The Game Awards’ Surprise Reveal Left Many Disappointed

The final reveal at the Game Awards last night wasn’t the much-anticipated comeback of a classic series or a blockbuster title from a major studio; instead, it was a new shooter called Highguard from Wildlight Entertainment. This sci-fi/fantasy raid shooter is crafted by a team with experience from Respawn, known for Titanfall and Apex Legends, so there’s some solid talent behind it. However, the reception has been mixed, and not entirely due to Highguard itself.

On its own, Highguard appears to have a lot going for it. It features Titanfall-style movement mechanics, adrenaline-pumping action, and a blend of fantasy and contemporary visuals that create exciting moments, like taking down foes while riding a horse and casting elemental spells. Yet, it also carries the weight of feeling somewhat generic. Even the title is rather forgettable. If you showed me gameplay of Highguard and claimed it was a promo for a mobile game, I might just buy it.

Wildlight has reportedly been working on Highguard in secrecy for years, which explains why this announcement comes just weeks before its launch on January 26. Since its development began, the hero shooter/live-service landscape has become quite challenging. Gamers are more hesitant to get excited about a title that could demand significant time or risk being shut down shortly after launch, like Concord. Additionally, the hero shooter genre feels saturated, making it hard for new entries to avoid comparisons with established hits like Overwatch. While Highguard does share some traits, they aren’t as blatant as those found in titles like Marvel Rivals.

We’ll see how Highguard performs when it launches next month, but releasing a live-service hero shooter now feels risky, especially with the audience seemingly fatigued by the genre. There’s only so much time in a week for a multiplayer game that demands attention, and many players have already settled into their favorites. The Game Awards may have put it in an even tougher position by making it the final reveal of the night. But at least it’s generating some buzz, right?