Highguard Steam Launch: 100k Players, 13k Reviews

The gaming community witnessed an explosive launch when Highguard, the fantasy hero shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, dropped on January 26, 2026. Despite hitting nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam during its first day, the free-to-play title accumulated over 13,000 negative reviews, sparking heated debates across gaming forums and social media platforms.

The Game Awards Surprise That Nobody Expected

Announced as the final surprise during The Game Awards 2025 finale, Highguard emerged from complete darkness. Jeff Keighley personally selected this title for the coveted “one last thing” spot—not because of sponsorship deals, but because he genuinely fell in love with the gameplay. The developers from Wildlight Entertainment, comprised of ex-Apex Legends team members, wanted a complete blackout launch strategy similar to Apex’s original reveal.

Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-platform support, Highguard brings fantasy elements to the saturated hero shooter market. Players attack enemy strongholds using the Shieldbreaker artifact while choosing from multiple heroes, each with unique abilities and weapon modifications.

Launch Content and Roadmap

The initial release featured:

• Five distinct maps for team-based attack and defense modes
• Multiple hero characters with customizable loadouts
• Weapon modification systems
• Episode 2 scheduled just two weeks post-launch with new map, gear, and game mode

Why Did Highguard Receive Negative Reviews?

CEO Dusty Welch addressed the criticism openly, acknowledging that the reveal trailer focused too heavily on spectacle rather than showcasing the game’s unique gameplay loop. The lead designer compared the experience to The Matrix, suggesting players must experience it firsthand to understand its appeal.

“We’re disappointed about the negative reviews, but we’re gamers ourselves and we read everything. The trailer was too much show and didn’t demonstrate our unique gameplay loop.”

Common player complaints included monetization concerns around cosmetic currency, balance issues, and skepticism about another hero shooter entering an oversaturated genre. Despite criticism, the 100k concurrent player peak demonstrated significant interest, with content creators who received early previews praising the actual gameplay mechanics.

Is Highguard Worth Playing?

For fans seeking an Overwatch-meets-fantasy experience, Highguard offers a free-to-play entry point with promised regular content updates. The developers actively monitor feedback and plan episodic content drops every few months. Whether you jump in now or wait for patches depends on your tolerance for launch-period adjustments in this intriguing Steam controversy.