Anthem: Still Worth Playing In 2024?

Hey everyone, let's talk about Anthem. Remember that game? It launched back in 2019 with a lot of hype, promising to be the next big thing in the looter-shooter genre. We were all stoked, thinking we'd get a Destiny-killer with awesome flying and a cool sci-fi setting. But, as we all know, things didn't exactly go as planned. So, the big question is: is Anthem still worth playing in 2024? Let's dive in, guys, and see what's what.

The Rise and Fall of Anthem: A Quick Recap

Before we get into whether or not you should still be playing Anthem, let's do a quick recap of the game's history. Anthem, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, hit the shelves with a lot of promise. The gameplay was centered around a unique "Javelin" exosuit system, allowing players to soar through the air, battle enemies with futuristic weapons, and team up with friends to complete missions. The visuals were stunning, the world was beautiful, and the initial gameplay felt really fun. Seriously, who didn't want to fly around in a superpowered suit? But, that's where the good news essentially ended. Unfortunately, Anthem was plagued with issues from the start. The game had a multitude of problems, including a lack of content, repetitive missions, a clunky user interface, and game-breaking bugs. The story felt disjointed, and the promised depth of the world just wasn't there. Furthermore, the game was riddled with technical problems, including long loading times and server instability. This resulted in an enormous backlash from the community, and the game quickly lost its player base. BioWare tried to salvage the situation, promising a major overhaul of the game, dubbed "Anthem Next," but that never happened. In early 2021, EA officially announced that they were ending development on Anthem, effectively killing any chance of a revival. It was a sad story, really. It was a game that had so much potential, but due to poor execution and a lack of support, it ultimately failed to live up to its promise. Still, let's remember the Anthem experience, a cautionary tale, and a reminder of how difficult it can be to deliver on the promises of the gaming industry.

Gameplay and What Made Anthem Unique

Okay, guys, even though things didn't work out perfectly, there were some seriously cool things about Anthem. Let's talk about the gameplay, and what made it unique. First off, the flying. Honestly, the ability to fly around in your Javelin was one of the most fun things about the game. The controls were smooth and responsive, and the feeling of soaring through the air was exhilarating. It made traversing the game world a joy, and it added a new dimension to combat. The different Javelin classes also offered a lot of variety in gameplay. Each suit had its own unique abilities and playstyle, allowing players to experiment with different builds and find what worked best for them. The Colossus was a tank that could soak up damage. The Storm could unleash elemental attacks from a distance. The Interceptor was a fast-moving melee class. The Ranger was a more balanced, versatile class. The customization options were also pretty neat. Players could customize their Javelins with different paint jobs, armor pieces, and weapon attachments. It allowed for some level of personalization, but it wasn't as deep as many players hoped. The combat itself was also pretty enjoyable, especially when you combined abilities with your teammates. The different Javelin classes had different strengths and weaknesses, so teamwork was important for success. When everything worked, the combat felt fluid, powerful, and visually impressive. Anthem may have stumbled, but the gameplay concept was solid and really fun. If the game had delivered on its promises, it would have been truly something special.

Why Anthem Ultimately Failed

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of why Anthem crashed and burned. Guys, there's no single reason, it's a combination of different issues. One of the biggest problems was the lack of content. The game launched with a limited amount of missions, and they quickly became repetitive. There wasn't enough to keep players engaged in the long run. The story was also a mess. It was disjointed, confusing, and didn't do a good job of drawing players into the world. The characters were forgettable, and the plot never really took off. Another big issue was the technical problems. Anthem had long loading times, server instability, and a bunch of bugs. These problems were frustrating and ruined the experience for many players. The user interface was clunky and difficult to navigate, making it hard to manage your inventory and customize your Javelin. There were also design flaws in the game's core systems. The loot system was unrewarding, with players often receiving underwhelming rewards for their efforts. The endgame content was lacking, offering little to do after players reached the level cap. Communication between BioWare and the community was also a problem. They did not effectively address the issues. They did not listen to feedback. This lack of transparency and responsiveness further damaged the game's reputation. It's a sad story, because a lot of these problems could have been fixed. But by the time BioWare was willing to invest the resources, the damage was already done. Anthem's failure serves as a reminder of how important it is to deliver a polished, complete product. And that communication, transparency, and responsiveness are just as important as the game itself.

Anthem in 2024: Is There Anyone Still Playing?

So, the million-dollar question: Is anyone still playing Anthem in 2024? The short answer is: probably not many. The game's servers are still online, but the player base is incredibly small. You're unlikely to find a full squad to play with, and you may struggle to find other players to team up with for the limited content. The lack of updates and new content means the game hasn't evolved since its initial release. There have been no new events, no new missions, and no new features. If you are a die-hard fan, or if you still have friends who play, you might be able to find a group to play with. But for the vast majority of players, Anthem in 2024 is essentially a single-player experience. The lack of a thriving community takes away a significant part of the fun of a looter-shooter, where the experience is designed to be shared with others. So, if you're thinking about jumping back in, or if you're a new player considering trying it out, be prepared for a solo adventure. You're unlikely to find the bustling community or the exciting new content that you'd expect from a modern looter-shooter. It's a shame because, as we said, the game had a lot of potential. But, the reality is that Anthem has been abandoned and forgotten by a lot of players.

The Future of Anthem: What Could Have Been

It's impossible not to wonder, what could have been. If BioWare had been given more time and resources, or if they'd made different decisions along the way, Anthem could have been a real contender. Imagine if they had followed through with their plans for Anthem Next. What if they had listened to the community and addressed the issues that plagued the game? What if they had released new content regularly, keeping players engaged and invested? We'll never know. But, it's fun to speculate. Maybe we would have seen new Javelin classes, new weapons, and new missions. Maybe the story would have been more compelling, and the world would have felt more alive. Perhaps, the game would have evolved into something truly special. But, that's just a dream. The reality is that Anthem is gone, and the future is uncertain. There's always a chance that EA might revisit the game someday, but it's highly unlikely. The cost of bringing Anthem back would probably be too high, and the risk of failure would be too great. So, for now, we're left with the memories of what could have been and a valuable lesson about the importance of execution, support, and community engagement in the gaming industry.

Should You Play Anthem in 2024? Final Thoughts

Okay, guys, time for the final verdict. Should you play Anthem in 2024? Honestly, it depends. If you're looking for a new, engaging looter-shooter experience, then Anthem is probably not the right choice for you. The lack of content, the small player base, and the absence of updates make it hard to recommend. If you're a die-hard fan who still enjoys the core gameplay, or if you're curious to experience the game for yourself, then you might still have some fun with it. You'll need to go in with realistic expectations, and be prepared for a mostly solo experience. However, there are many other great looter-shooters out there. Games like Destiny 2, Warframe, and even recent releases like Remnant 2 offer a richer, more polished experience with a larger community and regular updates. The choice is ultimately yours. But, if you're on the fence, maybe it's best to look elsewhere. The memories of Anthem will persist in the minds of players. It serves as a reminder of both what makes gaming so enjoyable and the difficulty of delivering a perfect gaming experience.