ANTHEM#9

About

ANTHEM#9 is a single player tactical turn-based strategy game. It was developed by koeda and was released on February 4, 2026. It received very positive reviews from players.

Match three colors of gems to form massive combos!Match gems to activate skills and destroy foes with a flurry of combos! Creating a deck that unleashes maximum damage and triggers high-speed combos within a limited time window is the key to victory. ANTHEM#9 delivers strategic depth and a kinetic rush as a Gem-Match roguelite experience that’s both cerebral and thrilling. Higher the combo, t…

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92%Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

Unique and engaging roguelike deckbuilding gameplay with a fresh gem-matching mechanic.
Strong art style and music, heavily praised for its Persona-like aesthetics and memorable soundtrack.
Three distinct characters with unique playstyles providing good replayability and a satisfying combo system.

Randomness in gem generation and rewards can cause frustration and limit strategic deckbuilding choices.
Timer mechanic during turns can feel restrictive and annoying for some players, affecting the pace.
Lack of depth in story and limited content outside gameplay; some feel it needs more features, polish, and clarity in explanations.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The gameplay offers a unique and engaging twist on the roguelike genre, with diverse characters each providing distinct playstyles and a compelling core loop that encourages experimentation. While the mixture of RNG elements and a timer mechanic adds challenge and complexity, some players find certain enemy behaviors frustrating and wish for more dynamic abilities across all characters. Overall, the solid gameplay is praised for its depth and replayability, though some balance refinements and additional content are anticipated.
- “I've been so tired of playing 'rogue-like' games and it's just the same rinse and repeat concept, but this one has a really fun cast of characters to play with, and each of them plays the game in a unique way, making me want to replay it for the vibes alone. The great gameplay loop has me strapped in, enjoying this ride I'm on.”
- “This is a very fun roguelike that encourages you to experiment with different builds on the fly and use every mechanic to the fullest.”
- “Each agent has their own gimmick and special ability that's linked to the limited AP system in the game to make the gameplay more fun and varied between them.”
- “This frustration is compounded by having two major RNG-based mechanics: the skill (deck) building, and the blessing (deck) building.”
- “Some of the enemy or boss mechanics are a little too aggressive; one can theoretically wipe your entire supply of gems whilst another can block them off.”
- “I will say, it feels the puzzle solving and the timer mechanic are at pretty big contrasts with each other, which is something I hope the dev deals with.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
45%
The music in this game is widely praised for its unique blend of jazz, orchestra, and pop punk, reminiscent of Persona 5's style. Players find the soundtrack captivating and fresh, significantly enhancing the fun and immersion during gameplay. Many highlight the memorable, high-quality OST as a major value addition.
- “And my ears were in heaven listening to the music of this game, a mix of jazz, orchestra, and pop punk.”
- “The music and UI are very reminiscent of Persona 5, and it keeps the game feeling fresh and fun.”
- “The $15 is well worth it, and the OST will be stuck in your head for days.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story is minimal and primarily delivered through a few textboxes in the four handcrafted missions, making it feel limited and less engaging compared to the gameplay. Players find the narrative lacking in depth and character development, with the focus clearly placed on gameplay mechanics and progression rather than storytelling.
- “With each mission you complete with the agents, you unlock more abilities, more stages, and harder bosses.”
- “After mission 1, she gains the flower seed and flower gems that really change up her gameplay, which I think is amazing.”
- “The story could be cool if it wasn't just a handful of textboxes and I could get behind the characters I was playing as (and with only 3 characters, it feels very lacking at the price point it's at).”
- “Which you can only access in the 4 regular missions: those are handcrafted and less varied than the extra missions (proper roguelike).”
- “And that's it, as we delve into the gameplay, you'll learn that the story is not what's important; it's the gameplay.”
- “The story is kinda lacking but it is what it is.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The graphics are praised for their unique and engaging art style, featuring vibrant aesthetics and creatively designed enemies that enhance the overall atmosphere. Combined with complementary music, the visual presentation contributes to a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience.
- “A rather engaging and challenging game with interesting art style.”
- “From the art style to the wacky-looking enemies and their funny attacks, down to the music that plays while you battle.”
- “Match3 with roguelike and persona aesthetics just works.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game runs smoothly without noticeable bugs, but its repetitive nature may impact the overall experience.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is conveyed through its quirky art style, amusing enemy designs and attacks, and the playful music that accompanies battles, creating a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.