The release of Anthem is just around the corner. What you can expect from BioWare’s shooter and more information you should know before buying, we have here for you.
BioWare will release its new action RPG Anthem on February 22. For all those interested who are still unsure if the game is for them, we have compiled six things you should know before purchasing Anthem.
While some players on PC and Xbox One have already been able to dive into Anthem in early access, PS4 players will only be able to experience the shooter in a few hours.
You can find everything about the PS4 release of Anthem here.
1. What is Anthem?
In Anthem, you take on the role of a freelancer. Freelancers are brave warriors who protect the people of the city of Fort Tarsis with their battle suits, known as Javelins.
At launch, there will be four Javelins: Ranger, Storm, Interceptor, and Colossus, each offering different gameplay styles. The Javelins all have different abilities that can be modified.
The story revolves around the titular “Anthem of Creation” – the Anthem of Creation. This powerful anthem causes chaos in the game world by creating or destroying new things.
These changes are expected to be constant in the game, through smaller events or giant Cataclysms, of which players already got a taste in the open demo.
2. Anthem aims to offer a story but remains an online shooter
The developers want to offer an action RPG paired with an MMO shooter in Anthem. However, the typical BioWare story should not fall short.
But if you hope for a comprehensive story like in pure single-player games like Mass Effect or Dragon Age, you will likely be disappointed: Anthem is and remains a multiplayer online game. The story will have less scope than what you would expect from the single-player RPGs from BioWare.
At its core, you will be out in the field with your team, experiencing your adventures. The story is supposed to unfold within Fort Tarsis, where the developers say there is “single-player content” available.
3. What editions are available and what do they cost?
Anthem will be available in the Standard and Legion of Dawn editions. Both versions can already be pre-ordered, but do not alone grant early access. For that, you additionally need the subscription with EA Access or Origin Access.
Here are the costs of each edition:
- Standard Edition: 59.99 Euro (PC), 69.99 Euro (PS4, Xbox One)
- Legion of Dawn Edition: 89.99 Euro (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Bonuses for the Special Edition: The Legion of Dawn Edition includes bonuses such as an armor pack, a legendary weapon, a Javelin gear upgrade, and the digital soundtrack.
How to redeem your bonus content, we have here for you.
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4. This is the long-term motivation Anthem aims to provide
A major factor for long-term motivation in Anthem is the loot system, which aims to follow the Diablo series. Players collect various gear parts with random bonuses that can also have different rarity levels.
For endgame content, various activities await, such as challenges, quests for factions called Contracts, or Strongholds, raid-like dungeons meant to be tackled with a group.
These activities include six difficulty levels:
- Easy
- Normal
- Hard
- Grandmaster 1
- Grandmaster 2
- Grandmaster 3
The Grandmaster levels will only unlock once players reach pilot level 30, the current maximum level. As difficulty increases, loot quality should also improve.
Additionally, BioWare aims to pursue the approach of a TV series with Anthem: The world in the game is supposed to be constantly changing, and events like the powerful Cataclysms could bring new details to the landscape or completely remove them.
5. There will be optional microtransactions, but no loot boxes
In Anthem, there will be optional cosmetic items that players can purchase either with the real-money currency Shards or with Coins. Coins can be earned during gameplay, for example, by completing challenges in the demo.
The developers from BioWare has strictly rejected P2W. Players shall not be able to buy items that make them more powerful. Everything players can purchase with money is cosmetic.
There will also be no loot boxes in Anthem. You should be able to buy items directly in the cash shop without being reliant on chance and loot boxes.
6. How Anthem is received in early tests and early access
In various playtests, the two recent demos, and in the early access, some players have already been able to form an impression of Anthem.
Some gaming journalists had the chance to test Anthem over a longer period and particularly compared it to Destiny 2 and other online shooters. The fast-paced gameplay received praise, but there were doubts about the depth of the story and Anthem’s unique identity.
Our author Gerd Schuhmann believes that Anthem has its roots more in MMORPG than in Destiny. In his opinion, the title is more comparable to a Star Wars: The Old Republic, as a sort of advanced MMORPG, than to Bungie’s loot shooter. BioWare itself does not define Anthem as a shooter, but rather as an action RPG.
Our author Robert noted in his preview report on the demo that flying in Anthem is quite challenging.
Our author Sven finds Anthem refreshing, as indicated by his preview reports of the demo. He is particularly excited about the diverse gameplay of the Javelins: Why Anthem fascinates me like no game in a long time
On our platform MeinMMO, users particularly praise the gameplay:
- The Javelins are quite distinct from each other
- Teamplay makes a big difference
- Numerous options for different skills, loadouts, and weapons help to individualize your playstyle
- Flying with the Javelins feels great, and the vertical gameplay is refreshing
In early access, some players have already reached the endgame and are giving their feedback. Criticism includes the endgame loot, which leaves some players frustrated due to its random bonuses.
Players are divided on various issues, including the story and the endgame content.
Should you buy Anthem or not?
Anthem is for you if: You enjoy loot shooters in the style of Destiny 2 or The Division. You should also like hunting for better gear, like in the Diablo series.
However, it should be noted that Anthem is not a pure loot shooter. The game has strong elements of an RPG and combines these two genres.
If you enjoy experiencing adventures with friends or even with strangers, Anthem might also be something for you. All activities feature matchmaking, so you never have to play alone, even if your friends aren’t available.
Anthem is not for you if: You prefer to compete against other players rather than facing computer-controlled opponents in PvE. Anthem will not have a PvP mode at launch. Whether this will ever be added is uncertain, as the developers want to wait for player feedback first.
If you still don’t want to forfeit a PvP mode, you might want to check out The Division 2, which will be released on March 15 and offers both PvE and PvP content.
You should also enjoy exploring together with other players, because BioWare focuses the shooter entirely on teams of four players. Although some missions can also be completed alone, freeplay is always designed for four players.
Bug fixes and new content announced
With the release in early access, BioWare was able to identify some bugs with the help of the community, which are to be fixed with a day one patch.
In addition, there are some practical changes, such as the end bosses of the strongholds now dropping loot or that the Colossus can now use his shield and revive at the same time.
BioWare has announced the first expansion for Anthem for March. New content will be added, such as new events, missions, a new stronghold, and an expanded progression system.
If you are still uncertain about the purchase due to concerns about long-term motivation, you can wait for this expansion in March. Then it will be easier to assess what the free DLCs will add to Anthem.
