Anthem: 2019’s biggest letdown since the Large Hadron Collider was activated and failed to create a black hole which would have finally destroyed 4Chan. And the rest of the planet, but you win some you lose some. Anyway, the thing about Anthem is that when the game does work, it works chuffing well. While its core action and Freelancer variants aren’t nearly substantial enough to carry an entire game on their own, they’re still some of the most fun you can have in a video game today if you can ignore the myriad other problems plaguing the Bioware game.
One of those massive issues is the lack of content within Anthem’s uninteresting world, a problem that was highlighted mere days after the game originally launched. The world was supposed to be fleshed out with a ton of weekly activities soon after launch, but all of that was shoved aside in favour of fortifying Anthem’s foundation instead.
Months after launch, something is finally happening inside of Anthem as part of a pre-Cataclysm event. New challenges are now up, but the only thing that’s actually noteworthy right now is how they’ll make a homoeopath shriek in terror as the majority of them involve killing crystallised enemies, collecting their quartz remains and completing other crystal-themed events.
I think Square-Enix is going to sue. Once the event is up, the first Anthem Cataclysm event will begin, bringing with it a massive storm where players can unlock a ton of new gear. Is it too late to save Anthem though? In its current form, the game still feels like a terrific shooter in a half-arsed world that’s about as interesting as a debate on why Bovril is better than Marmite.
For those of you who are planning to return, here’s a quick overview of the upcoming Cataclysm via the Anthem subreddit:
Loot
- 9 new masterwork/Legendary guns (3 Base, 9 variations)
- 8 new Masterwork/Legendary variations of existing gear
- 8 new melee gear variations + Masterwork/Legendary versions (2 for each class)
- 8 Masterwork/Legendary variations of support gear
Gameplay
- Cataclysm
- Cataclysm Inversions (Changes to gameplay in cataclysm. IE: Abilities on faster Cooldowns)
- 1 new cataclysm freeplay event
- New story missions
- GM2/GM3 Balance Changes
Cataclysm Event
- 2 weeks pre-event, 6 weeks of cataclysm event
- Cataclysm will start after pre-event then get more objectives over the six weeks
- Inversions for cataclysm change weekly
- Gain new currency to unlock warchests
- Warchests contain a masterwork loot with a chance of a legendary version of new gear.
- Limited time cosmetic rewards
Other Changes
- Luck removed & loot drop rate increased
- Melee removed from gear score scaling. Melee damage connected to melee gear
Any new content within Anthem is exciting, but it’ll only be for the tens of players left within Bioware’s failed gambit.
Last Updated: July 22, 2019
Llama In The Rift
July 22, 2019 at 14:02
Somebody call me when this has proper single player…
Which will be never i guess…oh well…not like i’m missing anything.
Pariah
July 22, 2019 at 14:02
To be fair, the tragedy here is that there’s a lot of things to like about the game, just no reason to actually play it and enjoy those things.
Llama In The Rift
July 22, 2019 at 14:46
So much like Marmite/Bovril?
There are allot off things to like just no reason to eat and enjoy it?
Pariah
July 22, 2019 at 14:57
Nope. Marmite/Bovril is more like fresh shit. But worse because it masquerades as food.
Llama In The Rift
July 22, 2019 at 15:15
I have that feeling about sandwich spread
Yahtzee
July 22, 2019 at 15:15
That stuff is the bestest when you come straight out of the ocean and eat it.
Llama In The Rift
July 22, 2019 at 15:25
LOLZ….feesh foods!!
Viper_ZA
July 22, 2019 at 14:13
Started Fallout 76 on PC yesterday, so far, so good 😛
Kromas
July 23, 2019 at 07:27
Welcome to my world. Don’t listen to people telling you that it is bad despite never playing it.
Viper_ZA
July 22, 2019 at 14:21
As per ol’ wiki: “Bovril can be made into a drink by diluting with hot water or, less commonly, with milk. It can be used as a flavouring for soups, broth, stews or porridge, or as a spread, especially on toast in a similar fashion to Marmite and Vegemite.”
YUMMMM MILK hahahahaha
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 22, 2019 at 14:22
Bovril and milk, magnificent. I have to try this today
Yahtzee
July 22, 2019 at 14:38
If it’s anything like Coke and Milk, I am down to try this out.
HvR
July 22, 2019 at 17:45
Here is another tidbit.
Oxo, Bovril’s cheap rip-off and nasty cousin was the first Olympic Games sponsor specifically for the marathon.
So as the runners were chugging along they were served a nice hot cup of Oxo along the route.
Expecting water but getting some diluted Oxo is I imagine is the one thing that is more of a disappointment than starting the next installment of your favourite game series after EA bought it.
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 22, 2019 at 14:30
Out of ALL these comments, I’m looking forward the most to having some Bovril with hot water and milk
Pariah
July 22, 2019 at 14:30
Weskoppies called. They want their Bovril back.
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 22, 2019 at 14:30
They can try, but they must neva
The D
July 22, 2019 at 16:33
I just want to say, I’m proud of everyone who agrees on and KNOWS that Bovril is the best.
Original Heretic
July 22, 2019 at 13:50
I get that they’re trying to save the game, but with all the negativity already surrounding it, might have been better to just do Anthem 2 now.
Pariah
July 22, 2019 at 14:02
Yeah. They should just sell BioWare already since it’s not profitable. And let them make BioWare games again.
Though I can’t help but feel like this is deja vu to the Maxis, but with all the Bullfrog that comes from EA’s mouth I Westwood rather just look elsewhere for my gaming entertainment.