Highguard had a huge launch on Steam with almost 100,000 players. So why does it have a 'Mostly Negative' review score?

High player count, low review scores According to data from SteamDB, the Highguard Steam launch saw a peak of 97,249 concurrent players. At the time of writing, only 32% of the more than 19,000 reviews on Steam are positive.

The new free-to-play shooter Highguard achieved a peak of nearly 100,000 concurrent players during its Steam launch, but the strong debut was soured by thousands of negative user reviews, as reported by Video Games Chronicle. The game, which launched this week on PC and consoles, currently holds a 'Mostly Negative' rating on Valve's PC platform.

A surprise Game Awards reveal

Highguard first gained attention when it was revealed as the final announcement at The Game Awards in December. This closing slot is typically reserved for major, well-known franchises, so its placement as a debut title from a new studio generated significant discussion. Following the reveal, developer Wildlight Entertainment remained quiet, building anticipation for the unannounced release date.

High player count, low review scores

According to data from SteamDB, the Highguard Steam launch saw a peak of 97,249 concurrent players. While these numbers represent a strong start for a new IP, the player reception tells a different story. At the time of writing, only 32% of the more than 19,000 reviews on Steam are positive. The most common criticism focuses on the game's core design, with many players stating that the maps are too large for the 3v3 team matchups, leading to slow-paced encounters.

Who is Wildlight Entertainment?

Highguard was developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a California-based studio staffed by industry veterans. The team includes former developers from Respawn Entertainment, known for their work on Apex Legends and Titanfall, as well as talent from studios that worked on the Call of Duty franchise. The studio's formation signals a focus on creating AAA shooter experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Highguard?

Highguard is a new free-to-play shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio founded by veterans from Respawn and other AAA developers. The game launched in January 2026 on PC and consoles after being announced at The Game Awards.

How many players did Highguard have on Steam at launch?

Highguard achieved a strong start on Steam, reaching a peak concurrent player count of 97,249 on its launch day. This indicates significant initial interest from players following its surprise reveal at The Game Awards.

What is the reception of Highguard on Steam?

Despite a high player count, Highguard's reception on Steam has been 'Mostly Negative'. Only 32% of its more than 19,000 user reviews are positive, with many players criticising the large map sizes for its 3v3 game mode.

Why are Highguard reviews negative?

The primary reason for the negative reviews, according to Steam users, is a core design issue with map size. Players have widely reported that the maps are too large for the 3v3 team composition, resulting in slow gameplay and difficulty finding engagements.