Despite renewed interest in a revival of BioWare’s Anthem, the game might find better odds for a potential reboot if adopted by one of the studio’s more well-known and well-established IPs. Since the days of Dragon Age: Inquisition and its original Mass Effect trilogy, BioWare’s recent track record has arguably been hit-and-miss between the likes of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but none more so than its short-lived MMORPG, Anthem. However, while the game may have failed to meet expectations when it first launched, some players and even former producers are interested in rebooting Anthem.
But given that its reputation and notoriety still live on years after its release, it may be too soon for an attempted reboot of Anthem as its own IP. Yet Anthem‘s best features, such as its gameplay and world-building, are still potentially worth salvaging, which could prompt BioWare to look for alternative options if it decides to revisit the game and attempt a reboot. Therefore, in line with Anthem‘s overall design, gameplay, and setting, BioWare could take the MMORPG’s better parts and adapt them to fit its stronger, more popular Mass Effect IP to give Anthem a deserved second chance to succeed.
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An Anthem Reboot May Be Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
There’s been some buzz about rebooting Bioware’s Anthem, but a number of issues surrounding the game make any renaissance a tough ask.
Now Might Be The Perfect Time For Anthem’s Reboot
With the conclusion of Mass Effect‘s original trilogy and its Dragon Age series going strong following DA: Inquisition earning the Game of the Year award in 2014, it arguably wasn’t surprising that BioWare would begin creating new IPs as it moved forward. However, despite its best intentions with Anthem, BioWare’s sudden departure from single-player experiences to the MMO genre didn’t see the same success as its other games, with criticism ranging from a repetitive gameplay loop to a weak storyline and endgame. Even after BioWare attempted to rework the game and release post-launch content, development on Anthem ceased in early 2021.
However, likely prompted by EA’s comments on DA: The Veilguard‘s mixed sales that it would have performed better with live-service gameplay, attention has turned to Anthem as BioWare’s original attempt at such a game. Though it may have been flawed at its initial launch, players looking back on Anthem have begun to recognize the game’s potential with social media posts like the one below highlighting its flight and combat gameplay. Despite this, with Anthem‘s persisting damaged reputation and EA favoring established IPs like Dragon Age in a bid for an MMO from BioWare, a direct reboot of the game itself might not be possible.
Mass Effect Adopting Anthem Could Be The Best Compromise
While it’s possible that Anthem deserves a second chance to redeem itself, it might be better for players, developers, and publishers if BioWare reworked its approach to Anthem and adapted its gameplay and story to fit within the Mass Effect franchise. Given that the two IPs already share similarities in terms of design and gameplay, this potential Anthem reboot would only require changes to its characters, story, and setting. In doing so, Anthem could still retain the positives of its core gameplay while being supported by Mass Effect‘s established canon, such as with the examples below:
- Freelancers could be replaced by Spectres.
- Fort Tarsis could be replaced by the Citadel.
- Anthem‘s factions could be replaced by Mass Effect‘s alien races and factions.
- Scars could be replaced by the Reaper forces.
Mass Effect Could Be Both Anthem’s and BioWare’s Best Way Forward
However, despite assurances that Mass Effect 4 is still going ahead, BioWare’s recent layoffs hint at an uncertain future that hinges on the successful continuation of its Mass Effect IP. Given that this could put Mass Effect 4 under pressure to exceed all expectations, it might be wise to repurpose Anthem‘s reboot within the Mass Effect series to help share the burden of success. With its flight and combat gameplay already proving popular among players, BioWare could benefit from rebooting Anthem alongside Mass Effect 4 to strengthen the Mass Effect IP through single-player and MMO games to ensure the studio’s future.
- Released
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February 22, 2019
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Language, Mild Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts