Ananta: Is This “Free Anime GTA” a Masterpiece or a Mashup for Pakistani Gamers?
There’s a new game on the horizon that’s got everyone talking, especially with its rather wild comparisons to a certain beloved open-world franchise mixed with a hefty dose of anime flair. We’re talking about Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play title that promises an “open-world RPG” experience, but seems to be throwing everything and the kitchen sink into its gameplay loop. After a recent hands-on demo, it’s clear Ananta is a game of massive ambition, yet it leaves us wondering if it can truly find its own identity amidst a sea of borrowed ideas.
The hype around Ananta is undeniable. It made waves at Gamescom, becoming the third most-wishlisted game of the entire event. That’s a huge achievement, putting it right up there with heavy hitters. But what exactly is Ananta, and can it live up to the lofty expectations and the “free anime GTA” buzz?
A Smorgasbord of Gameplay Styles
From the get-go, Ananta feels like a game that’s trying to be many things at once. The demo kicks off with intense combat, where players control a stylish anime protagonist who seems to wield powers reminiscent of Marvel’s Venom. Imagine tossing manhole covers at enemies and pulling off slick finishing moves – it’s all there, and surprisingly intuitive. The controls feel instantly familiar, a testament to how smoothly the developers have integrated mechanics we’ve seen in other popular action games.
But the combat is just the beginning. Soon after, you’re given the freedom to traverse a sprawling city. And how do you do that? By shooting out your arms to slingshot across buildings, in a manner that will immediately remind many of a certain web-slinging superhero. Again, the traversal is smooth and easy to pick up, making exploration a joy even if the inspiration is quite clear.
High-Octane Chases and Character Swapping
Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, Ananta throws you into a thrilling car chase. This isn’t just about driving; you’ll find yourself leaning out of the window, unloading bullets into pursuing enemy vehicles in an action sequence straight out of a blockbuster movie. And then, you’re behind the wheel, navigating a chaotic route through side alleys and construction sites. Both the driving and gunplay during these sequences feel remarkably solid, which is a pleasant surprise for a game that juggles so many different mechanics.
This car chase also introduces a second playable character – a sharp cop who saves the day with some daring maneuvers. What’s even cooler is that after this introduction, you can swap between these two characters seamlessly while exploring the city. This mechanic, allowing you to zoom out and then into another character’s location, is another feature that gamers will instantly recognize from other blockbuster open-world titles, blending elements of superhero adventures with crime sagas.
Who’s Who and When to Play
Before we dive deeper into Ananta’s diverse world, here are the key details you need to know:
- Developer: Naked Rain
- Publisher: NetEase Games
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Mobile
- Anticipated Release Date: January 15, 2027
The second protagonist, the cop, offers a completely different set of abilities. While your initial hero can swing through the cityscape with his tentacle-like powers, the cop has the power to question and even detain random passers-by. Imagine trying to arrest an innocent salaryman who flees in terror after passing a breathalyzer test – it’s quirky, unexpected, and adds another layer of interaction to the bustling, Chinese-inspired urban environment. This city itself is packed with potential, hinting at gyms, cinemas, and shops to explore, promising an immersive open world.
A Whimsical Tour of Disconnected Worlds
The demo takes an even wilder turn, whisking players away from the busy metropolis to an entirely different segment of the game. Here, the focus shifts to stealth, introducing new characters – two young sisters – in a rural temple setting. Instead of fighting rust-punk goons, you’re now evading organized kidnappers in sharp suits and unsettling animal masks. It’s a complete genre shift, from urban action to rural infiltration, and the change is jarring.
Once you’ve navigated the stealth section, Ananta drops you into yet another open-world area, this time inspired by a serene Japanese countryside town. The gyms and cinemas are replaced by vibrant fairground games and bustling market stalls. It’s beautiful, but it feels like a completely separate experience, with no clear narrative or thematic link to the previous sections of the demo. It’s like playing three different games glued together, one after the other.
The Identity Crisis of an “Everything Game”
This “everything game” approach is Ananta’s most defining, and perhaps most perplexing, characteristic. It throws so many diverse ideas and mechanics at the player so quickly that boredom is hardly an option. However, the downside is that many of these systems feel like they’ve been lifted directly from other, more established titles. The anime art style does a great job of giving it a unique visual appeal, but it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the underlying gameplay mechanics, often simply masking their familiar origins.
While Ananta manages to keep its various elements from falling apart at the seams, it struggles to stitch them together into a cohesive whole with a distinct identity. It offers many good ideas, but often, these ideas have been executed better elsewhere. For Pakistani gamers looking for a massive, free-to-play adventure with strong anime aesthetics and familiar gameplay loops, Ananta will undoubtedly grab attention. The comparisons to GTA and Spider-Man, combined with its F2P model, are a huge draw. However, whether this chaotic blend of borrowed brilliance can truly retain a dedicated audience in the long run remains to be seen. It’s a game that promises a lot, and while it delivers on sheer quantity, the quality of its unique offering is still up for debate.
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