Highguard Just Makes Me Want to Play This 19-Year-Old Shooter

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Despite some imperfections, Highguard has been an enjoyable game since its release. Its fast-paced shooting, interesting characters, and unusual blend of fantasy and guns take some getting used to, but ultimately create a unique experience. Plus, riding a bear is a definite highlight! While there’s still potential for growth, Highguard is successfully filling a gap in the hero shooter market that’s been empty for a while.

Even though I’m really excited about this new shooting game, I keep thinking about one of the oldest: Team Fortress 2. Despite all of Highguard’s good qualities, Team Fortress 2, which came out 19 years ago (making me feel old!), still captivates me in a way that’s hard to put into words. While the two games share a lot of similarities, there’s one key difference that solidifies Team Fortress 2‘s place as a timeless classic.

Team Fortress 2 Is Still The Best Hero Shooter Available

Man, Team Fortress 2 is seriously Valve’s best game, hands down. It’s amazing how many people still play it – SteamDB says it regularly gets over 40,000 players at the same time, and it came out way back in 2007! I might be a little biased though, because I grew up playing it. It was a huge part of my life and actually helped shape a lot of the hero shooters and live service games we have today. I have so many great memories of hanging out at my friend’s place, chowing down on Pringles and cookies while playing TF2. Looking back, I wasn’t exactly good at it, but those times were awesome!

Even acknowledging any personal preference, it’s clear that Team Fortress 2 has profoundly impacted both the hero shooter genre and gaming in general. A big reason for this is how deceptively simple it is to pick up and play. It’s easy for beginners, the maps are well-designed and intuitive, and the game modes offer a fresh take on familiar ideas, allowing new players to quickly understand the objectives. Plus, with a variety of roles to choose from, players can easily find a comfortable fit and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the skill level of others.

What truly sets Team Fortress 2 apart is its diverse cast of characters, each carefully designed to complement the others. I was surprisingly drawn to playing the support role, and it’s the only game where I actually enjoyed sneaking around undetected. Every class has its own unique weapons and abilities that are easy to learn but difficult to master, keeping the game engaging even after countless rounds on maps like Dustbowl. Valve really created something special with TF2, and its impact is still visible in modern hero shooters like Highguard, which came out nearly two decades later.

TF2 Deserves Another Shot in 2026

Even though Team Fortress 2 still has a large and active player base, it doesn’t get much attention these days. Newer games like Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and Highguard are currently the focus of most conversations, and TF2 is often seen as just a beloved classic. I think this is unfortunate because TF2 is as enjoyable as, and possibly even better than, Marvel Rivals, and it’s very easy to pick up and play for newcomers.

As a long-time fan, I can honestly say that Team Fortress 2 is still amazing, and the best part is it’s been totally free to play since 2011! It’s super easy to jump in and learn the different classes, and the community is generally really friendly. Valve has consistently updated it over the years, which has kept things fresh. What really blows me away is how good it still looks and feels – the art style is timeless, the controls are smooth, and the gunplay is just fantastic. Honestly, playing TF2 today feels just as fun as it did almost 20 years ago, and I can’t see that changing anytime soon unless Valve does something unexpected. There’s so much content – both official stuff from Valve and tons of maps made by the community – that you’ll never run out of things to do!

Going back to Team Fortress 2 after so many years felt surprisingly like coming home. It was a really nostalgic experience, and it reminded me how much fun I still have playing it – just like when I was a kid, hanging out with friends, snacking on Pringles and cookies, and playing Capture the Flag. If you’re hesitant to try an older game (though it doesn’t feel dated at all), you’re in luck! Valve is working on a new game that captures the same spirit.

Deadlock Could Be The TF2 Follow-Up We’ve All Wanted

Deadlock is the highly anticipated new hero shooter from Valve, often seen as the spiritual successor to their popular game, Team Fortress 2. It shares a similar bright, cartoonish style and features a cast of unique characters. Deadlock aims to stand out in the crowded hero shooter genre by combining elements from games like Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, and Overwatch, and early signs suggest it’s well on its way to doing just that.

What really makes Deadlock special is its cleverly designed characters. Each one has a unique appearance and skillset, helping it differentiate itself from more realistic hero shooters like Valorant and Highguard. While Valve hasn’t officially launched the game yet – it’s been available through limited beta tests – I think Deadlock has the potential to be as successful as Valve’s previous games. However, it seems like overall interest in hero shooter games might be declining.

While Deadlock likely won’t disappear like Concord or Highguard, it might have a harder time becoming as popular as Team Fortress 2 was in 2007. Back then, the hero shooter genre was new, and Valve was a much bigger player in game development. However, considering Team Fortress 2‘s enduring success, I’m confident Valve will create another classic game that players will fondly remember for years to come, sharing fun experiences with friends and creating lasting memories.

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2026-01-29 21:13