Revealed as the final major announcement at The Game Awards 2025, Highguard reached a massive audience — but the early reaction was far from universally positive. Some players were frustrated to see a live-service title take the closing spotlight, and comparisons to other troubled shooters quickly followed. Highguard launched on January 26, and discussion online ramped up immediately, with one critique appearing again and again: 3v3 matches felt too quiet, making the PvP raids seem less chaotic and less fun than they could be.
5v5 Raid Mode is now here to stay
In a recent social post, Wildlight confirmed that 5v5 Raid Mode is no longer limited-time. The mode originally appeared as an experimental option, but the studio says the test period performed well — with player interest split pretty evenly between 3v3 and 5v5 over the weekend. That outcome helped drive the decision to lock 5v5 in permanently, with the message essentially boiling down to: you asked, we listened — 5v5 is staying.
Community response: mostly positive, with a competitive caveat
The reaction has been largely upbeat across Reddit threads and newer Steam reviews. Many players say 5v5 feels more “alive” and better suited for casual sessions, thanks to more frequent fights and a higher overall pace.
That said, not everyone wants the same format everywhere. A common suggestion is to keep future Competitive play as 3v3 for cleaner strategy and tighter coordination. Others argue the ideal solution is simple: when Competitive arrives, offer both 3v3 and 5v5 so players can choose the style they prefer.
Will it move the needle?
The bigger question is whether this change can actually bring players back in meaningful numbers. Even with positive sentiment, one new mode may not be enough on its own — especially if the broader concerns around content depth, progression, balance, or live-service trust remain.
What’s next: episodic content through 2026
Wildlight is signaling long-term support. The studio has already outlined a post-launch roadmap, with content planned in episodes across 2026. Upcoming drops are expected to include new Wardens, bases, weapons, mods, and additional additions intended to keep the game evolving.
For now, making 5v5 permanent is a quick, visible win — and the kind of responsive move players like to see. The next few weeks will show whether that momentum turns into a real rebound, or if Highguard will need bigger swings to climb back into the conversation.
