| Wildgate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Blast off into the Reach and battle rival space crews in pursuit of the ultimate prize in Wildgate. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Wildgate Review Overview
What is Wildgate?
Wildgate is a PvP multiplayer shooter developed by Moonshot Games and published by Dreamhaven, released on July 22, 2025. The game combines intense ship-to-ship tactical combat with fast-paced FPS action. Players take on the role of unique characters called Prospectors, each equipped with their own special abilities and tools. Set in the dangers of deep space, teams must outmaneuver environmental hazards and rival crews to either escape with the artifact first—or be the last team standing.
Wildgate features:
⚫︎ Multiplayer
⚫︎ PvP
⚫︎ FPS
⚫︎ Ship Combat
⚫︎ Sci-fi
⚫︎ Action
⚫︎ Extraction Shooter
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Wildgate's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
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| $29.99 | |||||
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Artifact Hunt is an Incredibly Unique Game Mode Progression is Fast and Rewarding Exhilarating Ship to Ship Combat |
Lack of Modes to Play Inconsistent Matchmaking Uncooperative Teammates Can Ruin Games Riddled with Bugs |
Wildgate Overall Score - 74/100
Wildgate feels like what you'd get if you mixed Overwatch with Sea of Thieves—a uniquely ambitious blend of hero-based teamwork and ship-focused chaos. It’s a game that demands far more coordination than most PvP shooters, which can be both its greatest strength and occasional weakness. Without solid communication, matches can quickly become frustrating.
That said, when it all clicks—especially with friends—Wildgate offers a genuinely fun and one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a strong foundation that could grow into something even better with a few more game modes and quality-of-life improvements.
Wildgate Story - 6/10
I appreciate that Wildgate has a story and gives its characters some lore with a few stand out few characters stood out characters like Venture and Mophs. That said, it’s clear that the story isn’t the main focus here—it’s more of a bonus than a core part of the experience. Though I do hope they add some sort of story mode events in the future.
Wildgate Gameplay - 9/10
Wildgate is an incredibly fun but highly technical game that takes a few matches to fully grasp. The tutorial only scratches the surface of what Artifact Hunt has to offer. From intense ship and FPS combat, to resource gathering, ship upgrades, piloting, and even encounters with alien wildlife, there's a surprising amount of depth and variety. Each match feels unique, with plenty of engaging systems at play to keep things fresh. However, this is very much a team-focused experience, and the current matchmaking system is inconsistent, often pairing you with players of varying skill levels. Communication is essential, and without it, matches can quickly become chaotic or one-sided. While the core mode is solid, the game would benefit from more game modes to keep the experience diverse and appealing long-term.
Wildgate Visuals - 7/10
Space in Wildgate truly feels alive, capturing a strong sense of awe and adventure through its procedurally generated maps. The game delivers some striking visuals—epic space battles unfolding against backdrops of stars and drifting asteroids help make the Reach feel dynamic and immersive. The Prospector designs, however, are a bit hit or miss. While some characters like Sammo manage to stand out, many tend to look forgettable, making the roster feel less visually interesting than it could be. On top of that, visual bugs occasionally disrupt the immersion, such as character pop-ins, planets failing to render properly, and minor environmental glitches.
Wildgate Audio - 7/10
Wildgate doesn’t break new ground in the audio department, but it gets the job done. The voice acting is amazing across the board, giving each Prospector just enough personality to feel distinct. The music mostly serves as ambient background—it’s serviceable and its pretty dcent. Sound effects for weapons and ships are pretty good too and feels realistic with how ships need ands tuff. Overall, the audio design is functional and competent and gets the job done.
Wildgate Value for Money - 8/10
Wildgate is a refreshingly unique take on the PvP shooter genre, and there's definitely a lot of fun to be had—especially if you enjoy team-based, tactical gameplay. Priced at $30, it offers solid value for what it brings to the table. However, it’s not without its flaws. Bugs, inconsistent matchmaking, and a limited number of modes hold it back quite a bit. It’s also a game that shines best when played with friends, making solo play less appealing. That said, these issues thankfully don’t overshadow the fun experience. The developers have already shared a roadmap that includes new modes like ranked, along with updates, patches, and more. And with crossplay support, it's much easier to get your friends on board. In short, while it has room to grow, Wildgate delivers a solid, engaging experience that’s well worth checking out—especially for fans of strategic team shooters.
Wildgate Review: Pirate’s Life for Me in Zero G
First off, I have to tip my hat to the developers at Dreamhaven—because just like their name suggests, Wildgate really feels like a dream come true in many ways.
I mean, what’s not to love? The premise alone is absolutely mesmerizing. You play as a crew of prospectors venturing into the mysterious Reach in search of priceless Artifacts, all while fending off rival crews and enemies. It’s basically a pirate adventure in space—a wild blend of high-stakes treasure hunting and explosive ship battles.
There’s a definite Star Wars bounty hunter vibe too, with everyone chasing gold, glory, and survival in the lawless frontier. That concept alone sold me on the game—and I’m happy to say, the execution lives up to the promise. Dreamhaven absolutely nailed it with this one.
It’s rare to see a game this unique, ambitious, and refreshing in the multiplayer space, and I’m excited to see how far they’ll take it.
Artifact Hunt is a Pirate Adventure of Epic Proportions
Before diving into Wildgate, I highly recommend playing the tutorial mode. This game has a surprising amount of depth and complexity—it’s far from your average shooter. The main game mode, Artifact Hunt, offers a layered gameplay loop: you spawn with your crew, loot high-risk areas, engage in tactical ship-to-ship and boarding combat, and either extract with the artifact or go down trying. At the start, you’ll choose from one of three prospectors—Venture, Adrian, or Kae—each with distinct roles.
Venture, the explorer, doesn’t require oxygen, regenerates faster, and has a special ability that allows a friendly camera to detect enemies in a cone behind him up to 18 meters, both inside and outside the ship—perfect for scouting and resource gathering. Kae is a boarder who specializes in hijacking ships and can use telekinesis to interact with objects 10 meters away. Adrian, also a boarder, moves faster with his jetpack and excels at quick infiltration.
Understanding each character’s specialization is crucial, especially since Wildgate is a 20-player game with five ships of four players each. Everyone drops into a procedurally generated map called The Reach, where you’ll begin your journey looting Points of Interest for ship gadgets, weapons, fuel, and gear upgrades. Early on, you’ll want to power up your ship with shields or extra fuel and keep an eye out for clues pointing to the artifact’s location.
Probes help narrow down its whereabouts, but the map is filled with threats—from alien creatures guarding loot to intense dogfights with rival crews. Combat is exhilarating and dynamic. You can disable enemy ships by boarding or bombard them with turrets, but be prepared to multitask: fires, broken doors, and damaged cannons need constant attention, and any lapse could cost you your life.
At first, the complexity might feel overwhelming. The tutorial covers the basics, but it takes a few matches to truly understand your role and how to adapt to the chaos. That said, once you get into the rhythm, the gameplay loop becomes incredibly rewarding. No two matches feel the same—sometimes it’s quiet until the final seconds, other times it’s an all-out brawl right from the start. When your team coordinates and works together, it’s pure magic.
Voice chat is especially helpful if you’re playing with randoms, as communication can make or break a mission. Every role matters, but the pilot probably has the most pressure since they guide the crew’s journey, decide where to go, and manage resources. Still, gunners and boarders play equally critical roles, and the immersive ship battles really make you feel like you’re part of a crew fighting for survival.
Even in defeat, the game remains satisfying. You unlock new loadout items by progressing through Adventure tracks and chapters, which can be activated and tracked via the Rewards tab. Progression is generous, and there are plenty of free rewards. While the in-game store mostly offers cosmetics, unlocking new prospectors takes time—but it’s worth it, especially since many of them bring powerful new abilities to the table. It’s a game that constantly tempts you to play one more round, and with each match, you find yourself falling deeper into the addictive chaos of space piracy.
Ship-to-Ship Combat Feels Like a True Pirate Skirmish
If you loved the naval battles in Assassin’s Creed, the chaos of Pirate Majima, or the team-focused action of Sea of Thieves, then you’ll absolutely enjoy the ship combat in Wildgate. In my opinion, it's one of the most complex yet rewarding ship battle systems in any game. Coordination with your crew is absolutely essential—this isn't just about piloting a ship and shooting cannons. One moment you’re calmly cruising through the space sea in search of resources, and the next, you're thrown into a full-blown battle against enemy crews.
The depth of the ship combat is incredible. You’re constantly juggling tasks—blasting enemy ships with turrets, repairing damage with your multi-purpose tool, fighting off boarders, or even boarding enemy ships yourself. Every role matters, and failing to maintain your ship—whether it’s putting out fires, fixing broken doors, or recharging damaged weapons—can quickly lead to defeat.
What makes it so satisfying is how high-stakes everything feels. Ship battles are challenging, but when you manage to outplay and destroy an enemy ship, it’s exhilarating. Things get even more intense when multiple teams are involved mid-match—it becomes chaotic, strategic, and absolutely thrilling.
Each ship brings something different to the table. While I feel the Bastion might be a bit underpowered at the moment, the rest of the ships feel well-balanced and fun to play. And with a good team, you can truly maximize your strategy—one player piloting and maneuvering, another controlling lower dock weapons, someone else defending, and another going in for the board. All while managing your own Prospector’s oxygen levels, charge, tools, and combat readiness.
And let’s not forget the adrenaline rush when two teams are racing toward the Artifact, both locked in a chase for victory. It genuinely feels like chaotic pirate warfare in space—and when it works, it's some of the most fun you can have in a multiplayer game.
Needs More Space Fights!
I really hope Ranked mode arrives soon, because it could be a game-changer for Wildgate. Not only would it encourage more players to stick around, but it could also help reduce the number of disconnects and troll behavior, as players would have more incentive to take matches seriously. The game’s core loop is perfectly suited for ranked play, with its mix of skill-based mechanics and team coordination. Climbing the ladder with a well-synced crew would be incredibly satisfying and give the game even more long-term appeal.
I’m glad the devs have already confirmed that Ranked is on the roadmap, but I do hope it launches sooner rather than later. Right now, there are only three modes—Artifact Hunt, AI battles, and Practice—and while Artifact Hunt is a blast, the matches can be quite long. Sometimes, you just want a shorter, faster-paced option, especially if you’re tight on time.
I'd love to see a quick skirmish mode added—something like a smaller map deathmatch where teams fight it out in close quarters with faster pacing. It would offer more variety and keep matches feeling fresh. A chaotic, all-out ship brawl sounds like exactly the kind of content that could complement the more strategic core modes while also appealing to casual players.
In Space, No One Can Hear You
Matchmaking in Wildgate is currently a real hit or miss. This is why I think a ranked mode can’t come soon enough—it would go a long way in creating more balanced and fair matches by pairing players with others of similar skill levels. As it stands, 3 out of 5 games tend to feel lopsided. You're either matched with complete beginners who are still figuring out the controls, or up against highly experienced players who board your ship within minutes and wipe your team before you can react.
This imbalance often makes matches feel like a drag, especially when your team lacks coordination. While I’ll give credit where it’s due—I haven’t run into any toxic players in voice or text chat, which is a rare and refreshing thing—the lack of communication is still a major issue. In a game that relies so heavily on teamwork, having teammates who don’t ping, use voice chat, or just flat-out go AFK really kills the momentum.
I’ve had matches where players troll, ignore objectives like the Artifact, or pilot the ship aimlessly, clearly unsure of what they’re doing. But the most frustrating moments are when teammates refuse to help with ship maintenance—leaving fires burning, ignoring cooldowns, or simply not stepping into their assigned roles like Defender or Explorer. Too often, players treat Wildgate like just another PvP shooter, focusing only on combat and completely missing the layered teamwork that makes the game unique.
All of this really drives home the point: Wildgate is at its best when played with friends. With good communication and clear roles, the game becomes incredibly fun and rewarding. So if you’re thinking of jumping in, bring your crew—because when everyone works together, it’s an experience unlike any other.
Houston, We Have a Bug
Wildgate was in beta for quite some time, and I do wish more of the bugs had been ironed out before launch. While it's understandable that bugs are common in live service games, some of the issues here can be frequent and genuinely frustrating.
During my time with the game, I encountered several environmental glitches—certain areas of the Reach wouldn’t load properly unless I exited the ship, and there were times the teleport function just didn’t work. I also ran into strange moments where aliens I had clearly defeated would remain standing, unable to be shot, or characters would randomly disappear or clip through the environment.
It’s annoying, no doubt—but to the devs’ credit, they’ve been responsive and active in addressing issues. Still, I really hope these bugs get smoothed out soon, because the game’s foundation is strong and deserves that extra polish.
Is Wildgate Worth It?
Yes and Convince Your Friends Too!
Despite its flaws, Wildgate is undeniably fun. Even if you’re playing solo, there’s still a good time to be had—especially if you’re willing to step up and take the lead. Matchmaking can be hit or miss, but it helps you learn quickly, and you still have a fair shot at winning. That said, the game truly shines when played with friends.
Thankfully, crossplay makes that easy—your friends can join you whether they’re on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC. And at $30, it’s a solid deal packed with unique gameplay and cool features, with more content on the way.
Wildgate also isn’t just about shooting—there’s a variety of roles to play. Whether it's steering the ship, managing resources, or piloting the probe, even friends who aren't usually into FPS games can find a role they enjoy. It’s a team game through and through—and when everything clicks, it's awesome.
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox |
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| $29.99 | |||||
Wildgate FAQ
Does Wildgate Have Crossplay?
Yes, Wildgate has crossplay and cross-progression.
How Many Prospectors are there in Wildgate?
Players choose from a variety of roles known as Prospectors, each with unique classes, abilities, and specialties. Some of the current Prospectors include:
⚫︎ Venture – Explorer who doesn’t require oxygen and regenerates health faster
⚫︎ Sammo – Ship Defender
⚫︎ Sal – Engineer
⚫︎ Ion, Mophs, Adrian, and Kae – Boarders with distinct combat styles
Game8 Reviews
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Wildgate Product Information
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| Title | Wildgate |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 22, 2025 |
| Developer | Dreamhaven |
| Publisher | Dreamhaven |
| Supported Platforms | PS5, PC, Xbox Series XIS |
| Genre | FPS, PvP |
| Number of Players | 20 (4 Players in 5 Teams) |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Wildgate Website |
