发布时间: 1/8/2026
The writing was on the wall for *Anthem* for a long time, and now the final chapter is about to close. When BioWare first unleashed this title back in 2019, it was pitched as a revolutionary hybrid: a game that would marry the studio's legendary RPG storytelling with the high-octane, loot-driven action popularized by *Destiny*. Unfortunately, the reality was a clash of concepts that never quite found harmony. The game plummeted to the lowest Metacritic score in BioWare's esteemed history. Yet, beneath the controversy, a small but fiercely dedicated cult following remained, captivated by the sheer joy of the Javelin flight mechanics and combat. Now, those same fans are preparing their digital mourning rituals as the end draws near.
The Final Countdown for Freelancers
Unlike many classic RPGs, *Anthem* is strictly an always-online experience. Even if you only ever wanted to play solo, you needed that server connection. This means that when the plug is pulled on January 12, the world of Bastion will effectively cease to exist. With the deadline less than a week away, players are scrambling to log in for one last adventure. The game’s subreddit has transformed from a discussion hub into a memorial site, filled with touching farewells and memories.
Community Tributes and Regrets
One particularly moving post by user RobRagiel is titled "One last flight around Bastion." It features a video clip showcasing the game's most praised feature—its flight system—accompanied by the caption, "I enjoyed it till the end and I have a lot of good memories. It was an honor, Freelancers." While there is no official way to purchase the game digitally anymore, physical copies are flooding the used market, and PC keys are floating around resale sites. One user, EngineerFrosty6633, shared that they picked up a key for five dollars—the price of a fancy coffee—marking a bittersweet contrast to the premium price tag early adopters paid in 2019.
Of course, the mood isn't entirely somber; there is still frustration. Some fans believe *Anthem* deserved the kind of redemption arc seen with *No Man's Sky*, while others are hopelessly petitioning EA for an offline patch. For those who follow daily Game News, the lack of publisher support for such a request is, sadly, to be expected.
A Flawed Experiment
Looking back at the metrics, the PS4 version of *Anthem* holds a Metacritic score of 54—the absolute bottom of the barrel for a BioWare release. Interestingly, the PC and Xbox One versions hold the second and third worst spots, cementing its troubled legacy. Even the most die-hard fans won't argue that the game was perfect. However, they found solace in specific elements, particularly the robust and satisfying flight mechanics that allowed players to soar through the alien landscape.
My own experience at launch was far from ideal. I remember it as a chaotic mess, where combat felt like a jumble of particle effects against indistinct enemies. The flight system, while visually stunning, often detached me from the tactical reality of the battlefield. Coupled with well-documented issues regarding pacing and narrative structure, it was a hard game to love.
The Loss of a Digital World
Despite its many flaws, watching *Anthem* disappear completely is a melancholy event for the industry. It serves as a high-profile case study of what goes wrong when a studio known for single-player excellence is forced into the live-service mold. As memories of the actual gameplay fade, the stories of its "development hell" will likely dominate the history books.
This shutdown also highlights the critical importance of preservation efforts like "Stop Killing Games." *Anthem* sold roughly 5 million copies, and soon, every single person who purchased it will lose access to what they bought. While no one expects a publisher like EA to keep servers running forever, there is a profound sadness in seeing years of artistic effort vanish like a sandcastle washed away by the tide.