Highguard, Wildlight Entertainment's online multiplayer title, has launched with a poor surprise reveal that leaves it fighting an uphill battle for good reviews. The game was revealed via a rather oblique trailer at the Game Awards last December, where most viewers were expecting something huge, but instead received a fantasy-themed shooter no one had heard of.
The studio behind Highguard is comprised of ex-Respawn Entertainment staff who previously worked on Titanfall, Call of Duty and Apex Legends. Given their pedigree, expectations are high for the game's release, however, it seems that Wildlight had not planned to reveal the game before its January launch. Instead, they decided to pull a shadow drop like Apex Legends, which might have been better received.
Despite the initial awkward reveal, Highguard does show promise with its combination of elements from online shooters and Moba games. Players can choose from different hero characters, each with unique skills, and engage in phases of fortifying bases, exploring landscapes for loot, then fighting. The game also boasts impressive graphics with fast-paced and fluid movements.
However, the launch has been marred by negative reviews due to visual performance issues and long queues for matches, which could have been mitigated if Wildlight had not revealed the game so suddenly. It's clear that the initial reveal damaged the perception of the game, making it harder for Highguard to gain good reviews in the future.
Highguard is now facing stiff competition from established online multiplayer titles like Deadlock and games with massive player bases, such as Fortnite. Given the risks involved in developing an online multiplayer title โ hundreds of millions of dollars in development costs and the volatile nature of the market โ it's hard not to worry about the game's prospects.
A successful game needs more than just technical prowess; it also requires a strong community that will stick around for months, generating revenue. The challenge ahead for Highguard is substantial, but with the right execution, the game could carve out its own niche in this crowded space.
The studio behind Highguard is comprised of ex-Respawn Entertainment staff who previously worked on Titanfall, Call of Duty and Apex Legends. Given their pedigree, expectations are high for the game's release, however, it seems that Wildlight had not planned to reveal the game before its January launch. Instead, they decided to pull a shadow drop like Apex Legends, which might have been better received.
Despite the initial awkward reveal, Highguard does show promise with its combination of elements from online shooters and Moba games. Players can choose from different hero characters, each with unique skills, and engage in phases of fortifying bases, exploring landscapes for loot, then fighting. The game also boasts impressive graphics with fast-paced and fluid movements.
However, the launch has been marred by negative reviews due to visual performance issues and long queues for matches, which could have been mitigated if Wildlight had not revealed the game so suddenly. It's clear that the initial reveal damaged the perception of the game, making it harder for Highguard to gain good reviews in the future.
Highguard is now facing stiff competition from established online multiplayer titles like Deadlock and games with massive player bases, such as Fortnite. Given the risks involved in developing an online multiplayer title โ hundreds of millions of dollars in development costs and the volatile nature of the market โ it's hard not to worry about the game's prospects.
A successful game needs more than just technical prowess; it also requires a strong community that will stick around for months, generating revenue. The challenge ahead for Highguard is substantial, but with the right execution, the game could carve out its own niche in this crowded space.