Highguard’s Criticisms Might Be Too Harsh Based On One Overlooked Feature

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Among the games slated for release in 2026, Highguard hasn’t generated much excitement, as many players feel it closely resembles existing hero shooter titles. While concerns about the gameplay are understandable, the game does feature a unique mechanic that evokes nostalgia for classic FPS experiences. This core feature has the potential to significantly change team dynamics during matches, and could ultimately draw players in.

Currently, the only information about Highguard comes from its announcement trailer at the 2025 Game Awards, which featured exciting gameplay. Developed by the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall, the game puts players in the role of “Wardens”—skilled gunslingers with magical abilities—who battle for dominance over a fantastical continent. It appears to be a fast-paced, first-person shooter where two teams of distinct characters fight from their bases to eliminate the opposing team.

Fans Aren’t Too Impressed With Highguard’s Similarities With Other Games

As the last game announced at the Game Awards, many expected Highguard to generate more buzz, especially with a release date planned for January 2026. Instead, the game has been surprisingly quiet, particularly after the initial reveal received a lot of criticism. Players had hoped for a grand finale, but Highguard felt too similar to other first-person shooters, lacking a unique identity.

Similar to Concord, Highguard‘s approach as a constantly updated hero shooter feels unoriginal, and many fans have pointed that out to the developers. Some believe Highguard feels contrived, with bland character designs and a fantasy/sci-fi mix that’s been done countless times before. The enthusiastic reception it received at the Game Awards also felt suspicious to some, as if the praise wasn’t genuine and stemmed from sponsorships rather than organic excitement.

There are already a lot of hero shooter games available, including popular titles like Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends. However, many players think Highguard is just trying to copy what those games have already done successfully. Concerns about uninspired character designs, bland environments, and the game being overly hyped as “the next big thing” are making people skeptical, as these issues have led to the failure of similar large-budget games in the past.

Shieldbreaks In Highguard Add Some Interest To An Otherwise Lackluster Title

From what we’ve seen of Highguard, the gameplay feels similar to other hero shooters, but it offers more than just different character powers. The announcement trailer shows players battling for a magical sword. Whoever gets it can use it to destroy the enemy team’s protective energy shield. This then brings out a powerful tank with a battering ram, which appears to be the key to winning the match by breaking through the enemy’s defenses.

I’ve been checking out Highguard, and apparently, there’s this super important sword called the “Shieldbreaker.” It looks like everyone’s fighting over it in every match! From what I gather, having the Shieldbreaker is key to actually winning – you need it to break into the enemy base, take their territory, and ultimately, secure victory. So, if you don’t control the Shieldbreaker, it sounds like you’re probably not going to win!

The way Warden squads interact isn’t entirely clear – we don’t know how many enemy bases are in a match, or if it’s just two teams competing. However, the focus on the Shieldbreaker creates a compelling gameplay experience, often making the item the central point of entire matches. This is reminiscent of the classic “Capture the Flag” mode in Halo, where teamwork and coordination were essential to capture and protect a key objective to win.

Team Compositions Might Have Interesting Diversity Due To The Importance Of Shieldbreaker

I’m really excited about Highguard because it feels like teamwork is essential to winning. It’s not just about having a strong attacker; you really need to coordinate with your team. One character might be amazing at taking down enemies, but they’ll get wiped out quickly without someone to back them up! That’s what makes a great hero shooter, and Highguard seems like it could be one of those games where every character feels important and contributes to getting the Shieldbreaker to the enemy base. It’s all about those cool synergies between the heroes!

Okay, so a lot of games go for fantasy or sci-fi, but Highguard has this really cool thing – a sword in the stone, basically. Honestly, I think that simple idea could pull players into the world way more than anything Concord is doing. And the hero, Shieldbreaker? They totally change up team fights. It’s not just about abilities and guns, but how they use those things to mess with the environment and help you grab the sword. I went in thinking this game might be a pass, but if the actual gameplay is fun, I think it could really surprise people and get a dedicated following.

It’s still too early to say for sure, but the game’s strategy of venturing into areas enemies previously thought secure could be really engaging for players who enjoy hero shooter games. While Highguard doesn’t introduce a lot of entirely new ideas, its key feature might be enough to make it stand out.

What are your predictions for Highguard? Share your thoughts in the comments or discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-16 19:10