ANTHEM#9

ANTHEM#9’s combat innovates in some interesting ways, taking some cues from match-3 and some from turn-based role-playing battles to create something new, fast, and mostly fun. I like how the two decks, their skills, the blessings, and unique character traits interact to allow players to deal huge amounts of damage and cancel out incoming attacks, if everything goes right. The world-building is limited, and there’s not much in the way of story to uncover as players push through the mission. And the presentation seems to be directly aimed at bringing in gamers who like the Persona franchise. Players who pick ANTHEM#9 looking for good tactical puzzles and strong core mechanics, will not be disappointed.

ANTHEM#9 delivers a tight, addictive puzzle-strategy loop that constantly rewards the player. The minimal storytelling holds it back slightly, but the smart mechanics more than compensate. An impressive solo project and a strong recommendation for fans of deckbuilders and tactical puzzlers.

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.

Flashy visuals meet slick, high-energy combat. If you don't overhype it, ANTHEM#9 is more than enough to leave a lasting impression.

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.