Key Takeaways:
- Highguard is a new online shooter game that combines elements of fantasy and military aesthetics
- The game features a unique "raid shooter" mode, where two teams of three players compete to control a powerful weapon called the Shieldbreaker
- The game has a strong focus on teamwork and strategy, with each player having a unique role to play in the team
- The game’s world is a blend of fantasy and military elements, with a unique technology level that is similar to World War I era
- The game features eight playable characters, called Wardens, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles
Introduction to Highguard
Highguard is a new online shooter game developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio that is trying to create something new and unique in the online shooter space. The game is described as a "PvP raid shooter," where two teams of three players compete against each other in a fight to control the Shieldbreaker, a powerful weapon that can tear down the enemy base’s shield. This mode is similar to capture the flag, but with a twist: instead of bringing the Shieldbreaker to your base, you’re rushing to your opponents’ base to tear down their shield.
The Development of Highguard
The development of Highguard was a long and winding road, with the studio trying out different game modes and team compositions before settling on the current 3v3 format. At one point, the game featured eight teams, each with their own base, but this proved to be too chaotic and was eventually scaled back. The studio also experimented with different team sizes, including 4v4, 5v5, and 6v6, before settling on 3v3. The maps in the game are large, allowing teams to gear up at the start of matches without the pressure of an enemy right on top of them.
The World of Highguard
The world of Highguard is a unique blend of fantasy and military elements. The studio wanted to create a game that felt realistic, with guns that sounded and felt real, but also wanted to express their creativity and add some fantastical elements to the game. The result is a world that is similar to World War I era, but with a unique twist. The technology level in the game is advanced, but not too advanced, with radar and radio being available, but no wi-fi or screens. The game also features mounts, such as bears and horses, which can be used for traversal.
The Heroes of Highguard
Highguard features eight playable characters, called Wardens, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. The studio didn’t set out to create a hero shooter, but rather a game that focused on teamwork and strategy. The heroes are in service of the game mode, rather than the other way around, and are designed to help supplement the unique aspects of the game. Each hero has abilities that are useful in different phases of the game, such as Scarlet’s ability to vanish walls, making infiltrating a base easier.
Cutting Room Floor
Not everything that was developed for Highguard made it into the final game. The studio had to cut some features, such as base building, which was initially part of the game but was eventually abandoned. The developers are cagey about what else was left on the cutting room floor, but they did tease that some ideas might make it into the game in the future as added content or limited-time game modes. They also hinted at the possibility of adding horse racing and other features to the game in the future.
Conclusion
Highguard is a unique and exciting new game that offers a fresh take on the online shooter genre. With its blend of fantasy and military elements, unique game mode, and focus on teamwork and strategy, it’s a game that’s sure to appeal to fans of shooters and strategy games alike. The studio’s commitment to continuously updating and adding new content to the game ensures that players will have a steady stream of new features and game modes to look forward to. Whether you’re a fan of hero shooters, military games, or just looking for something new and different, Highguard is definitely worth checking out.