Highguard has arrived on Steam with a thunderous crash,both in player numbers and critical reception. The free-to-play 3v3 raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, a studio composed of former Apex Legends and Titanfall developers, launched with minimal fanfare but attracted nearly 100,000 concurrent players. Unfortunately, those players quickly flooded the game's Steam page with overwhelmingly negative reviews.
The game peaked at 97,249 concurrent players shortly after launch before settling around 73,000 players. Despite the impressive initial turnout, Highguard currently sits with an Overwhelmingly Negative rating on Steam after accumulating over 2,500 reviews. The harsh reception marks a dramatic turn for a title that generated significant buzz after its surprise reveal at The Game Awards 2025.
Highguard 3v3 raid shooter gameplay
Performance Problems Plague Launch Day
The most common complaint centers on severe optimization issues affecting players across various hardware configurations. Many users report that even high-end gaming rigs struggle to maintain stable framerates, creating a frustrating experience for players attempting to engage in the fast-paced tactical combat.
Here's the thing,when you're launching a competitive multiplayer shooter, smooth performance is non-negotiable. The technical problems have overshadowed what could have been a more positive reception for the game's innovative raid mechanics.
Wildlight Entertainment released a comprehensive gameplay showcase on launch day, finally revealing details about the game's systems after weeks of near-total silence following The Game Awards announcement. The showcase demonstrated how Highguard blends elements of MOBAs, survival shooters, and capture the flag mechanics into what the developers call a "raid shooter" experience.
The 3v3 Format Controversy
Beyond performance concerns, players have voiced significant criticism about the game's 3v3 team format. Many argue that six total players feels insufficient for the game's expansive maps, creating long stretches of downtime between encounters.
What most players miss is that Highguard was designed around intimate, tactical engagements rather than large-scale battles. The developers intentionally moved away from standard 4v4 or 5v5 formats, but the execution hasn't resonated with the player base at launch.
Massive maps with limited players
The core gameplay loop involves:
- Building defenses at your team's chosen base
- Gathering resources and looting across the open world
- Competing for the Shield Breaker, a powerful artifact that enables base raids
- Launching coordinated attacks on enemy strongholds using siege mechanics
- Destroying generators and anchor stones to eliminate the opposing team's base
Matches reportedly last between 8 and 30 minutes, with multiple raid phases escalating in intensity. Players traverse the large maps using mounts including horses, bears, and griffins,a feature that addresses mobility concerns but hasn't fully solved the pacing issues.
Eight Wardens Bring Unique Abilities
Highguard launched with eight playable characters called Wardens, each featuring distinct abilities designed for different playstyles. The roster includes:
- Offensive Wardens who can smash through breakable walls
- Defensive specialists like Kai, who creates ice barriers
- Fire-based attackers such as Slade, who rains down molten destruction
Each Warden comes equipped with a passive ability, a tactical skill, and an ultimate power. Players can customize their loadouts with various weapons and gear before matches begin.
The gunplay draws clear inspiration from Apex Legends, featuring ballistic weapons alongside specialized "raid tools" like rocket launchers, zip lines, and breaching hammers. Pro tip: mastering both weapon types is essential for successful base assaults.
A Year of Content Already Prepared
Despite the rocky launch, Wildlight Entertainment has stated that a full year's worth of content is nearly complete. The studio plans to release updates in what they're calling "episodes," with the first scheduled to arrive in just two weeks.
These episodes will introduce:
- New weapons and equipment
- Additional Warden characters
- Fresh maps with unique environments
- Seasonal content and events
The game is set in the mysterious land of Highguard, a lost continent rediscovered after centuries of isolation. The developers promise lore-rich locations tied to the world's history, though story elements have taken a backseat to gameplay concerns at launch.
The path to launch has been unconventional, to say the least. After Highguard appeared as the final trailer at The Game Awards 2025, the development team went almost completely silent. The lack of communication left many wondering if the game would actually release on its announced date.
The key here is that Wildlight Entertainment chose to let the game speak for itself rather than engage in traditional marketing campaigns. Whether this strategy proves successful depends entirely on the studio's ability to address the technical issues and design concerns quickly.
Former Apex and Titanfall devs create Highguard
A closed-door event provided some information to select media outlets, but the general gaming public remained largely in the dark until the gameplay showcase on launch dayfinally revealed the full scope of the project.
Highguard represents another entry in the increasingly crowded free-to-play shooter market. The game's raid-focused mechanics differentiate it from battle royales and extraction shooters, but the execution issues at launch highlight the challenges of breaking into this competitive space.
You'll want to keep an eye on how Wildlight Entertainment responds to the criticism. The studio's pedigree suggests they have the expertise to iterate and improve, but the window for turning around negative sentiment is limited in today's gaming landscape.
The addition of a ranked mode in future updates could help establish a competitive community, assuming the performance problems get resolved. The game's emphasis on tactical teamwork and strategic decision-making aligns with current esports trends, but stability must come first.
Many of Wildlight Entertainment's team members previously worked at Respawn Entertainment, contributing to the development of Titanfall and Apex Legends. Their experience with fast-paced, movement-focused shooters is evident in Highguard's core mechanics.
The studio aimed to capture the feeling of attacking bases in survival games and transform that into a dedicated, replayable experience. Rather than building another battle royale or extraction shooter, they focused on creating moments of coordinated assault and defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing Highguard's negative Steam reviews?
Players cite severe performance issues affecting even high-end PCs, along with concerns about the 3v3 format feeling too small for the game's large maps. Technical optimization problems have been the most consistent complaint across reviews.
Is Highguard free to play?
Yes, Highguard launched as a free-to-play title on Steam with an in-game store for cosmetic purchases. Players receive a free starter package when they begin playing.
How many players does Highguard support per match?
Each match features two teams of three players for a total of six players per game. This 3v3 format has been controversial among players who expected larger team sizes.
When will Highguard receive its first content update?
Wildlight Entertainment plans to release the first episode in two weeks, introducing new weapons, characters, and potentially a new map. The studio has stated that a full year of content is already near completion.