Highguard: Raid Combat Across a Mythical Continent

Highguard is Wildlight Entertainment’s ambitious attempt to reshape competitive shooters by blending large-scale raid combat with fantasy-driven warfare. Set during the dwindling age of magic, the game drops players into control of a mythical continent filled with vast uncharted lands, magical storms, and fortified enemy strongholds. Rather than focusing on short matches, Highguard revolves around extended conflicts where preparation, territory control, and coordinated sieges define victory.

Developed by the new studio Wildlight Entertainment, Highguard launched with high expectations — and equally loud reactions — after its controversial reveal. Yet beneath the noise lies a game built around a distinctive raid loop that combines open maps, resource harvesting, and full-scale fortress assaults.

Highguard’s Core Setting and World Design

The world of Highguard is built around the vast mythical landscapes of Highguard, a continent fractured by ancient magic and endless warfare. Each match takes place across open maps featuring ruined fortresses, open fields, magical generators, and fortified bases of operations.

Players compete for dominance over different locations, each offering strategic advantages such as access to loot, siege tools, or defensive chokepoints. Strange magical storms periodically sweep across the open field, altering visibility and creating new vulnerabilities for both attackers and defenders.

Every map supports multiple array of unique strongholds, ensuring no two raids feel identical. This emphasis on terrain control reinforces the game’s core fantasy: warbands clashing over the fate of a collapsing magical world.

Wardens, Gameplay Abilities, and Play Style Variety

Players step into the role of a Warden, each equipped with a distinct warden ability and combat specialization. Some Wardens excel at siege stealth and infiltration, while others dominate open combat with heavy weapons like a rocket launcher or powerful magical arsenals.

This diversity encourages varied play styles, whether players prefer long-range lookout roles, aggressive attackers, or stealth-focused invaders. Rare magical abilities can dramatically shift momentum during a single raid, especially when combined with coordinated team tactics.

The Game’s Unique Loop Explained

At the heart of Highguard lies its game’s unique loop, which unfolds in clearly defined phases:

Phase One: Preparation and Resource Control

Each match begins in the open world, where teams harvest resources, search for loot, and secure early advantages. Players explore vast uncharted lands in search of loot items, armor, shields, and weapons to expand their arsenal.

During this phase, rival teams may clash in skirmishes, but the true objective is assembling the tools needed for siege warfare.

The Shieldbreaker and Siege Tower Mechanics

The central objective in Highguard is gaining possession of the legendary Shieldbreaker, a powerful raid tool used to breach enemy fortresses. Once claimed, the Shieldbreaker transforms into a massive siege tower, fueled by the energy of the siege tower itself.

The Shieldbreaker marks the transition to the next phase of gameplay: a full base assault.

Wildlight has already teased new shieldbreaker forms coming in future updates, expanding how teams approach base destruction and siege combat.

Shooter Raid Combat and Base Assaults

Once activated, the Shieldbreaker allows the invading team to launch a coordinated raid on the enemy base. This is where Highguard truly distinguishes itself.

Enemy bases feature layered defenses, including:

• Outer shields of the enemy base
• Enemy base shields
• A fortified base’s outer superstructure
• Internal generators powering shield systems

Attackers must break through these layers while defenders attempt outer shields repair, enemy base shields repair, and emergency base repair operations to hold the line.

This creates intense raid combat scenarios where timing, positioning, and coordinated attacks decide success or failure.

Fortress Defense, Infiltration, and Vulnerabilities

Defending teams aren’t passive. Fortress layouts include multiple infiltration points, disposal zones, and fallback positions. Smart defenders exploit vulnerabilities in siege towers, target generators, and disrupt attackers before they reach the inner fortress.

Stealth-focused Wardens specialize in infiltration, sneaking behind enemy lines to sabotage systems or assassinate key attackers. Meanwhile, lookout players provide battlefield awareness, tracking invaders across open maps.

Loot, Arsenal, and Progression

Throughout each raid, players continue their search of loot, collecting weapons, armor, and rare magical items. These upgrades directly impact survivability and damage output, making loot management a critical skill.

The game’s arsenal includes traditional firearms, magical enhancements, shields, and siege-specific tools. Successful raids reward high-tier loot that carries over, encouraging repeated play and long-term progression.

Rival Warden Crews and Match Flow

Every match pits a rival Warden crew against another, creating persistent tension from the opening moments to the final base breach. Unlike short PvP matches, Highguard emphasizes sustained conflict, where momentum can shift multiple times within a single raid.

Some matches last only a single month in early testing cycles, but Wildlight has confirmed a steady cadence of updates, including new maps and a new episode planned shortly after launch.

Launch Reception and Developer Commentary

Following its reveal at The Game Awards, Highguard faced immediate backlash. Last week, Wildlight executives acknowledged that expectations may have been misaligned with audience perception.

The developer Wildlight Entertainment later explained that the team originally planned a softer release approach, allowing players to discover the game organically rather than judging it solely on trailers.

Despite the criticism, Wildlight remains committed to refining systems, expanding content, and responding to player feedback.

What’s Next for Highguard?

Future updates aim to deepen raid mechanics, introduce additional Shieldbreaker variants, and expand fortress design options. The studio has also hinted at new roles, expanded siege stealth options, and enhanced base customization.

With continued iteration, Highguard could evolve into a standout PvP experience defined by its scale, strategy, and layered combat.

Final Thoughts

Highguard is not a traditional shooter. It’s a raid-focused PvP game built around sieges, territory control, and extended combat across mythical landscapes. While its launch sparked controversy, its systems offer something rare: a shooter where preparation, defense, and large-scale assaults truly matter.

Whether Highguard becomes a long-term success will depend on Wildlight’s ability to refine balance, expand content, and win back skeptical players — but its foundation is undeniably ambitious.

FAQ

Where Can I Buy or Download Highguard?

Highguard is available as a free-to-play download on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players can download Highguard directly from Steam, the PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Store, depending on their platform. No upfront purchase is required, and all core gameplay content is accessible at launch.

Does Highguard Have Multiplayer or Co-Op Features?

Yes, Highguard is built entirely around multiplayer gameplay. Every match features team-based PvP raid combat, where a rival Warden crew faces off against an enemy team in large-scale sieges. While there is no traditional PvE co-op mode, coordinated teamwork is essential for attacking, defending, and surviving raids.

Tips for Beginners Starting in Highguard

New players should focus first on learning Highguard’s game’s unique loop rather than chasing early fights. Prioritize harvesting resources, looting armor and shields, and understanding your Warden ability. Stick with teammates, avoid solo pushes during raids, and learn how enemy base shields and outer defenses function before committing to a full siege.

What Are the System Requirements for Running Highguard on PC?

To run Highguard on PC, players need a modern Windows system that supports Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, as the game relies on anti-cheat protections. A dedicated GPU, at least 16 GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive are recommended to ensure stable performance during large-scale raid combat and siege scenarios.

Is There an Official Walkthrough or Tutorial for Highguard?

Highguard includes an in-game tutorial that introduces core mechanics such as movement, combat, resource gathering, and Shieldbreaker usage. While there is no full campaign walkthrough, Wildlight Entertainment has published official gameplay guides and beginner tips through launch showcases and developer videos to help new players understand raid combat and base assaults.