Highguard: A Retro FPS That Shines Brightest When You Ignore the Internet's Whispers

There's something uniquely modern, and honestly, a little exhausting, about how we discover and form opinions on new video games these days. It often feels like you can’t even launch a title for the first time without a thousand voices already screaming into your ear, telling you precisely what to think. And nowhere is this more prevalent, perhaps, than in the often-passionate, sometimes brutally critical world of indie game releases, especially those aiming for that beloved retro aesthetic. This brings me to Highguard, a game that recently landed on my radar, and one that, by all accounts of the internet at large, should have been… well, pretty darn "nasty."

You know, it’s funny how a collective online sentiment can snowball. Before I even had a chance to properly look at Highguard, I’d already seen the whispers – tweets, forum posts, comment sections – all painting a picture of a game that was, let's say, less than stellar. "Another generic boomer shooter," some would scoff. "Uninspired, clunky, just not good." The usual suspects, really. And for a moment, I almost let it get to me. Almost let that external noise dictate my internal expectation, convincing me to skip it entirely. But then, a little voice, a stubborn one, nudged me: "Just try it. See for yourself." So, I did.

And boy, am I glad I muted the digital cacophony and simply jumped in. What I found wasn't a "nasty" game at all; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Highguard, once you strip away the layers of pre-judgement and just play, is a genuinely solid, deeply satisfying retro-style first-person shooter. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best way to review a game is to, you know, actually play it without an army of anonymous critics whispering doom and gloom into your ear.

From the moment I started, the gunplay just felt right. Each weapon packs a satisfying punch, the kind that makes enemies react with a gratifying explosion of pixels and gibs. The movement is fluid, responsive, letting you strafe and jump through meticulously crafted levels with an almost balletic grace. And the level design? Oh, the level design is a masterclass in classic FPS architecture. They’re intricate, full of secrets, and constantly guide you through exciting arenas without feeling like a frustrating maze. It's clear the developers weren't trying to reinvent the wheel, but rather, perfect its rotation.

It's got that wonderful "meatiness" to it, a tactile feedback that some other modern retro FPS titles sometimes miss. There’s a weight to your actions, a tangible consequence to every shotgun blast or rocket launch. Does it innovate? Perhaps not in groundbreaking ways that will be talked about for decades. But honestly, does every game need to? Highguard knows exactly what it is: a tightly designed, incredibly fun shooter that focuses on excellent fundamentals rather than chasing novelty for novelty's sake. It delivers on the promise of pure, unadulterated retro FPS action, executed with skill and passion.

So, here’s my takeaway, if you’ll indulge me: next time you see a game being universally dunked on, or praised to the heavens, take a moment. Breathe. And if it piques your interest even slightly, consider giving it a shot yourself. Highguard, for me, was a refreshing reminder that the most authentic gaming experiences often come when you tune out the noise and simply let the game speak for itself. You might just find a hidden gem, a genuinely good time, that the internet nearly convinced you to miss.