When BioWare’s Anthem first launched in 2019, it represented a bold new direction for the developer. Coming from a studio that was known for single-player story-driven franchises like Dragon Age and Mass Effect, Anthem‘s live-service model alone made it different from anything it had done before. Unfortunately, what followed was one of the rockiest, shallowest gaming experiences the industry had ever seen, despite how great it looked on the surface and strengths that were ultimately overshadowed by some glaring weaknesses. For many, Anthem became the cautionary tale of what happens when ambition is mismanaged.
But with its shutdown officially set for January 12, 2026, Anthem‘s story still isn’t quite over. In its final moments, the game offers players who never gave it a chance or walked away too early a unique opportunity to experience firsthand what might have been. With its premium purchases disabled, its flaws well-known, and no more false promises hanging overhead, perhaps Anthem can finally be appreciated for what it actually does best.
One of Anthem‘s greatest strengths has always been its flight system. There’s nothing quite like piloting a Javelin, as it is arguably one of the most exhilarating traversal mechanics of its time, allowing players to essentially become Iron Man for a moment as they soar over gorgeous alien landscapes. Anthem‘s combat also benefits from these mechanics, especially with how fluid they actually are, allowing players to pull off some cinematic, larger-than-life maneuvers during a fight with alien baddies. Even today, there are few games that offer the same kind of aerial combat and exploration.
Anthem‘s visuals deserve plenty of recognition as well. There’s no denying that its world is still gorgeous to behold, with an incredible amount of detail poured into its environments to make the world feel alive. Complementing those visuals is Anthem‘s Javelin customization system, too, which gave players more control over their appearance than most modern RPGs do today. Finally, the soundtrack (especially the theme song) is hard to forget, and some of its characters are even worth the lengthy conversations. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to either return to it or visit it for the first time, considering its permanent shutdown is just around the corner.
Knowing a game is about to vanish forever not only changes how it’s played but also how it’s viewed. Anthem may not have the depth or longevity of other live-service games, but its impending closure makes every minute spent in its world more meaningful. If nothing else, experiencing Anthem today, even in its solitude and quietness, is a chance for players to close the book on an ambitious but flawed chapter in BioWare’s history. It’s still a fun ride, even if it’s just to fly around the world and take in the view, and there’s also plenty of value in closure. For players who always wondered if they missed out on something, Anthem‘s last months offer them the chance to ensure they don’t.
Anthem will always be remembered as one of gaming’s most ambitious missteps, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored in its final moments. For those willing to embrace its weaknesses with open arms, Anthem still offers a gaming experience unlike anything else on the market today. At the very least, perhaps viewing it as a sci-fi robotic flying simulator is enough reason to suit up in a Javelin and soar into the skies. For now, there’s still a world out there to explore in Anthem, and the chance to experience a story that will soon be nothing but history.
February 22, 2019
T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Language, Mild Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence
Electronic Arts
Frostbite 3
