Anthem#9 is a premium puzzle game for PC developed by Koeda. It is a gem-matching roguelike adventure featuring deck-building elements. In it, players assume the role of special agents for a clandestine organization that operates in the shadows and goes on dangerous missions to fight enemies who threaten the world. 

Taking the slick visuals and music of JRPG hits like Persona 5 Royal, and combining them with the tactical depth of the ever-popular Slay The Spire, Anthem#9 serves up a fresh and unique gameplay experience for fans of matching games. A demo version is also available for newcomers to check out. 

Not your typical matching game 

In the game, you assume the role of a special agent working for the titular Anthem#9, a secret organization that safeguards the world from enemy threats who wish to disrupt balance and order. Choose from a trio of charismatic agents, each with their own unique set of skills and specializations to help you through different encounters and situations throughout your journey. 

The core gameplay in Anthem#9 revolves around matching gems using AP to build a skill deck that you can combine in all sorts of ways to unleash devastating attacks on enemies. The catch is that you’re doing all this while on a countdown, resulting in a race against time to whittle down your enemy’s HP before they do the same to you. 

Receive Blessings that provide unique effects and bonuses to your attacks in all sorts of ways, and push through randomly generated levels with branching paths to take, so no two runs will feel exactly the same. Now, given everything going on and the time pressure, it will all be a bit confusing and overwhelming at first, and the convoluted UI doesn’t help alleviate some of the learning curve. 

A fun twist 

All in all, Anthem#9 offers a nice twist to the classic match-3 gameplay that allows for a more tactical approach as you build your skill deck and execute them to maximize effectiveness and damage. The time limit increases the stakes, and the randomly generated levels keep you on your toes and adapting. Hopefully, the UI will be improved in future updates. Aside from that, this is worth checking out.