Ananta Emerges as Wishlist Hit, But Hands-On Demos Reveal a Massive Hodge-Podge of Borrowed Ideas

Open-world RPG Ananta recently made waves at Gamescom, stepping out of the event as the third most-wishlisted game of the show behind Warlock and The Witcher 3. Billing itself as a free-to-play experience with an anime art style, the title has frequently drawn comparisons to a free anime take on Grand Theft Auto. However, a recent hands-on preview exploring the game's bustling streets reveals a massive hodge-podge of mechanics and systems crammed into a single massive scope.

Developed by Naked Rain and published by NetEase Games, Ananta features controls and exploration elements that heavily echo mechanics found in other recent AAA titles. During a one-hour demo, players encountered combat and traversal featuring swinging mechanics and combat fluidity reminiscent of Marvel's Spider-Man, alongside intense car chases involving vehicular gunplay and pursuit driving. The game also introduces multiple playable characters with distinct abilities, such as a protagonist utilizing tentacle-like extensions and a second playable character—a cop—who possesses the unique ability to question and detain random passers-by on the street.

The open-world design draws architectural inspiration from China's massive conurbations, featuring exploration elements like gyms, cinemas, and shops. Yet, the hands-on preview quickly shifted gears to introduce entirely disparate gameplay sections, including a stealth-focused segment involving two young sisters escaping a rural temple to evade organized kidnappers in animal masks. This section transitions into an open-world map inspired by a quiet Japanese countryside complete with market stalls and fairground games.

Critics note that while individual components like driving and gunplay feel solid, the sheer volume of disparate, borrowed ideas leaves the project struggling to establish its own cohesive identity. Despite these structural questions regarding its sprawling identity, Ananta is scheduled to launch as a free-to-play title across PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile platforms on January 15, 2027.