Highguard is the new game from the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall 2. But before fans decide to download, they want to know what the reviews promise. Therefore, we summarize the impressions of the first testers.
On January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM CET, Highguard went live, and with the launch, the embargo on reviews was lifted. The first critic voices and reviews have now come in, providing an initial mood report.
So far, things look solid for Highguard, as on Metacritic the game does not yet have a clear rating but currently has around 8 reviews, all of which tend to be positive (as of January 26, 2026, 7:50 PM). Only the review from GAMES.CH has given a clear score of 86 points.
As soon as a clearer rating is available, we will, of course, update our article. Nevertheless, the available reviews reveal some initial positive and negative points that we would like to present here.
“Highguard satisfies a gaming craving that I didn’t even know I had”
What is rated positively? First testers praise the mix of genres. It is not a pure “hero shooter”, but a combination of MOBA structures and survival raid mechanics (similar to Rust, but in short matches).
The concept of farming resources first, reinforcing bases, and then using a siege weapon (“Shieldbreaker”) to destroy the enemy base is described as fresh and tactically exciting. GamingTrend summarizes in their review: “Simply put: Highguard satisfies a gaming craving that I didn’t even know I had.”
Likewise, shooting from the backs of mounts (bears, cat-like creatures) and the overall weapon handling are praised. Some critiques note that you can clearly feel the signature of the Titanfall and Apex veterans (Wildlight Entertainment) in the fluid movement and gunplay.
Additionally, the technical state is pleasing. In contrast to many other modern releases, it is emphasized that the game feels very “smooth” and finished (polished), which is not a given for a free-to-play launch.
What is there to criticize? Some reviews address that the first trailer and the art style (“colorful fantasy sci-fi”) felt extremely generic and evoked memories of flops like Concord. Also, the marketing strategy – specifically releasing little information about the game until the launch – is evaluated in some reviews as at least incomprehensible.
Additionally, some critics are concerned about whether the game is accessible enough to allow casual gamers and keep them engaged. Since the mode is more complex than a simple “team deathmatch”, some fear that casual players might not immediately understand the strategic depth.
Brief overview – What is Highguard actually? Highguard is a new shooter from the developers behind Apex Legends and Titanfall, aiming to forge new paths as a PvP raid shooter. Instead of classic player-versus-player matches, the game combines various elements: First, you reinforce your base, collect resources, and upgrade your equipment before engaging in the decisive showdown.
At the center is the so-called Shieldbreaker, a powerful siege device with which you break through the defense of the enemy base and ultimately destroy it to win. Gameplay-wise, Highguard strongly orients itself to Apex Legends with fast gunplay, lots of movement, and a high pace of action. Thus, it is all the more striking that the current marketing provided surprisingly little information: New shooter on Steam markets like 0.5 cans of beer, yet experts believe in success
