Introduction

Anthem. BioWare's ambitious leap into the world of looter shooters that promised the thrills of flying around in fancy exosuits, battling beasties, and collecting loot that would make a hoarder proud. What we got instead is more like the sad trombone of gaming experiences—an interesting idea with execution that left us yearning for something more. Buckle up, dear reader, as we dive into the comedy of errors that is Anthem.

Gameplay

Picture this: You’re a Freelancer, adorned in a shiny Javelin suit. Your objective? To save humanity from terrifying creatures and unpredictable ‘Shaper Storms’. Sounds fun, right? The flight controls are literally the highlight—zooming around the beautiful land of Coda while feeling like Iron Man on a caffeine high. However, you'd be spending a lot more time than you'd like doing missions that can make even the most patient gamer scream "Is this groundhog day?" You'll be repeating the same quests, battling skippable enemies while grinding for loot to craft uber gear—only to find the loot rates are just a sneaky joke. Yeah, good luck finding that new shiny piece of armor hidden beneath a mountain of mind-numbingly repetitive content. The choices you make? Mostly aesthetic. Romantic attachments? Nope, this isn't Mass Effect, buddy. You've got friend-zoned NPCs here. So, buckle in for monotony! But let’s not entirely throw Anthem under the bus. The combat can be fun, mixing both shooter mechanics and RPG elements. Just don’t expect anything too deep—like someone asking for an explanation on the plot of a Michael Bay movie.

Graphics

Graphically speaking, Anthem looks about as good as your uncle's vacation photos, minus the awkward tan lines. The landscapes can be a sight to behold, with vibrant colors and stunning lighting. Every time you launch into the air, it feels like the sky is your runway. But even the most breathtaking visuals suffer when you realize you're flying over the same spots for the hundredth time. Kind of like seeing the same mountains in your hometown. But it’s not all tight jumpsuits and swooping through the skies. You may come to notice some frame rate drops, texture pop-ins, and loading screens that could make a sloth look like it’s in a hurry. Seriously, my laundry would be done by the time this game loads sometimes. Perhaps they should have called it "Anthem: Load Screen Simulator."

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of things, Anthem serves as a cautionary tale for gaming ambitions. An unfinished symphony of excitement that left players buffering between hopeful anticipation and crushing disappointment. It tried to be the crème de la crème of cooperative gaming but ended up more like a soggy biscuit at a family gathering—just something to consume when the quality snacks are gone. So if you’re still determined to play Anthem, prepare yourself for a wild ride. Just don’t forget to update your expectations, and maybe don’t hold your breath. After all, the Anthem of Creation may sound powerful, but the rhythms of mediocrity are a much more accurate tune for this one.

See Latest Prices for Anthem on PS4 on Amazon