The upcoming free-to-play anime RPG Ananta, developed by Naked Rain and published by NetEase, is turning heads with its unique blend of open-world chaos and anime style.
Why it matters: Ananta’s ambitious mashup of gameplay elements from popular titles like Grand Theft Auto, Spider-Man, and Saints Row, all presented with a distinct anime flair, could set a new standard for the genre if executed well.
The details:
- Players control four ADP task force officers, each with unique skills, to maintain order in Nova City.
- The game features a wide range of activities, from brawling with gangs and hacking systems to engaging in minigames like basketball and skydiving.
- Ananta’s parody world, reminiscent of Saints Row but infused with anime humor, adds a fresh twist to the open-world genre.
- The game is in development for Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC, with no release date announced yet.
However, the game’s September 23 trailer also drew accusations of copying animations from Spider-Man 2, particularly the swinging sequence starting at the 6:14 mark.
What they’re saying:
- “How do these gacha games get away with straight up ripping off Spider-Man? These are literally animations.”
- “GTA5 character switch animations, copy pasted lol.”
- Memes about Insomniac, Sony, and Marvel lawyers began circulating, humorously suggesting legal action could be on the horizon.
While most of the chatter was playful, the situation highlights that big publishers are sometimes inclined to take legal action over such claims, as seen with Sony’s recent lawsuit against a Chinese company over its Horizon series.
What’s next: Fans eagerly await more news about Ananta and hope the game lives up to the hype created by its exciting trailer. If the gameplay mechanics hold up as well as the game’s style, Ananta could be the closest thing to an anime-inspired GTA.