In Anthem, the long-awaited Cataclysm has finally gone live. It even grows week by week and changes. After weeks on the PC test servers, players on PS4 and Xbox One can now participate in the event. But how is the content received that players have been waiting for so long?
What is the Cataclysm? The Cataclysm played a significant role in Anthem even before its release. These were meant to be world-changing catastrophes, which should make Anthem feel like a Netflix series: the maps were to be altered, areas devastated, or new parts added. Characters could have died or new characters could have been introduced.
After the Cataclysm, which was supposed to launch in May, was postponed, the actual event changed as well.
The Cataclysm now takes place on its own map and is a timed activity, where players must eliminate as many enemies as possible. The more enemies defeated and tasks completed, the higher the score, and the more rewards players receive at the end.
In the end, a big final boss awaits, which means the highest chances for juicy loot.
Event will be expanded: Even though the Cataclysm was tested extensively on PC test servers before the release, the event is not set in stone. The Cataclysm in Anthem is changing.
Every week, the rewards that players can work towards change. Additionally, new areas on the Cataclysm map are regularly unlocked, which offer new puzzles and require different approaches.
After Diana’s Landing was added to the event map last week, players can now enjoy the event Castle Kelrik this week.
Reactions ranging from jubilation to frustration
What players are responding positively: In the Anthem subreddit, some freelancers write that they are having fun hunting for loot and trying out different builds for their characters again thanks to the Cataclysm. Anthem has received nine new weapons with the Cataclysm event, which bring unique abilities. Additionally, there’s an entirely new melee slot, for which players must also collect new loot.
An author from Forbes writes that the new event reminds him a bit of Diablo 3. Each round of the Cataclysm would be similar to the Nephalem Rifts. Additionally, players in Anthem not only acquire loot through enemies and the final boss but also through the crystal currency earned during the event. Redeeming this currency would be a little like the blood shard vendor Kadala in Diablo 3.
Why does the event feel like Diablo?
- In Anthem, freelancers earn crystals, which they can then exchange for War Chests. These chests contain random loot.
- In Diablo 3, players can exchange blood shards from Nephalem Rifts or goblins with Kadala. They can choose which slot they need gear for. However, what they receive is always random.
Even at the launch of Anthem, players wanted BioWare to take notes from Diablo 3 regarding loot.
Lag and problems continue to plague Anthem
What is being criticized: Despite the positive mood, there are still some things players are complaining about. Technical problems seem to continue to be a nuisance. Freelancers report lags or crashes.
The loot system with the War Chests is also not well received by all players: The content of the chests is random and can also be for Javelins that the player does not even play.
Additionally, BioWare changes the contents of the chests at regular intervals. If freelancers want to collect all the new items, they have to play regularly and also rely on luck with the War Chests. How players will get the new items after the Cataclysm event is currently unclear. They hope that the gear will eventually be added as a normal drop in Anthem.
Some are also wondering whether BioWare can provide enough content even after the Cataclysm to keep players engaged. The Cataclysm event is supposed to last a total of eight weeks, of which the first two are intended as an “introduction”. What will come after that is still unclear.
