Highguard developer Wildlight has introduced a 5v5 restricted time recreation mode obtainable to all gamers beginning at present. It can run till the weekend.
The free-to-play PvP raid shooter was launched this week and instantly acquired a “principally destructive” person evaluation score on Steam, which has improved to “combined” in latest days. In the meantime, the variety of concurrent customers on Steam has fallen from a peak of almost 100,000, elevating questions on Highguard’s future.
The principle level of criticism from gamers is that the map dimension is simply too massive and feels empty for a 3v3 aggressive shooter. You may as well summon automobiles to maneuver sooner (automobiles are one facet of Excessive Guard that gamers broadly like), however some assume 4v4, 5v5, and even 3v3v3 modes may be higher suited.
Now, simply 4 days after launch, Highguard has a 5v5 mode, albeit for only a few days. At this time’s replace additionally introduces a brand new base known as Soul Nicely. Try the patch notes beneath.
“Wardens can now experiment with this darkish relic of a misplaced period, and it has been added to each 3v3 and 5v5 rotations,” Wildlight mentioned. “Certainly one of two main patches launched throughout launch week, this replace represents the Highguard staff’s dedication to creating the sport ‘prepared for dwell service’, leading to quick response. This week alone, the staff has squashed tons of of bugs and improved efficiency throughout the board. Yesterday’s replace, Patch 1.0.4, launched numerous bug fixes, new video settings, and extremely requested options.”
The addition of 5v5 ought to alleviate among the vacancy in Excessive Guard, nevertheless it would not deal with complaints concerning the useful resource gathering part of every map (together with what some are calling tedious mining and loot farming). By all of it, you get the sensation that Highguard was most likely affected by being introduced as “another” at The Recreation Awards. Expectations might have been higher managed earlier within the present. Wildlight workers mentioned they have been initially planning a real Apex Legends-style shadow drop for Excessive Guard, however Geoff Keighley, head of The Recreation Awards, requested the staff about that includes it on the finish of the present. Keighley himself has confronted backlash, with some feeling that Highguard’s place in The Recreation Awards’ choice order overstates the sport.
you requested, we heard
An all-new 5v5 restricted time mode is obtainable to play now! βοΈ pic.twitter.com/wBaFZUOCeZ
β Excessive Guard |Reside now! (@PlayHighguard) January 30, 2026
It has been an enormous weekend for the sport, with the variety of concurrent customers on Steam hovering round 9,000 on the time of publishing this text. The Wild Lights will likely be hoping that 5-on-5 will give the excessive guard the jolt it clearly wants.
Excessive Guard Replace January 30, 2026 Patch Notes:
In our first weekend, we’re excited to be dropping an experimental 5v5 Raid playlist, new bases, a bunch of 3v3 efficiency enhancements, in addition to including some choices to the settings menu to assist individuals customise the sport.
5v5 Raid Mode – Experimental Playlist
We heard your suggestions!
I am experimenting with 5v5 raid mode for the weekend.
This can be a separate playlist and isn’t meant to exchange 3.
3v3 raids nonetheless exist for individuals who take pleasure in them.
Lobbies have been up to date to permit events of 5 whereas the mode is dwell. Seize 4 pals and soar right into a busy raid!
This mode has some small changes.
- Raid now has 10 lives as a substitute of 6
- Respawns throughout raids will likely be barely longer to permit turbines to be positioned/taken down.
Developer Word: As most of you recognize, we’re engaged on optimizing the sport as an entire. Many are included on this patch, and 3v3 ought to see some good enhancements. However… including 4 extra gamers to the sport would not enhance efficiency, proper? Maintain that in thoughts when attempting out 5v5.
Developer Word 2: Capturing Vary doesn’t help 5v5 right now, so the (play) button will likely be grayed out in case your get together has greater than 3 individuals.
New base – Soulwell
Soulwell is a darkish relic of a misplaced period. Iron Vigil is at the moment getting ready this primary construction to be used within the area the place the lifeless nonetheless communicate.
This new base will likely be added to rotation in all modes.
optimization
This patch consists of a number of optimizations relating to animation efficiency, projectiles, draw ship occasions, and different gameplay programs. These optimizations will profit consoles and PC, however every PC is completely different and the precise general framerate acceleration will rely in your GPU, CPU, and different components.
high quality of life
Enabled these visible settings on PC and consoles
- Movement blur toggle between PC and consoles
- Anisotropic materials toggle for consoles (PC already has this)
Wesley is videogameaddicted’s Director of Information. Discover me on Twitter @wyp100. Wesley could be reached at wesley_yinpoole@videogameaddicted.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.