Anthem: 8 Reasons Why It Failed

EA did not allow Bioware to make a Bioware game with Anthem. No memorable stories or characters (the developer's bread and butter) to be found, only generic personalities that largely distribute quests at you like you're a beggar that just wants substantial content.

The dialogue wheel has been removed in favor of a more binary system that's mostly just two contrasting options. With no relationship system to really speak of, you need to squint to see Bioware's identifying markers within Anthem.

It's frustrating too, as every so often you'll see the true Bioware, desperately trying to fight out of EA's constraints. You'll get into the occasional enjoyable character interaction that brings momentary bliss, only for it to end and you're kicked back into place.

The reality of Anthem? It's a game that feels too familiar in too many areas and never does enough with its story and characters to help raise the experience above that mountain of issues. There's no developer identity to give it any soul. Whereas many of Bioware's previous creations felt like heartfelt realizations of years' worth of work, Anthem feels like a corporate entity, through and through.