HIGHGUARD launched into chaos. Within days of its reveal, it hit massive concurrent player numbers and equally massive backlash. Steam reviews dipped into “Mostly Negative,” servers buckled under demand, and comparisons to failed hero shooters flooded social media.
Two weeks later, the noise has faded. What remains is the game itself.
After spending over twenty hours mastering multiple Wardens and rotating through both competitive modes, one thing is clear. HIGHGUARD is not broken at its core. It is confused.
Gunplay Carries Clear Respawn DNA
The strongest argument in HIGHGUARD’s favor is how it feels to play.
Movement is fluid and confident. Sliding into combat, chaining jumps, and transitioning onto mounts like the Arcane Bear never feels clumsy. Weapons have weight. Shots land with authority.
If you ever admired the tactile snap of Titanfall or the responsive pacing of Apex Legends, the lineage is obvious.
However, cracks appear once looting begins. The inventory system is barebones. There are no attachments to meaningfully alter playstyles. Rarity gating ensures top-tier gear only appears late, which flattens early decision-making.
Gunplay excels. Progression feels restrained.
The 3v3 vs 5v5 Identity Problem Nearly Sank the Game
At launch, HIGHGUARD pushed 3v3 as its primary competitive experience.
On paper, it sounded focused. In practice, it felt empty. Large maps swallowed three-player squads, turning engagements into awkward chases instead of tactical fights.
That changed abruptly on February 3, when the developers made 5v5 Raid Mode permanent.
This single decision reshaped the game.
With ten players, objectives matter. Wardens collide. Ultimates overlap. Shieldbreaker sword fights turn into chaotic brawls instead of isolated duels. HIGHGUARD finally feels alive.
There is a cost, though. Performance suffers. On PlayStation 5 and mid-range PCs, frame drops become noticeable when multiple ultimates trigger simultaneously. The chaos is thrilling, but optimization struggles to keep up.
The “Concord” Comparison Misses the Real Issue
Online discourse rushed to label HIGHGUARD as “another Concord.”
That comparison does not hold up.
Unlike true flops, HIGHGUARD peaked near 100,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. People showed up. They stayed long enough to form opinions. That matters.
The problem is not apathy. It is friction.
Players enjoy the shooting but fight the structure. They want faster pacing, clearer identity, and smoother performance. Those are fixable issues, not fatal ones.
Review at a Glance
| Feature | Score | The Baskingamer Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Gunplay & Movement | 9 / 10 | Best-in-class feel |
| Match Pacing | 5 / 10 | Early phases drag |
| Performance | 4 / 10 | Needs optimization |
| Value Model | 10 / 10 | Accessible and fair |
Final Score: 6.5 / 10
Who HIGHGUARD Is Actually For
HIGHGUARD rewards players who enjoy mastering systems rather than chasing instant spectacle.
If you prefer methodical positioning, coordinated team pushes, and learning hero interactions, there is depth here. If you expect immediate chaos and constant dopamine hits, frustration sets in quickly.
This explains the divided reaction.
The game does not clearly communicate who it wants to be.
Is HIGHGUARD Worth Playing Now?
For players who bounced off early reviews, the answer depends on patience.
The core mechanics are strong. The move to permanent 5v5 shows the developers are willing to pivot decisively. However, performance issues and pacing flaws remain unresolved.
HIGHGUARD feels like a game waiting for its Episode 2 moment—a patch that commits fully to its strengths instead of hedging.
Final Verdict on HIGHGUARD
HIGHGUARD is not a hero shooter disaster.
It is a mechanically excellent shooter trapped inside an over-designed framework. When it works, it feels outstanding. When it doesn’t, it feels exhausting.
If Wildlight Entertainment embraces the chaos of 5v5, streamlines early matches, and stabilizes performance, HIGHGUARD could still become a fixture in 2026’s multiplayer lineup.
Right now, it is a promising shooter asking for one more chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HIGHGUARD failing?
No. Player interest remains high, but design issues are holding it back.
Which mode is better, 3v3 or 5v5?
5v5. The game clearly shines with more players.
Is performance stable on PS5?
Not consistently, especially during large fights.
Does HIGHGUARD feel like Titanfall?
In movement and gun feel, yes. In structure, no.
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