Incoming ANTHEM Demo Is Indicative of Finished Gameplay, But Has Some Key Differences

BioWare's tempering expectations

by Robert Ramsey Tue 22nd Jan 2019

Those of you who have pre-ordered ANTHEM will probably already know that you're getting an exclusive demo at the end of the week. Set to launch on the 25th January (1st February for everyone else), BioWare has previously said that the demo will be representative of the final game in terms of general gameplay, but there'll be some key differences elsewhere.

For a start, you won't be able to create a custom character, and you'll be plopped "in the middle" of the campaign. There are also no tutorials, and the balance of the game is "super different". Executive producer Mark Darrah states that the "economy is completely different" as well. Darrah later explained that the demo's "easier in general".

Obviously we don't expect a demo to be fully indicative of a final product, but it does seem like BioWare wants to keep expectations in check. Here's hoping that it turns out to be an enjoyable early look at ANTHEM.

[source twitter.com]

Robert (or Rob if you're lazy) has been a fan of PlayStation since the 90s, when Tekken 2 introduced him to the incredible world of video games. He still takes his fighting games seriously, but RPGs are his true passion. The Witcher, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, he's played 'em all — a little too much, some might say.

1
FullbringIchigo
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

going to try it out but i'm not holing my breath, this is EA after all

2
nessisonett
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

I can really see this being the end for Bioware. Hopefully they do an IO or Bungie and break free from EA before they're shut down for good.

3
FullbringIchigo
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

@nessisonett if EA do what they normally do they will bleed them dry and then destroy whats left

4
OmegaStriver
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

I check many sites and I was shocked to see a great article covering Anthem on Polygon. It was a collection of 50 or so questions and answers from Twitter. It was the best bit of info I’ve seen on this game. I was very pleased with every answer that was given. When playing with friends, enemies level to you, etc.

5
Kai_
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

'Obviously we don't expect a demo to be fully indicative of a final product'... Why not? Isn't that exactly what a demo should be?

6
SKC_Diamond
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

@Bliquid it's free to everyone February 1st

7
OmegaStriver
Tue 22nd Jan 2019

@Shepherd_Tallon There is only one reason that I’m slightly excited for this game and it’s to co-op it with my kids. We have two systems. I consider Destiny a hollow experience and the Division had bullet sponges I couldn’t stomach and also didn’t level enemies to individual players. So, they weren’t great experiences for us. I’m hoping Anthem is the best of the three, but many games from these last seven years seemed great before I got my hands on them.

8
ShogunRok
Wed 23rd Jan 2019

@3MonthBeef @Kai_ When are demos ever fully indicative of the finished game? They're always either a slightly older build, a honed vertical slice that's not totally representative of the product as a whole, or they're tiny part of something much bigger.

Yes, demos should play like the finished game — and the ANTHEM demo apparently does — but that doesn't mean it's fully indicative of the final experience.