Lots of games offer intense, competitive, squad-based action, but I can't think of any besides Highguard where I can sling spells and bullets from the back of a majestic, galloping bear as I charge in to destroy an enemy fortress. Highguard turned a lot of heads with its flashy reveal at the end of the Game Awards last month, but many were left wanting to know more about this mysterious debut from Wildlight Entertainment , a new studio of Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty veterans.

The developers are first to admit that the intervening month has been quiet, but are confident that the game they've toiled over in secret for four years will speak for itself on release today. I spent a whole day playing the game and interviewing its lead developers and studio founders last week, and I am here to tell you exactly what we're all about to play with Highguard.