ANTHEM#9

For players willing to embrace its sharp edges, ANTHEM#9 stands as a bold, stylish experiment that earns its place in the crowded roguelite landscape. Blending gem matching, deckbuilding, with aesthetics that recall the Persona series, it’s just a few tip screens shy of getting a full recommendation.

Anthem#9 is a stylish, compact roguelite that somehow works by doing less, but doing it well. No doubt it comes with a bold visual identity and an imaginative gem-chaining combat system. The lack of permanent updates might not be one for people who have become accustomed to the modern roguelite design, but this does mean the game is solely focused on offering a game that is purely about the player’s skill. Although the game’s tutorials and explanations can feel underdeveloped, the satisfaction of mastering its mechanics outweighs the early learning curve. In the end, what I found is that Anthem#9 delivers a surprising amount of depth wrapped in a striking, but simplistic presentation.

I really wanted to give ANTHEM#9 a higher score. But even though I enjoyed the game, I feel that the lack of progressive upgrades, as well as the occasionally barebones storytelling, finicky interface, and incredible difficulty, made a higher score impossible. That said, if you’re eager for something utterly unique and want to support a new game developer, I’d definitely give it a shot.

Who knew that arranging gems and collecting cards could be so cool! Anthem#9 is a stylish hybrid of puzzle mechanics and deckbuilding that manages to stand out in an oversaturated market. Combat is highly tactical and fast paced, and it’s super satisfying when abilities are chained together to cancel enemy attacks and trigger long combo streaks. It suffers a tiny bit in terms of balance and a lot more in replay value, yet its slick presentation and rewarding gameplay make it a fun, challenging experience overall.