength of Highguard lies in its pacing and the competitive rivalries it fosters over the course of a match. Unlike the abrupt, one-and-done eliminations common in many modern multiplayer titles, Highguard structures its rounds to allow for breathing room, tactical comebacks, and recurring engagements with the same opposing squad. The gunplay delivers enough punch to make direct duels satisfying, and the tactical push-and-pull resembles the momentum shifts of a good Dota 2 match. When a team manages to weather a coordinated assault and turn the tide of a battle, the gameplay hits a genuinely engaging stride that rewards communication and map awareness.
At the same time, the title struggles to establish a distinct identity outside of its mechanical mashup. Critics note that the visual aesthetic and the launch roster of playable heroes lean heavily into generic fantasy territory, offering competent voice acting but very little memorable character design. Furthermore, the character abilities tend to rely on safe, predictable defensive tools rather than truly innovative movement mechanics. For players looking for a fresh spin on hero shooters, Highguard might not reinvent the wheel, but solid matchmaking and structurally sound gunfights make it a worthwhile detour for your regular gaming rotation.
Tags: Highguard, Wildlight Entertainment, FPS, Shooter, PC Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun