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Bioware has a brand-new IP named Anthem, and it looks to be a cross between Mass Effect’s epic space opera and Destiny’s sci-fi co-op play.
The game was first teased yesterday during EA’s Play event in Los Angeles, but it was Microsoft who presented the game in full, closing out its E3 2017 press conference with a full gameplay demo.
No doubt a future showcase for the Xbox One X (previously known as Project Scorpio), Anthem will arrive in early 2018 with added 4K and HDR support for Microsoft’s new console.
The game will feature a huge and ever-changing open world, according to EA, and will be filled with hundreds of characters and stories that will keep players entertained "for years to come." One of the key features of the game is each player’s Javelin, a highly customisable humanoid exo suit that grants superhuman powers.
As well as fighitng on the ground and underwater, players will be able to fly around this massive world using the Javelin’s seemingly unlimited jetpack (a lack of discernible UI in the demo made it difficult to see just what kind of elements were at play here).
The demo began with two friends playing in co-op, but when a storm broke out, two more joined instanteously, suggesting the game will be able to support at least four players in co-op mode, if not more. Different classes of Javelin will be available, allowing players to customise their approach and form well-rounded teams.
After the disappointing Mass Effect Andromeda, Bioware looks to have turned things around with Anthem, and we can’t wait to see more of it. While it’s too early to say how similar it will be to Destiny 2 yet, it will be interesting to see how the title evolves as we get closer to launch. Expect more details at this year’s Gamescom.
