Highguard, the free-to-play PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment (founded by ex-Titanfall and Apex Legends devs from Respawn), was teased with a brief trailer as the closer at The Game Awards 2025 but received almost no follow-up marketing or updates—until a surprise trophy list leak provided the most substantial gameplay details yet.
Its full 33-trophy PS5 list (1 Platinum, several Gold/Silver/Bronze; totaling 1,260 points) appeared on trophy tracker Exophase, confirming a January 26, 2026 launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with crossplay.
This accidental reveal offers far more insight than any official communication, suggesting a class-based, objective-focused siege shooter that mixes fast-paced FPS gunplay, MOBA-style in-match vendor purchases, destructible environments, mounts, and raid-style base assaults—evoking a compact blend of Overwatch, Deadlock, and hero shooter elements with raid boss destruction vibes.
Core Loop: Raid Mode (Primary Gameplay Focus)
Nearly all trophies tie into Raid Mode, a team-based PvP objective mode where attackers raid an enemy base while defenders hold it.
Matches appear to run ~10-20 minutes (with Gold trophies for sub-10/12-minute wins and Overtime scenarios possible).
- Attack Objectives: Plant the Shieldbreaker to initiate the raid, breach with a Domesplitter to enter the base, sabotage generators, and ultimately destroy the Anchor Stone (an alternate win condition for some trophies).
- Defense: Defuse generators, protect the base, and survive to force Overtime or full holds.
- Win Variations: Full base destruction, Anchor Stone-only wins ("One Shot, One Kill": 5 such victories), no-Overtime wins ("Perfectly Balanced"), speed blitzes ("Overwhelming Force"), or flawless team performances ("Protocol Three": sub-12-minute win with no teammate deaths).
- Teamplay Highlights: Revive teammates ("Soul Mate"), destroy enemy soul orbs (dropped on death), wipe foes in Overtime ("Lambs to the Slaughter" / "Our Last Stand": last-man-standing clutch).
5 Warden Classes (Hero Archetypes)
Players select from five Warden classes, with Bronze trophies requiring 5 Raid Mode completions (wins not specified) per role:
- Assault — Frontline damage dealers ("Tip of the Spear... And My Axe").
- Defensive — Tanks/protectors ("You Have My Shield").
- Recon — Scouts/snipers ("All Seeing Eye").
- Support — Healers/utility ("Got Your Six").
- Destruction — Breachers/demolition experts ("Carved a Path").
Each class features an Ultimate Power, with a Silver trophy for using it 3+ times in one match ("Shock and Awe").
Loot, Economy & Gear System
- Vesper Currency: Earned in-match and spent at a Vendor for gear upgrades ("Pocket Full of Vesper": buy 10 Rare+ items in one match; Gold for wins after spending 77+ Vesper).
- Rarity Tiers: Progress from Common to Rare/Epic/Legendary ("Legendary Armaments": equip 3+ Legendaries in a match; "Send Their Regards": 77 kills with Legendaries).
- Chests & Loot: Open chests for items ("Plunderer": 15+ in one match).
- Weapons & Tools: Melee axes for close kills ("Blade vs. Bullet": 10 axe eliminations), the BigRig LMG for wall destruction ("Suppressive Fire": destroy 3 iron walls with it). Extensive destructible elements ("Lord of Destruction": 20+ walls broken).
Mounts & Mobility
Rideable mounts add traversal and combat options:
- Eliminate 20 enemy mounts ("Animal Control").
- Score 10 kills while mounted ("Heavy 'Cavalry'").
Progression & Misc Milestones
- General grinds: 10/20 Raid completions ("Battle-Hardened" / "A True Warden"), tutorial ("Rite of Passage").
- Flavor Platinum: **Pendragon ("So... the legends are true. These mythic tales of old are more than just words").
The leak confirms Highguard is on track for its January 26, 2026 release despite the eerie silence from devs—servers and crossplay will be key tests at launch.
Expect gameplay footage and impressions to flood in soon as the date arrives.
Sources & Links:
- Full trophy list
- TheGamer coverage
- Game Rant on leaked details
- Steam page (confirms release date)
- Eurogamer overview
- GamesRadar guide
