Hold on a second, folks! Are we really ready to write off Highguard before it's even had a chance to show us what it's made of? It feels like the gaming community has a new favorite pastime: preemptively dunking on games before they even hit the shelves. And frankly, it's a bit disheartening.
Back on December 11, 2025, a game called Highguard made its debut at The Game Awards. Now, this wasn't your typical grand reveal of a single-player epic. Instead, we were treated to a glimpse of a PvP "raid shooter" from some of the very minds behind beloved titles like Apex Legends and Titanfall. This was a bit of a surprise, as The Game Awards often reserves its final slots for highly anticipated single-player experiences. But Highguard, with its intriguing blend of fantasy and sci-fi, featuring heroes wielding SMGs while riding horses and mages flinging spells from the sky, promised something a little different. The trailer even boldly declared it a "new breed of shooter," hinting at a gameplay style reminiscent of Overwatch but with its own unique flair.
However, the internet's reaction has been anything but welcoming. A quick search for "Highguard" on YouTube reveals a sea of videos with titles like "This Game is Cooked" and "It’s Worse Than We Thought!" It's a bit baffling, isn't it? The game hasn't even been released yet! This brings me to a rather obvious point: shouldn't we actually play games before we declare them good or bad?
I get it, not every game's aesthetic is going to be to everyone's taste. But lately, it feels like there's an unspoken expectation within the gaming community that new releases must be bad if they don't perfectly align with our individual desires. This attitude, I believe, is incredibly counterproductive. It seems to be fueled by the mechanics of social media and ragebait content, rather than any genuine, thoughtful analysis of what's actually being presented. To dismiss a game based on a single trailer and a handful of screenshots displays a fundamental misunderstanding – or perhaps a deliberate rejection – of the idea that "a rising tide lifts all boats" when it comes to game development. More successful games ultimately benefit everyone, even if a particular title doesn't tick all your personal boxes.
And it's not just the gameplay that's fueling this negativity. The relative silence from the developer, Wildlight Entertainment, since the reveal has also contributed to the buzz. Over a month later, the game's official YouTube channel still only features that initial teaser and has a mere 1,610 subscribers. This is quite peculiar for a game that was given such a prominent spot on gaming's biggest night. It's worth noting that this prime real estate wasn't paid for; Geoff Keighley himself was reportedly very impressed with the project. Similarly, on social media, Highguard's official X account has just over 7,000 followers and hasn't posted since the announcement. We're lacking crucial details about characters, abilities, and maps. There's even no clear explanation of what this "new breed" of PvP entails, especially since "raid shooter" isn't a widely recognized genre. While the game itself might be fantastic, its current marketing efforts could certainly be improved.
Perhaps the development team is aiming for a surprise launch, much like Apex Legends. And with Chad Grenier, a veteran designer behind the original Call of Duty Modern Warfare games, both Titanfalls, and Apex Legends, at the helm, alongside other industry pros, there's certainly potential. But here's where it gets interesting: past success doesn't guarantee future triumphs. It's possible the final product might be underwhelming. Yet, it's disheartening to see so many online have already predetermined its failure, as if it's already met a dismal fate.
This immediate and complete dismissal of a game is what truly irks me. You might watch the less-than-two-minute trailer and think, "This isn't my kind of game." And perhaps, when Highguard launches on January 26, it might indeed struggle to find a large audience. But this instant judgment, this complete writing off, is the part that bothers me.
I know I'm likely swimming against the current of popular opinion. In 2026, it's undeniably easier to tear something down than to build it up with optimism. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that many of the same people who are gleefully anticipating another "underwhelming" game will be the first to lament the struggles of the games industry – the constant layoffs and studio closures that impact the very creatives they admire. If we're not willing to embrace new experiences and at least try to deliver on the promise of a "new breed of shooter," then we're heading towards a rather bleak future.
Looking ahead, Marathon is slated for a March 2026 release. Bungie has had a challenging journey, with less-than-enthusiastic beta tests and plagiarism allegations casting a shadow. However, they've been diligently working on a new version of the game, incorporating community feedback. I, for one, am excited for it, even though extraction shooters aren't my usual cup of tea. While some might draw parallels to Sony's Concord, I remain hopeful, largely due to Bungie's proven shooter pedigree, much like the team behind Highguard is bringing their own impressive track record.
And this is the part most people miss: I'm not saying either of these games are guaranteed blockbusters or will be perfect shooters. But I believe they deserve a chance. After all, if we're not getting excited about games, what are we really doing here? The old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover," feels more relevant than ever. Perhaps in 2026, we should adapt it to: "Never judge a game by its initial teaser and lack of marketing." It's a mouthful, I know, but we'll never discover the next great gaming experience if we're determined to kill it before it even has a chance to be born.
What are your thoughts? Do you think it's fair to critique games so harshly before release, or should we give them a fair shot? Let me know in the comments below!
