After months of speculation and backlash, *Highguard*—the free-to-play PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment—is finally available today. Developed by the same team responsible for *Titanfall 2* and *Apex Legends*, the game promises large-scale team-based combat in a persistent, ever-evolving world. But with minimal marketing and a polarizing reputation, its reception hinges on whether it delivers on its ambitious vision.

The game goes live at **1 pm EST (Monday, January 26)**, with no preloading option available. Players can expect a **25 GB download**, though the absence of preloading means the wait will begin at launch. For those in other regions, here’s when the game unlocks

  • Pacific Time: 10 am PST
  • UK: 6 pm GMT
  • Europe: 7 pm CET
  • Australia: 5 am AEDT (Tuesday, January 27)
  • New Zealand: 7 am NZDT (Tuesday, January 27)

The free-to-play model removes financial risk for curious players, though skepticism remains high. Whether *Highguard* can overcome its early controversies depends on its execution—and whether its blend of large-scale raids and fast-paced gunplay lives up to the hype.

System Requirements: Who Can Run It?

The game’s hardware demands are relatively modest, though performance will vary based on graphics settings. Here’s what you’ll need

  • Minimum:
    • OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
    • CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
    • RAM: 8 GB
    • GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB / AMD RX 580 8GB
    • Storage: 25 GB free
  • Recommended:
    • OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
    • CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
    • RAM: 12 GB
    • GPU: Nvidia RTX 2080 8GB / AMD RX 6650 XT 8GB
    • Storage: 25 GB free

For most modern PCs, the recommended specs should ensure smooth gameplay, though the **12 GB RAM requirement** could be a bottleneck for older systems. The **RX 6650 XT and RTX 2080** benchmarks suggest the game is optimized for mid-to-high-end GPUs, meaning lower-tier hardware might struggle with higher settings.

The **25 GB storage requirement** is manageable, but the lack of preloading means players will need to allocate space immediately. Given its free-to-play nature, *Highguard* lowers the barrier to entry—though whether it delivers on its promise of large-scale, high-stakes PvP remains to be seen.

With today’s launch, the real question isn’t just whether the game works—it’s whether it can carve out a niche in a crowded FPS landscape. For now, the only way to find out is to jump in.