A word likely to appear frequently in generous reviews ofAnthemis “potential.”

Flaws aside,Anthemconsistently displays gleams of promise beneath the detritus of repetitive missions and nondescript enemies.

In a few months,Anthemwill probably be a much more streamlined and enjoyable experience.

Feb-games-2019

Credit: Electronic Arts; Ubisoft; Deep Silver; Electronic Arts; Chucklefish; Xbox Game Studios

Both technically and mechanically, the game is incredibly clean.

Since its surprise launch, there have been no notable bugs or glitches.

The classes and personalities of the Legends take a page out of Overwatch’s book to great success.

ANTHEM_LAUNCH_SCREENSHOT_05_FINAL_16x9

Electronic Arts

Now here’s the long answer.

So you’re already starting off with the handicaps of no binoculars and few weapon options.

Resource hoarding barons: check) and an uncomfortable frequency of damsel-in-distress missions.

APEX_Legends_Screenshot_LE_BloodhoundRaven_03_Clean

Electronic Arts

Some of that discomfort is no doubt by design.

as he then propels into a double jump.

That seems to be all it has going for it, which isn’t the worst thing.

Far Cry: New DawnCR: Ubisoft

Ubisoft

The latest in theCrackdownfranchise takes you to the epicenter of a mysterious blackout.

(Take back a subway station, dismantle enemy operations, face the boss, repeat.)

But some of this doesn’t translate to single player.

Metro Exodus

Deep Silver

ButCrackdown 3is gonna do whatCrackdown 3’s gonna do.

Visually, the game is also very much inspired by the days of the Game Boy Advance.

Xbox Game Studios

Xbox Game Studios

Wargroove

Chucklefish