Highguard: Ex-Titanfall Devs Are Brewing Up a New Hero Shooter, But the Crystal Ball's a Bit Foggy
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Highguard, a new 'raid shooter' from ex-Titanfall and Apex Legends devs at Wildlight Entertainment, was unveiled at The Game Awards 2025 to a mixed reception, but its free-to-play model and swift January 26 launch might just give this fantasy FPS a fighting chance.
Right, so you know how sometimes you try to summon a powerful arcane beast, and instead you get... well, something that *looks* a bit like the beast, but is also wearing a funny hat and smells vaguely of old socks? That's kinda the vibe I'm getting from the latest reveal at The Game Awards 2025.
After a night of blockbuster announcements and the usual digital fanfare, Geoff Keighley – bless his digital heart – pulled out one last rabbit from the hat: **Highguard**. A brand-new IP, no less, and from a fresh studio called Wildlight Entertainment. Now, that's already intriguing, isn't it? Ditching the safe bet of an established franchise for a new kid on the block for the big finale? My curiosity spells are certainly tingling.
But here's where it gets really interesting, mate. Wildlight Entertainment isn't just *any* new studio. We're talking about a crew packing some serious firepower – 61 strong, apparently – who cut their teeth conjuring up absolute bangers like *Apex Legends* and *Titanfall* over at Respawn Entertainment. Now, if that doesn't make you sit up and take notice, I don't know what will. The pedigree alone suggests a deep understanding of slick FPS mechanics, satisfying movement, and the kind of gunplay that feels like pure magic in your hands. It's like finding out the master alchemists behind your favorite potions have started their own independent lab. What wondrous concoctions will they brew?
So, what exactly *is* this Highguard, apart from being developed by folks who know their way around a digital battlefield? It's being pitched as a fantasy FPS hero-shooter, which, fair dinkum, isn't exactly a groundbreaking genre these days. But they're calling it a "raid shooter," which instantly piques my interest. We're not just talking about another arena battler, seemingly. The concept goes like this: you've got your distinct cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities (think elemental powers, summoning companions, throwing electric spears like Hela herself in *Marvel Rivals* – quite the arsenal, actually). Then, from what I gather, you saddle up on horseback from your home base – a bit like the grand exits in *Paladins: Champions of the Realm*, which is a nice touch for a bit of epic flair – and go battling for possession of a powerful relic. This time, it's a sword called the Shieldbreaker.
And what do you do with this shiny, powerful sword, you ask? You use it to summon a giant battering ram. Yes, a *battering ram*. To then invade the enemy base. Bloody hell, that's certainly a twist! It hints at more objective-based play, maybe even some PvE elements mixed into the usual hero-shooter mayhem, which could be a delightful bit of chaotic innovation. Imagine coordinating your team's hero abilities to protect a massive siege weapon while fending off enemy players *and* environmental hazards. Sounds like a proper digital adventure, doesn't it?
However, every wizard knows that even the most potent spells can sometimes backfire, especially when the initial casting goes a bit wobbly. And the first impression of Highguard, judging by the public reaction to its debut trailer, has been... shall we say, a touch on the frosty side. At the time the original article was penned by Dalton Cooper over at Game Rant, the dislikes outnumbered the likes pretty significantly. Ouch. Many folks were quick to draw comparisons to Sony's ill-fated *Concord*, which, let's be honest, left a bit of a bitter taste in the hero-shooter market.
Now, is that fair? Perhaps not entirely. Being in the same genre doesn't automatically condemn you to the same fate, does it? Otherwise, *Overwatch* would have never taken off, and *Marvel Rivals* wouldn't be stirring up a storm. The shadow of past failures can be long, but sometimes it just takes a different angle, a fresh twist of the arcane dial. My inner optimist wants to believe that with the talent behind Wildlight, they're not just rehashing old spells; they're trying to weave something genuinely new, even if the first glimpse wasn't quite the show-stopper everyone hoped for.
And here's another curious little detail that might just work in its favor: **Highguard is launching on January 26th for PC, PS5, and Xbox, and it's going to be completely free-to-play.** A release barely a month after its announcement at The Game Awards? That's a bold move, like pulling a fully formed golem out of your hat rather than having to wait nine months for it to grow. On one hand, it means we won't be twiddling our thumbs for ages, getting hyped then slowly deflating. We can just dive in and see for ourselves, which, for a free-to-play game, significantly lowers the barrier to entry. On the other hand, it does make you wonder if such a quick turnaround means they're super confident, or if they're rushing to get it out before the hype (or lack thereof) fully settles.
Ultimately, the free-to-play model coupled with the Respawn pedigree could be the magic potion Highguard needs to overcome that rocky initial reception. It takes the sting out of trying something new, particularly in a genre where players are already a bit fatigued. Will it manage to turn public opinion around? Will the "raid shooter" mechanics prove to be the innovative twist we've been craving? Only time, and a good few hours of actual gameplay, will tell. But you can bet your last mana potion I'll be curious to see how this digital experiment shakes out next month. Here's hoping it's more Titanfall-level wizardry and less Concord-level arcane mishap.
Tags: Hero Shooter, Indie Game, FPS, Game Awards, Free-to-Play
Original article: Game Rant