Anthem gets a Demo in February, New Trailer all about “Personal Narrative”

BioWare has announced that a “VIP” Demo of Anthem will become available on February 1st on all platforms, that’s PC, PS4 and Xbox One. That’s exactly three weeks prior to the game’s launch on February 21st and should be a useful appetizer for anyone interested in what looks like to become EA’s long-term answer to the GaaS model of games. However, the demo will only be playable for users who pre-order Anthem or have subscriptions to EA Access or Origin Access Premier. Apart from the demo, there will also be tech and beta tests happening before Anthem’s release.

Besides the demo announcement, BioWare also shared a whole new gameplay for Anthem. In “Our World, My Story”, the developer is showing how they aim to implement a story-rich and deeply personalized experience in a heavily multiplayer-focused game. Check out the trailer!

The studio is aiming very high from what we can see in the new story trailer, even going as far as claiming to reinvent the personal narrative in a multiplayer game. If anyone can pull it off, it just might be BioWare, with their extensive experience in creating beloved narrative-focused RPGs over the years. The Mass Effect and Baldur’s Gate series prove that the talent is there but Anthem still marks a first in crafting a non-MMO multiplayer game with heavy narrative beats.

The video gives us first looks at the main hub of Anthem, Fort Tarsis. A dense trader town where players can explore and take on missions from agents. Through these missions relationships gets deepened and personal stories of these agents are revealed. You’ll have the choice which agents to engage and who to avoid. Fort Tarsis may be a safe place but shady people also made themselves at home here.

Familiar to fans of Mass Effect, Fort Tarsis is also the place where you’ll get to get acquainted with your pit crew. Throughout the game your bonds with them will grow, and they will share more about their pasts.

Of course, if you aren’t in the mood to take on story missions, in freeplay you can explore the world of Anthem at your own pace, either solo or with friends.