Anthem's latest update has taken away one of the only additions to the title's endgame content since its release, as the patch released today has removed Elysian Cashes from the game. Elysian Caches were only added just over a month ago, and were designed to reward players for completing Strongholds and keeping up with the game's daily challenges — essentially, Elysian Caches were one of the only endgame rewards available, and were incentives for players sticking with the game during its most troubled times.
The implementation of Elysian Caches were by no means perfect. Players were upset that the endgame chests lacked more relevant — and heavily requested — armor and weapons, but they at least created an ecosystem for the playerbase to take part in a post-story loot loop, however unsatisfying. While they mostly offered cosmetic content, offering anything at all was a boon for a game that has seen its player count tank as they begin to pronounce Anthem as a dead game.
Which is why it's so surprising that Anthem is removing one of the game's only content updates that was meaningfully impacting the game in a positive way, however small that addition might have been. In today's patch, 1.1.1, Elysian Caches were removed and a few smaller bug fixes were also implemented. BioWare didn't offer much of an explanation as to why they were being removed, either, with the developer stating that they "have always been planned as a temporary thing" before conceding that they may return at a later date.
That's cold comfort for a playerbase that has been desperate for any sort of content at all over the past few months, especially additions that actually worked as intended. Anthem's bugs are the stuff of legends at this point, and while Elysian Caches were underwhelming, they were at least functional. It's surprising to see BioWare straight up remove them rather than simply buff them to offer the kinds of rewards that might keep players interested in the endgame while the developer scrambles to fix its live service title.
For now, it's yet another example of the massive disconnect between what Anthem players want and what BioWare has been providing them over the last few months. The patience of Anthem's playerbase has been tested relentlessly, and Freelancers have remained loyal while desperately requesting buffs to loot and weapons. With none of that appearing any closer on the horizon, it's fair to wonder if, despite the studio's claims to the contrary, Anthem is being left behind in favor of a revamped effort on the developer's upcoming Dragon Age 4 game instead.
Here's the full change log for those interested:
- Fixed an error where Weapon and Components stat values were not displaying correctly.
- Fixed a problem where suit power level (rarity) was not correctly being calculated based on equipped items.
- Fixed an issue with Spanish audio in a conversation in the Sunken Cell stronghold.
- Fixed an issue with French audio in a conversation in the Sunken Cell stronghold.
- Fixed an issue causing a slight delay in Salvaging at End of Expedition.
- Partially defeated encounters will no longer re-dispense loot from previously defeated creatures.
- [PC Only] - Right clicking an item to salvage it at the end of expedition screen now requires the mouse button to be held.
Source: Darokaz