ANTHEM#9 Review – Stylish Combos, Limited Encore

ANTHEM#9 on PC

A Combat System That Rewards Intent

At first glance, ANTHEM#9 from developer koeda and publisher Shueisha Games appears to sit comfortably within familiar roguelite territory. Procedurally structured runs, escalating encounters, incremental upgrades. Yet within minutes, it becomes clear that its beating heart is something far more deliberate. This is not a game about frantic button presses or passive synergies; it is about intent.

Combat unfolds through a gem-matching grid that functions as both a resource engine and a tactical puzzle. Every match feeds into skill triggers, defensive options, or offensive bursts. What elevates the system beyond novelty is how tightly integrated everything feels. Matches are not simply about clearing tiles. They are about preparing the next chain, preserving momentum, and shaping the flow of battle several turns ahead.

The pacing is crucial. There is a constant tension between greed and survival. Do you extend a chain for a larger payoff, or cash in early to mitigate incoming damage? Do you pursue elemental alignment for synergy bonuses, or diversify to avoid being caught without options? The answers change depending on the build you are constructing, and that adaptability gives ANTHEM#9 its most compelling edge.

Enemy design reinforces this structure. Foes telegraph patterns clearly enough to reward planning, yet unpredictably enough to punish complacency. Boss encounters, in particular, demand mastery of the gem board rather than brute force optimisation. Success feels earned through clarity of thought rather than raw numerical advantage.

Moment to moment, the game hums. Each turn carries weight. Each chain feels meaningful. For a genre that can sometimes lean on automation and statistical escalation, ANTHEM#9 insists that the player remain mentally engaged. It is a refreshing approach that makes even early runs feel purposeful.

Yet even in these strongest moments, one senses the boundary of its ambition. The mechanics are sharp, but they are also tightly defined. There is brilliance within the system, but less elasticity than one might hope.

When the Build Sings

Where ANTHEM#9 truly shines is in those runs where everything aligns. A well-curved loadout, complementary skill effects, and a rhythm on the board that feels almost musical. When this happens, the game transforms.

Synergy building becomes an act of composition. Selecting upgrades is not merely about increasing damage numbers. It is about shaping a playstyle. One build might lean heavily into cascading chains that reward patience. Another may prioritise burst damage that detonates the board in controlled explosions. The flexibility here is genuine, and when a run clicks, it feels deeply satisfying.

Presentation supports this sensation beautifully. The audiovisual design enhances the sense of tempo without overwhelming the senses. Effects are clean, readable, and impactful. Combat flows with clarity rather than chaos. The interface communicates information efficiently, ensuring that the player’s attention remains on decision-making rather than deciphering clutter.

There is also a palpable sense of identity. ANTHEM#9 does not feel like a derivative roguelite grafting puzzle mechanics onto a conventional chassis. Its systems are interwoven with care. The gem board is not an add-on. It is the language through which the entire game speaks.

However, this strength exposes a subtle weakness. Because the core system is so defined, the range of transformative possibilities is narrower than genre leaders. While there are distinct builds, they often orbit similar rhythms. The difference between a strong run and a spectacular one is frequently a matter of efficiency rather than radical change. The result is that while individual runs can feel exhilarating, the broader arc begins to show repetition sooner than expected. The spark remains, but the crescendo is familiar.

The Gaps Between High Points

Roguelites live and die on what surrounds their combat loops. Narrative framing, environmental variety, and progression incentives. These are the elements that encourage players to return long after the mechanics are understood.

In ANTHEM#9, these connective tissues are competent but understated. The world provides enough context to situate the action, yet rarely pushes beyond suggestion. Characters and story beats exist, but they seldom evolve into something that meaningfully deepens investment. As a result, motivation leans heavily on mechanical mastery rather than narrative curiosity.

Environmental diversity follows a similar trajectory. While enemy configurations and encounter pacing vary, the structural cadence of runs remains largely consistent. Rooms, rewards, and progression beats settle into a predictable rhythm. For some players, this consistency may feel comfortable. For others, it may dampen the desire for extended sessions.

Meta progression offers incremental improvements, but rarely dramatic shifts. Unlocks enhance efficiency rather than fundamentally altering the experience. This reinforces the earlier observation that ANTHEM#9 is more about refinement than reinvention.

None of these elements is an outright failure. They function. They support the combat. Yet they do not elevate it. The game’s highest highs are concentrated within the board itself. Outside of that arena, the design becomes more restrained. ANTHEM#9 is consistently good, frequently clever, and occasionally brilliant. But it stops short of the layered depth that defines the genre’s most enduring entries.

A Roguelite That Shows Its Potential

There is a clear confidence in the game’s design. It understands its central mechanic and executes it with discipline. For players who value tactical clarity and thoughtful decision-making, it offers hours of satisfying play.

It is particularly well-suited to shorter sessions. Runs are engaging without demanding excessive commitment. The mental engagement required by the gem system makes even brief play windows feel productive. In a crowded roguelite landscape, that efficiency is valuable.

However, longevity remains the lingering question. Once players internalise the optimal rhythms and preferred synergies, the incentive to experiment diminishes in ANTHEM#9. The game invites mastery, but not necessarily reinvention. Its foundation is strong enough to support future expansion or iteration, and one cannot help but imagine how additional variety might elevate it further.

As it stands, ANTHEM#9 earns its place as a smart, stylish addition to the roguelite space. It rewards focus, celebrates synergy, and respects the player’s intelligence. It simply does not sustain escalation across the long haul. For many, that will be enough. For others seeking transformative depth, it may feel like a tantalising glimpse of something greater.

ANTHEM#9 is available now on PC via Steam.