Highguard Is Out Now, Blending PvP Raids, Base Sieges, and Fantasy Combat

After a quiet reveal, Highguard has officially launched, and new details now show what players can expect from the ambitious free-to-play shooter.

Developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a newly formed studio made up of veterans from Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty, Highguard aims to stand out in a crowded multiplayer space. According to Xbox Wire, the game combines elements of MOBAs, survival shooters, and capture-the-flag into a competitive PvP raid experience.

The game features two teams of three players facing off in matches where the main objective is simple: destroy the enemy base before they destroy yours. Highguard embraces a fantasy-themed setting, blending spells, firearms, and mount-based combat with creatures such as bears, horses, panthers, and gryphons.

Highguard game brings base building, raids, and escalating matches

Each match begins with both teams fortifying their base. Players vote on one of six base types available at launch, with each option offering specific strengths and weaknesses. Once the match starts, players head into the map to gather crystals, which they can use to upgrade their weapons, gear, and abilities.

A special mid-match event introduces the Shieldbreaker sword. When it appears, teams can capture it and deliver it to the enemy base to trigger a raid phase. This causes a siege tower to spawn, cracking the base shield and acting as a forward respawn point for attackers. During the raid, players breach walls, plant bombs on three key objectives, and defend them until detonation, in a setup similar to classic bomb-defusal modes.

If attackers destroy the main core, the base falls instantly and the match ends. If the base survives, the match resets into a new phase with increased power levels and stronger gear on both sides. Most matches last between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on how quickly teams can execute successful raids.

Weapons, Wardens, and post-launch plans

Highguard launches with 10 weapons, two weapon slots per player, and additional raid tools such as a rocket launcher, explosive sledgehammer, and zipline gun. The game also includes eight playable Wardens at launch, with one Warden allowed per team and no duplicates. Each Warden features a passive ability, a tactical ability with a cooldown, and a charge-based ultimate ability.

Wildlight Entertainment has already confirmed ongoing support, with plans to release new content every month. Ranked mode is coming soon, alongside additional modes, including a mount racing mode. All future gameplay content will remain free, with monetization limited strictly to cosmetic items.

Highguard is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, making it easy for players to jump in and try the game at no cost.

In other gaming news, Code Vein 2 is now available for early access, while Final Fantasy 7 Remake continues to gain momentum on Nintendo Switch 2.