Got Anthem Withdrawal? 5 Live-Service Games to Fill the Void

TL;DR

• Anthem’s online servers go dark on January 12, 2026.
• If you loved flying Javelins and loot loops, start with Destiny 2 or Warframe.
• Check out Helldivers 2, Outriders, and The First Descendant for co-op mayhem.
• Use the migration checklist below to spend currency, join “Anthem refugee” hubs, and pick new clans.

Why Anthem’s shutdown actually matters

EA will pull the plug on Anthem’s servers on January 12, 2026, ending access to this online-only looter-shooter that promised soaring co-op combat and deep Javelin (exosuit) customization. Anthem was one of the most ambitious AAA live-service experiments, blending narrative set-pieces with loot-driven progression. Its failure shines a light on the real challenges of sustaining a massive multiplayer world: leadership churn, missed content roadmaps, and the fallout for players left with unused currency and locked content.

What actually went wrong

Although EA announced the closure five months in advance, the underlying issues date back years. Former producer Mark Darrah pointed to rapid leadership turnover and a scuttled mid-development reboot that never gained momentum. For players, the most painful moment arrives in the final week—warned on January 5—that you must spend every coin or lose it. That “use-it-or-lose-it” message stings anyone who’s invested time and real money into seasonal events and premium items.

5 live-service alternatives for Anthem players

Anthem fans mainly crave three things: flight or high-mobility combat, gear-driven progression (aka “loot loops”), and chaotic team events. Here are five games—grouped by what they nail best—to help you fill that Javelin-shaped hole in your heart.

Aerial Combat & Exosuit Vibes

• Destiny 2 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox): Bungie’s space-magic shooter delivers refined gunplay, aerial skating (especially on Hunter with Grapple Hook), and massive public events like Override. Free-to-play base game, with seasonal expansions available on Game Pass and Steam.
• Warframe (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch): Infinite exosuit tinkering meets parkour-in-space. Warframes (character classes) each have jump jets, bullet jumps, and wall-runs that replicate Anthem’s verticality. Always free-to-play, with cross-play coming soon.

Loot-Driven Progression

• Outriders (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox): More brutal and punchy, Outriders swaps Javelin jets for superpowers. Its streamlined endgame loop offers quick, rewarding missions and boss fights with satisfying loot drops.
• The First Descendant (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox): A new free-to-play looter-shooter built around grappling mobility and fast seasons. Its weapon and skill trees echo Anthem’s toolbox-style combat for a fresh but familiar thrill.

Chaotic Co-op Mayhem

• Helldivers 2 (PC, PS5): Not a drop-jet sim, but its frantic cooperative missions, stratagems, and friendly fire jokes deliver emergent chaos that Anthem vets will appreciate.

Quick migration checklist

• Spend any remaining Anthem coins by January 12, 2026—there’s no rollback after shutdown.
• Join “Anthem refugee” Discord servers or Bungie.net clans; many groups tag builds like “Javelin flyer” for Destiny 2.
• Bookmark cross-play lobbies—Warframe’s upcoming full cross-play keeps squads together across platforms.
• Share your favorite loadouts; a lot of Outriders and The First Descendant communities post builds under #AnthemRefugee.

What Anthem’s end signals for live-service games

Anthem’s shutdown is more than one game dying—it’s a warning. Live-service titles demand stable leadership, realistic scope, and respect for player investments. BioWare’s pivot back to single-player with Mass Effect 5 (and a leaner team) shows studios may shy away from ambitious multiplayer, at least until they nail the service model. For players and devs alike, Anthem underscores that grand promises must be met with equally robust delivery plans.

Conclusion

Anthem’s sunsetting on January 12, 2026, closes a chapter on big-budget live service—but opens another for players seeking that mix of flight, loot, and teamwork. Start with Destiny 2 or Warframe to scratch the exosuit itch, then branch out to Outriders, The First Descendant, or the chaotic drops of Helldivers 2. And remember: in the live-service world, always spend your virtual coins before the final countdown ends.