Anthem has now launched into the VIP demo, granting early access to pre-orderers. The first hours of the demo have been marked by server issues and bugs. However, many who managed to play Anthem are thrilled.
This is what happened: Right after the start of the VIP demo, servers crashed on all platforms. Some managed to get into the game. Those who can play without major issues are excited. Above all, the feeling of flying with the Javelin is praised.
Technical problems and bugs: Initially, it seemed that the problems were primarily due to server instability. However, it is now clear that Anthem is also struggling with some bugs in the demo.
Known bugs include
- players getting stuck on a loading screen when going on a mission
- players unable to unlock the second Javelin
In our live ticker for the Anthem demo, you can see the problems in detail and exchange ideas.
In the meantime, Origin even went completely down. This is EA’s in-house distribution platform. It also becomes clear that the developers had significant technical difficulties.
Technical problems frustrate players
As an experienced MMO player, one is actually used to the fact that the launch of a new game never goes smoothly. Server problems are often part of the deal. Nevertheless, such a catastrophic start leaves players who are experiencing issues quite frustrated.
VIP demo access must be paid for: Those who want access to the VIP demo must pre-order Anthem. This grants pre-orderers early access. A free demo of Anthem will follow. It’s as if these players have now paid for a stress test.
Friend keys leave a bitter aftertaste: With the VIP demo, every player receives three codes that they can distribute to friends. This is a nice gesture in itself. This way, you can assemble a complete team for the demo.
However, these codes were also sold by some pre-orderers for a small amount of money. The developers at BioWare tweeted several times with VIP demo codes just before the demo.
The friend keys have turned a VIP demo into a “demo for VIPs and three times as many others”. This influx of players was likely underestimated by EA and BioWare.
What was initially meant as a nice gesture now leaves a bitter aftertaste. Particularly for players who actually pre-ordered Anthem and paid for it.
Anthem demo feels like a beta: The demo of Anthem is different from betas as you normally know them. The demo is a somewhat limited version of the game that is meant to showcase as much as possible.
However, due to the many technical problems, many players feel as if they are playing a beta after all. This emerges from some personal conversations the author held with demo players. Server issues are one thing, but encountering such critical bugs is something else entirely.
This is what MeinMMO readers say about the issues:
DrPimp: “Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered and is now participating in the bug fixing so that we can play carefree and fully next weekend.”
Tebo: “I think it’s great that there’s finally a real demo again. But what are they thinking with this? It worked in the alpha!
During every release of an online game, regardless of which game, the servers crash. After a few hours of server maintenance, it always works again. What’s going on?”
Jens Schuch: “I am more hyped about Anthem than I have been about any game before. It may be that the error was completely unforeseeable. But let’s be honest: If I promote something like this, generating such extreme expectations in potentially interested parties, there must be a Plan B in case something goes wrong. The demo is a crucial aspect for a potential purchase.”
Much positive feedback for Anthem’s gameplay
It is striking that the general tone about Anthem’s gameplay is positive. The technical difficulties are annoying, but many find Anthem enjoyable.
In the MeinMMO Discord channel for Anthem , demo players are actively discussing the gameplay. The Discord currently has 3,580 members (as of January 26). Players also express their positive opinions about the game itself in articles about Anthem.
This is what MeinMMO readers say about the gameplay:
Cherubii: “I am already quite positive about the game itself, when it is playable:
- The Javelins differ quite a bit from each other,
- the difficulty level is definitely not too low and
- team play can make a huge difference.
- You have a lot of options to play different builds with different purposes through the various loadouts, skills, and weapons.
- With flying, evading, and running, it actually feels quite dynamic and
- you definitely can’t afford to just rush at enemies or remain in the air constantly to easily mow everything down.
Anthem certainly has its weaknesses and room for improvement, but the world itself is beautifully designed and expansive. The loading screens in between are a bit annoying, and you have to find the right “class” for yourself.”
Sunface: “The technical problems cannot be ignored; they are present. Nonetheless, I was able to complete the available missions and once again find that the gameplay simply feels amazing.
By now, the last person should also realize that Anthem is an RPG and not a shooter. It is nowhere near like Destiny.”
ShoulderDevil: “For me, things even went quite quickly yesterday. I tried free play. I had to get used to the controls a bit at first, but then it went really well. The world is also quite well made. The “events” so far are nothing new, but it’s still fun, and that counts too.”
Cadeyrn 85: “I really like the level and encounter design, the sound is amazing and the world is beautifully crafted. And I can fly like a hefty Iron Man. The stories of the quests are typically great for BioWare.”
Negative feedback on gameplay: Some aspects are already being criticized regarding the gameplay.
- On Reddit a post reached 1,400 upvotes regarding the running speed in Fort Tarsis. Many feel it moves too slowly.
- There are some loading screens in the open world. Many players did not expect this.
- Some players report that they find the flight controls awkward.
Problems are slowly easing
Players are increasingly reporting that they can now enter the demo better. However, the loading screen bug continues to cause issues for many. It’s said that restarting the game directly helps.
The community manager of Anthem, Jesse Anderson, assured that the team is working around the clock to resolve the issues.
Demo version is not the release version: The demo of Anthem differs in build from the release title. The demo is said to be 6 weeks behind the final build regarding bugs and technical issues. It remains to be seen if Anthem will struggle with such serious problems again on release.
How is it for you? Can you currently play the demo, and what do you think of the gameplay itself?
