What Anthem (video game) is and why it matters in modern gaming

Anthem is a multiplayer action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. You pilot powerful exosuits called Javelins in a futuristic world, teaming up with other players to explore, fight, and complete missions. Its gameplay centers on cooperative multiplayer, combining flight, combat, and customization, but the game received mixed reviews due to story, content, and technical issues.

What is Anthem and how do you play it?

Anthem takes place in Bastion, a vibrant world featuring diverse environments like jungles, canyons, and ancient ruins. You play as a Freelancer, piloting a Javelin suit to explore these areas, fight enemies, and complete missions. The gameplay focuses on teaming up with up to three other players to tackle objectives such as defeating enemies or investigating strongholds.

Exploration involves flying through the open world while avoiding hazards and enemy attacks. Combat is fast-paced and aerial, relying on quick movements, weapon variety, and special abilities. You can switch between missions or explore the free world, where dynamic events and challenges encourage teamwork. Multiplayer is central to the experience, as many missions become more manageable and rewarding when played cooperatively.

What are Javelin exosuits and how do they shape gameplay?

Javelins are the suits you control, each offering a distinct playstyle and abilities. The four main types are:

• Ranger: A balanced suit with a mix of mobility and firepower, suitable for most situations.
• Colossus: A heavy suit with strong defenses and powerful weapons, designed to absorb damage and deliver heavy attacks.
• Storm: A lighter suit specializing in elemental magic attacks like lightning and fire, capable of flying higher.
• Interceptor: A fast, agile suit focused on close combat and quick strikes.

Your choice of Javelin shapes how you approach missions. For instance, you might use Colossus to hold defensive positions while Storms and Rangers provide ranged support. Javelins can be customized with various weapons and gear to fit your preferred style. Mastering their abilities—such as flight bursts, shields, and elemental attacks—is key to overcoming Anthem’s challenges.

Why did Anthem receive mixed reactions from players and critics?

Anthem was praised for its impressive graphics, flight mechanics, and the idea of cooperative play with customizable suits. However, it faced criticism for several reasons:

• Story and Characters: The narrative felt underdeveloped and generic, lacking the strong character development and plot depth typical of BioWare games.
• Content Depth: At launch, the game offered limited mission variety and endgame activities, which led to repetitive gameplay.
• Technical Issues: Bugs, server instability, and performance problems negatively affected the multiplayer experience.
• Progression and Loot: The leveling and gear systems were grind-heavy and not rewarding enough, reducing motivation to keep playing.

These issues led to a mixed reception, with many players acknowledging the game's potential but feeling it fell short in execution.

What misconceptions do people have about Anthem?

Some players mistakenly think Anthem is mainly a single-player game, but it is designed for multiplayer cooperation. While solo play is possible, many missions are easier or more rewarding with a team.

Another common misunderstanding concerns the live-service model. Players expected frequent, substantial content updates and expansions, but Anthem’s updates were slower and less significant than anticipated.

Regarding loot and progression, some assumed it would function like typical loot shooters with constant upgrades, but Anthem’s system was more limited and less varied. This inconsistency frustrated players, especially when rare gear drops were unpredictable.

Finally, some believe the game’s problems were only technical, but many issues stemmed from design choices like mission variety and story pacing.

What is the current status of Anthem and its future prospects?

After launch, BioWare released patches and updates to fix bugs and improve gameplay. They announced a major overhaul called Anthem 2.0, which aimed to address core problems and add content, but the project was eventually canceled.

Today, Anthem remains playable in its original form, with no major new expansions planned. The servers are still online, so multiplayer missions remain accessible.

While Anthem won’t see further development, it still offers its original experience—particularly its flight mechanics and cooperative combat. If you decide to try it, expect a game with some rough edges but unique elements not common in many live-service games.

Conclusion

Anthem focuses on cooperative multiplayer action with customizable Javelin suits and flight-based combat. Although it has strong visuals and an interesting concept, the game struggles with story depth, content variety, and technical issues. The original game is still available to play without upcoming expansions. If you enjoy teaming up for fast-paced missions in a sci-fi setting, Anthem might still be worth your time despite its flaws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play Anthem solo or is it only multiplayer?

You can play solo, but many missions are designed to be more manageable and rewarding when played with a team.

Is Anthem still receiving updates or new content?

No major updates or expansions are planned since the cancellation of Anthem 2.0, but the game remains supported with servers active for multiplayer.

Are the Javelin suits customizable?

Yes, you can customize Javelins with different weapons and gear to match your playstyle and mission needs.