Highlights
- Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone significant updates and DLC that have greatly improved the game and fixed its initial issues.
- Anthem, on the other hand, was unable to redeem itself and all future development has been canceled.
- The updates to Cyberpunk 2077 show that there was potential for Anthem to be fixed and improved, but this is unlikely to ever happen even outside of BioWare.
Back in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most anticipated games of the year. However, instead of being the RPG that would change the world, Cyberpunk 2077 ended up being a massive disappointment at launch. It was filled to the brim with bugs, was lacking in many areas, and was even unplayable on certain hardware. While CD Projekt Red could have just moved on after that, it took the time to fix the game. And three years later, players everywhere seem to be flocking to it once again.
Over the last couple of weeks, Cyberpunk 2077 saw two massive updates that have helped bring it closer to the game that was promised. Not only did the 2.0 update completely overhaul much of the game, but the Phantom Liberty DLC has also added to the title considerably. Finally, players can experience this fantastic title with little to no issues, which is great to see. It is so good that it is a shame that many games do not get a similar redemption, especially when their foundations are as strong as Anthem's were.
Anthem Next Could Have Been on Par With Phantom Liberty
It is no secret that Anthem was incredibly disappointing when it launched back in 2019. It was supposed to be this massive new online multiplayer game from the creators of the critically acclaimed Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. The graphics were beautiful, the concept sounded fascinating, and the gameplay was not half bad. However, everything about the game left much to be desired.
Upon release, players quickly realized that Anthem was lacking in many areas. Its core gameplay loop was boring, its story was bland, it was filled with technical issues, and it was built around an insane grind. While the flight and combat systems were fun, almost everything else about the game was not. Because of this, it instantly fell flat with audiences and ended up being a commercial disappointment for the studio.
BioWare may have announced that it was going to completely reinvent the game, but those plans will never see the light of day. As of February 2021, all future development of Anthem has been canceled as the studio moves onto other projects. Players who were excited to see what Anthem NEXT could be will never get that opportunity, which is a shame. Even though much of the game was boring, there was still a ton of potential for a fun game within.
While Cyberpunk 2077 and Anthem may be quite different games, it seems like they went through similar troubles at release. Both were marred with technical problems and their core gameplay was not very fun. However, unlike Anthem, Cyberpunk 2077 got the opportunity to reinvent itself. The 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty have helped make the game a much stronger experience, and they have not only expanded the story immensely but have also fixed most of the game's biggest issues. This has led to a massive redemption for the title along with a resurgence in its playerbase, which is something Anthem will never get to experience.
Anthem may have been left to gather dust, but Cyberpunk 2077's updates show that parts of what BioWare had planned may have been able to fix the game. While no one can say for certain as the studio never really shared many of its plans, there was still a chance it could have experienced a resurgence if it was given the chance. Maybe the concept will be able to live on someday, be it through another studio or an entirely different game, but fans may not want to hold their breaths.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
