Is EA’s Anthem Worth a Playthrough Before Its Looming Shutdown?

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Upon its release in 2019, BioWare’s Anthem marked a fresh path for the studio, given their reputation for creating single-player, narrative-driven series such as Dragon Age and Mass Effect. However, with its live-service approach setting it apart from previous projects, the game presented a unique departure. Regrettably, the ensuing gameplay fell short of expectations, offering a bumpy and insubstantial experience for players. Despite its visually appealing exterior and promising aspects, these were often overshadowed by glaring flaws. For numerous gamers, Anthem unfortunately served as a warning about the risks of unchecked ambition.

Despite being scheduled to close on January 12, 2026, the tale of Anthem isn’t completely finished yet. In its final stages, the game offers a special chance to those who haven’t tried it before or left early, giving them a firsthand look at what they might have missed. With in-game purchases no longer available, its imperfections well documented, and no more looming exaggerated expectations, maybe Anthem can finally be valued for what it does exceptionally well.

Why Anthem Deserves a Final Flight Before Its Servers Go Dark

Anthem’s Strengths Still Shine Through

One notable asset of the game Anthem has consistently been its flight system. Flying a Javelin is an unmatched experience, given its status as one of the most thrilling movement mechanics in gaming history. It provides players with a fleeting sense of being Iron Man, swooping over breathtaking extraterrestrial vistas. The combat within Anthem is enhanced by these flight mechanics, particularly due to their smoothness, enabling players to execute impressive, grandiose moves during skirmishes against alien foes. To this day, there are scarcely any games that deliver the same level of aerial combat and exploration.

The visuals in Anthem are deserving of much recognition as well. It’s undeniable that its world is a stunning sight to behold, with an extraordinary level of detail put into the environments to make it feel alive and vibrant. The game’s Javelin customization system also adds a unique touch, providing players with greater control over their characters’ appearance compared to many modern RPGs. Furthermore, the soundtrack, particularly the theme song, is memorable, and some of its characters make for engaging conversations. All things considered, there are numerous reasons to revisit or explore it for the first time, given that it will be permanently shutting down soon.

A Game That Means More in Its Final Days

Playing a game like Anthem, which is set to disappear, alters both its playstyle and perspective. Despite Anthem not matching the depth or longevity of other live-service games, the fact that it’s shutting down imbues each moment within its world with added significance. At the very least, playing Anthem today, even amidst its solitude and silence, offers players a chance to draw a line under an ambitious but flawed episode in BioWare’s history. It remains enjoyable, even if it’s just for flying around the world and enjoying the scenery, and there’s also merit in closure. For those who have always pondered whether they missed out on something, Anthem’s final months provide them with an opportunity to verify that they don’t miss this unique experience.

Instead of forgetting Anthem amidst its infamous missteps, it might be worth revisiting this game during its climactic scenes. Those who can appreciate its flaws may find an exclusive gaming adventure unlike any other currently available. Considering it as a sci-fi flying simulator with robotic elements could make the appeal of donning the Javelin suit and taking flight more compelling. At present, there remains a world in Anthem to discover before its story becomes mere history.

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2025-09-13 01:12