Anthem

[James]

I need your help!
I've watched and heard a reasonable amount about Anthem over the past week (Giant Bomb's Unfinished vid, TCGS' stream, and some podcasts also) and I am absolutely befuddled by the complaints, especially those that Destiny players have been raising.

Let's play a game of 'Destiny or Anthem?'...
Generic sci-fi?
Poorly-delivered lore?
Repetitive missions?
Weirdly-stilted hub area?
Directionless in freeroam?

I'm not particularly interested in Anthem, and certainly don't feel any need to defend a game I haven't played against criticisms from those who have. In fact, I completely buy every criticism I've heard based on what I've seen. I just find it bizarre that Anthem is being criticised for how similar to Destiny it is, by people who like Destiny. I've heard loads about how Destiny has improved since release, but little to persuade me that it has tackled the complete lack of drive/focus I felt once the campaigns ended.

The only complaint I've heard that applies solely to Anthem was that the shooting felt lacklustre, which is an aspect that I (and I think many people) think Bungie nailed. For any of Destiny's failings, the gunplay was always the ace up its sleeve for me.

Which makes some of the response to Anthem's recent previews/beta all the more confusing. Several times I've heard people wonder aloud what Anthem's unique selling point is (what's the ace up its sleeve, if you will), what it does that Destiny doesn't. Surely they noticed, IT'S THAT YOU CAN FLY!

Once again, I ought say that I haven't played Anthem. I have played Destiny though, and I recognise these criticisms all too well.

So, the help I asked for? Can anyone please shed light on what it is about Anthem that's leaving Destiny players cold?

For whatever it's worth, the criticisms have actually stoked my interest in trying Anthem out this weekend, so I guess that's something.

Anyone looking forward to Anthem? I was mildly surprised I couldn't find an Anthem thread already underway.

[DomsBeard]

On paper I should be all over Anthem (bioware doing destiny) but I am not interested in the slightest.

Releasing the beta on the launch weekend of Resi 2 seemed a bit silly as I downloaded it then saw the dates and didn't touch it.

I will give it a go when the inevitable 10 hour trial appears on EA access.

[James]

The beta is on again this weekend (open to all this time), but yeah, we're only two weeks away from the early-access trial.

Can't remember a "big" release with as little forum interest as Anthem seems to have. Interested to see how it does.

[Suits]

For me, the desire for a online multiplayer loot-shooter has dwindled massively.

The original Destiny style gameplay felt new and compelling when it first came out in a way that was refreshing. It felt like a focused Boarderlands made by mates who made Halo.

Destiny ruled my life for a long while, the second one missed it’s mark with me, which was probably more to do with my tastes changing not the game changing.

After Mass effect Andromeda, sadly, my faith in BioWare’s ability to deliver a game I want to invest time in - is slight.

These things combined have left me feeling flat but mildly interested in Anthem.

Hearing that the gunplay feels lacklustre, is the biggest downer in the multitude of hot-takes I’ve taken in.

If it turns out to be something I think I need to try, then I will but unfortunately all Anthem has done thus far is make me want to play Destiny 2 again.

It’ll be interesting to see how this turns out.

[dezm0nd]

Its all down to reviews for me. Too many of these live service/hobby games are hit and miss and given the recent fallout76 nightmare i must admit im a bit skeptical

Bioware have every right to step out their comfort zone though and i hope its good but nothing has gotten me excited to play it at all

[James]

If Rainbow Six Siege, Destiny/2, Warframe and The Division are anything to go by, we should probably wait a year before playing any games-as-service.

Still kinda umm-ing and ahh-ing over the open beta this weekend though, so what do I know?!

[Suits]

If I can log on, do a bit by myself and get a fulfilling experiance - then maybe I’m interested.

I just can’t commit to logging on every night anymore to keep up with the Joneses.

[James]

Yeah, entirely understandable.

As I've said elsewhere on the forum, I keep feeling a momentary, but ridiculous pull towards R6 Siege, Warframe, Destiny 2, The Division 2 and Anthem. The fact that I won't play with others, and that the two of them I've properly tried left me largely cold, seem to escape my tiny brain at times.

I'd be far better off making Street Fighter V or Mortal Kombat 11 my regular game, as I don't need to have a group to play with, and I might actually develop some modicum of skill at a gaming genre I love.

[Magical_Isopod]

I hate it on principle because it's a me-too "live services" game that will undoubtedly be designed from the ground up to be a boring grindfest for players who don't dish out rent every month just to make the game engaging.

[Sinclair Gregstrum]

I'm going to buck the trend a bit by saying I'm looking forward to Anthem and will probably pick it up at release to play with my regular co-op buddy if reviews are decent.

It looks beautiful and there's been a lot of positive feedback around the actual gameplay loop and how it feels to play.

I've also not had my confidence in Bioware so hugely shaken as some have by Mass Effect Andromeda. The studio has a long and storied history of fantastic games, so to write them off after Andromeda seems a tad reactionary to me, particularly when it wasn't actually developed by the 'A' team in Austin making Anthem but rather the now defunct Edmonton studio.

I also probably won't play it as live service type game so not really bothered by that side of things. I'll play all the content on offer, play whatever campaign/story there is and bounce. I did that with both Destiny titles, having a fun 25-30 hours that more than justified that price of entry and moved on.

Just because these games do go on and keep evolving it doesn't mean you have to go along with them, and as long as they give you enough of good time up front (which the Destinies did for me at least) then it shouldn't be a problem.

[ratsoalbion]

For me it’s not about writing off BioWare after ME:A, it’s that there seems to have been a distinct downward trajectory, starting with DAII, ME3, DA:I and continuing through as most of the studio’s key creative talent has upped sticks.

The BioWare that’s making Anthem is an EA studio, and bears no meaningful relationship with the people who made the classics bearing the label.

That doesn’t mean Anthem can’t be worthwhile of course, but I don’t even really consider it a BioWare game in the ways that matter.

[Magical_Isopod]

For me it’s not about writing off BioWare after ME:A, it’s that there seems to have been a distinct downward trajectory, starting with DAII, ME3, DA:I and continuing through as most of the studio’s key creative talent has upped sticks.

The BioWare that’s making Anthem is an EA studio, and bears no meaningful relationship with the people who made the classics bearing the label.

That doesn’t mean Anthem can’t be worthwhile of course, but I don’t even really consider it a BioWare game in the ways that matter.

Although it's definitely not the popular opinion, I feel like the original Dragon Age and Mass Effect titles were BioWare's peak... They still had creative independence and released some great games. ME2 was fine, but the heavy push toward more of an action shooter under EA's guiding hand was a clear indication of things to come... Less and less focus on writing, more and more focus on, well, focus testing.

[Sinclair Gregstrum]

For me it’s not about writing off BioWare after ME:A, it’s that there seems to have been a distinct downward trajectory, starting with DAII, ME3, DA:I and continuing through as most of the studio’s key creative talent has upped sticks.

The BioWare that’s making Anthem is an EA studio, and bears no meaningful relationship with the people who made the classics bearing the label.

That doesn’t mean Anthem can’t be worthwhile of course, but I don’t even really consider it a BioWare game in the ways that matter.

Although the likes of Casey Hudson are there running the studio and he directed the ME trilogy and KOTOR, also kicking off development of Anthem way back in 2012.

And the games in that apparent downward turn have Metacritic scores 93 (ME3) 89 (DA:I), 82 (DAII). Now Metacritic isn't a flawless yardstick but as a snapshot of critical reception those games were pretty well liked and I'm sure a lot devs would like a 'downturn' like that!

Just feels like they're being treated with a bit more disregard than they deserve...

PS. I'm not a Bioware fanboy by the way - never touched a Dragon Age game and only got round to ME3 in 2017!

[KSubzero1000]

This game might very well be the perfect example of what I'm not looking for nowadays.

I don't have the patience / skill / motivation for online multiplayer any more.
The "Action-RPG" genre label has been a bad omen for me in recent years.
The only BioWare game that I've genuinely enjoyed is Jade Empire, which I never finished.
"Contiguous open world"... bleh.
"EA live service"...pass.
I feel like production values have plateau'd and even the most impressive graphics aren't enough to hold my interest for very long.

I do hope it fulfills the expectations of those within its target audience, however.

[JaySevenZero]

I played the demo last night and whilst I'm fully aware that it may not necessarily represent the finished game it bored the hell out of me after just 40 mins.

Destinty-esque in so many ways but without the "feel" of the combat which for me was the single most redeeming aspect about Bungie's effort.

Pretty visuals for sure but these days that kind of a given so nothing to write home about.

Gonna hit it again tonight with friends and voice chat (last night was with randoms and no comms) and see if that improves the experience but it's doubtful I'm ever gonna be swayed to pick this up - even when it's sub-20 quid in CEX

[Flabyo]

The most telling thing here for me is that EA are trying to get out a destiny equivalent (most likely to placate shareholders that seem to want ea to match everything their competitors do) at the exact point that Activision have backed away from the entire concept.

[Sinclair Gregstrum]

Blimey.....so it really is just me then

[dezm0nd]

Welcome to the lonely hearts club. These kind of games hit or miss for people.

It felt like i was the only one into sea of thieves and despite it being a Rare game, people said it didnt feel like one.

[Magical_Isopod]

Welcome to the lonely hearts club. These kind of games hit or miss for people.

It felt like i was the only one into sea of thieves and despite it being a Rare game, people said it didnt feel like one.

Sea of Thieves launched pretty bare bones, but within like 4-6 months, it was a substantially better experience. I'm willing to bet that a lot of the people who "hate" Sea of Thieves are referring to the sorry state it was during the launch window. It's definitely not my kind of thing, but for folks who like to party up with friends and go on adventures, it seems like a hecking good time!

[Sinclair Gregstrum]

Welcome to the lonely hearts club. These kind of games hit or miss for people.

It felt like i was the only one into sea of thieves and despite it being a Rare game, people said it didnt feel like one.

Sea of Thieves launched pretty bare bones, but within like 4-6 months, it was a substantially better experience. I'm willing to bet that a lot of the people who "hate" Sea of Thieves are referring to the sorry state it was during the launch window. It's definitely not my kind of thing, but for folks who like to party up with friends and go on adventures, it seems like a hecking good time!

(Sheepishly holds hand up) I quite enjoyed Sea of Thieves at launch....

It seems I am unintentionally being quite the contrarian