Farewell to Anthem: Fans Reflect as Shutdown Looms

Anthem’s shutdown felt like it was written in the stars. Debuting from BioWare in 2019, the game attempted to merge the studio’s signature RPG storytelling with loot-focused gameplay reminiscent of Destiny, but ultimately, it struggled to find its footing. This led to it earning the lowest Metacritic score in BioWare’s history, leaving a dedicated group of fans to cling to the promise of exhilarating combat and fluid flight mechanics. Now, these fans are gearing up for their final farewells as the game’s inevitable closure approaches.

While it’s still possible to dive into Anthem solo, the game requires a constant internet connection. So once the servers go dark on January 12, players will find themselves unable to jump back in. With just days left until the end, the game’s subreddit has turned into a digital mourning ground, with players sharing their goodbyes. A heartfelt post titled “One last flight around Bastion” from user RobRagiel reminds fans of the joy the game once brought, saying, “I enjoyed it till the end and I have a lot of good memories. It was an honor, Freelancers.” The nostalgia is palpable, highlighted by a short clip showcasing the game’s most impressive feature—the soaring flight mechanics.

Currently, there’s no official way to purchase Anthem on any platform, but there’s still a market for used console copies and PC keys on grey market sites. One player, EngineerFrosty6633, humorously shared their recent buy for around five bucks— a stark reminder for those who remember when they pre-ordered the game back in 2019. Another user vented frustrations over the shutdown, saying they feel Anthem deserves the “No Man’s Sky treatment,” hoping for some revival.

The PS4 version of Anthem launched to a Metacritic score of 54, marking it as a low point for BioWare. Even the staunchest supporters of the game wouldn’t claim it was perfect, but they still cherished elements like the combat system and the liberating flight mechanics. Personally, my own experience with Anthem at launch was rather lackluster. I remember the combat feeling like chaotic noise, where visibility was muddled amid blasts from indistinct foes. The touted flight mechanics often left players feeling disconnected from the action, making battles harder to engage with. It’s no surprise that issues around its pacing, structure, and narrative have been often discussed.

Despite my criticisms, it’s hard to feel good about its final demise. Anthem holds a significant place in modern gaming history—it serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when a beloved studio attempts to fit its vision into the live-service mold. This game marked a critical moment for BioWare’s reputation, and the tales of its tumultuous development struggle will lose context as time goes on.

Anthem is also a vivid example of the issues consumer rights advocates, like Stop Killing Games, aim to address. Having sold around 5 million copies, nearly every player who invested in the game—regardless of their enjoyment level—will soon lose access. While it’s no revelation that a company like EA won’t support a multiplayer title indefinitely, the thought of saying goodbye to Anthem— a game that took years of labor to create—is undeniably melancholic. It feels like watching a castle made of sand being washed away by relentless waves. In time, all the notable online experiences may just become memories carried away by the wind.