Anthem: A Modern Masterpiece of Gaming
Anthem, a 2019 online multiplayer action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, has taken the gaming industry by storm. Despite its mixed reviews at launch, Anthem has evolved into a modern masterpiece of gaming that is enjoyed by millions around the world. In this article, we’ll explore the game’s features, gameplay mechanics, and future potential.
Development History of Anthem
Anthem marked BioWare’s first attempt at creating a shared-world online multiplayer game, as the studio gained fame through their single-player RPG titles such as Dragon Age: Inquisition and Mass Effect. After its announcement at E3 2017, Anthem’s release was initially scheduled for late 2018 but was delayed several times due to development issues. Despite having a rocky launch, the game has been updated several times over the years with various improvements and content additions.
Gameplay Mechanics of Anthem
Anthem’s gameplay mechanics revolve around players taking control of exosuits called Javelins, which are equipped with a variety of unique abilities and weapons. Each Javelin has distinct features and abilities suited to different playstyles. Players can choose from four different Javelins available to them – Ranger, Colossus, Interceptor, and Storm.
The game’s world is set in a post-apocalyptic society where humanity is confined to a walled city known as Fort Tarsis, where they receive mission assignments and plot progression. The game also has an open-world known as Bastion, which players can freely roam while completing missions and battling creatures known as the Dominion, Scars, and Outlaws.
One of the standout features of Anthem is the game’s verticality, allowing players to use their Javelins’ abilities to fly around the game’s open-world and dive into its harsh landscapes. The center of most missions involves combat against these formidable enemies, using the exosuits’ unique abilities and weapons to achieve victory, earn loot, and level up.
Features and Content in Anthem
In a bid to expand the game’s offerings and keep players engaged, Anthem includes a range of features and content both in the game and outside it. One of these features includes Strongholds, which are tough missions that players can take on with their friends or random players, providing a challenging end-game experience.
Along with Strongholds, players can enjoy Contracts – side missions that can be completed for rewards – and Freeplay, which is an uninterrupted exploration of the game’s open world without any objectives or limitations. Players can also have the freedom to customize their Javelins with a variety of cosmetic items and mods, enhance their gear with crafting, and use factions to unlock more mission types and earn rewards.
Additionally, outside the game proper, BioWare has established a well-curated community of enthusiastic players, known as the Anthem Community, who get insights into the game’s latest updates, tips, and tricks. The gaming community has also produced hundreds of fan-made guides and tutorials to help new players join the game and reach new heights.
Future Potential of Anthem
Even though the game did not live up to expectations at launch, BioWare has not given up on Anthem and continues to work on its developmental patches and future expansions. The improvements have already yielded a noticeable change in Anthem’s performance and stability, as well as adding new features and content to keep the player base engaged.
EA also announced the development of a remake or relaunch of the game known as Anthem 2.0, which aims to fix the game’s problematic issues by introducing a new system design and reworking the core mechanics. While there is no release date set, EA has reaffirmed their commitment to the game and is excited to share more details soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is Anthem multiplayer only?
A. Yes, Anthem is an online multiplayer game that requires players to be connected to the internet to play.
Q. Can I play Anthem solo?
A. Yes, players can play Anthem solo, and the game features a matchmaking system to find other players to team up with.
Q. Is Anthem still worth playing?
A. Yes, Anthem is still worth playing despite its rocky start, and the game has improved significantly over the years.
Q. How is Anthem different from other RPG games?
A. Anthem features a unique gameplay mechanics, particularly with its use of exosuits, allowing for a highly vertical gameplay experience.
In conclusion, Anthem is a thoroughly enjoyable game, offering an expansive world with unique features and mechanics, both in-game and outside it. While the game’s rocky start left many fans disappointed, BioWare and EA’s commitment to fixing the fundamental problems and introducing new features gives Anthem the potential to redeem itself and be one of the best games in years to come.