Ananta: A Chinese RPG Game Stirring Hype and Controversy

The gaming world has been buzzing lately about Ananta. NetEase’s Ananta is an upcoming open-world RPG that’s drawing comparisons to some of the industry’s biggest names like GTA V, Spider-Man, Yakuza, and even Uncharted. Developed with a striking anime-styled aesthetic and announced for PC, PS5, and mobile platforms, Ananta has quickly gone from curiosity to hot topic after gameplay footage lit up social media. Hype! Hype! Hype!!!

But along with the excitement, there’s some spicy controversy as well, as fans and critics alike have accused the game of borrowing, some say outright copying animations and mechanics from blockbuster titles. Swinging animations that look strikingly similar to Spider-Man 2, character-switch transitions reminiscent of GTA V, and even a chase sequence with some similarities to Uncharted 4 have all been flagged.

The developers have not yet commented directly on these plagiarism accusations, and no formal legal action has been taken. For now, the debate is actually of perception:

Is Ananta guilty of creative theft, or is it simply blending genre staples into something fresh?

Familiar, but Not Unprecedented

The controversy did not come as a surprise at all, as in an industry filled with mechanics and cinematic flourishes often echoing across franchises, the line between homage and infringement can be extremely blurry. Debates like this have unfolded before as well, from character designs in Gacha games to the Sony-Tencent scuffle over asset similarities.

Ananta’s case is still very unique in just how many iconic titles it seems to reference. Like, how can you possibly fit five or six massively hit titles into a single game that also runs on mobile platforms? It is undoubtedly impressive, but Critics do worry that this mashup could signal a lack of originality. Those in support argue that inspiration is nothing new; after all, countless other games have also borrowed from GTA’s open-world formula or Spider-Man’s traversal. What matters, they say… is Execution.

A Complete Package?

Beyond the accusations, Ananta’s ambition is simply undeniable. Players can swing between skyscrapers like their favourite superhero and then, in the very next breath, carjack vehicles and cruise through city streets. The option of simply chilling, with mini-games like darts and basketball, is also available. Hands-on previews at Tokyo Game Show^[1] suggest the world is designed to keep players busy at every turn, and the combat borrows fluidity from the likes of Sifu and Batman: Arkham.

Credible sources like PC Gamer^[2] and Automaton have reported that the monetization model also seems gamer-friendly compared to industry norms. Ananta won’t use Gacha systems, a common complaint in anime-inspired titles, to unlock characters. Instead, players will spend on customizations for outfits, vehicles, and homes.

The Visuals: Love It or Leave It

Ananta undeniably stands out in its visuals. The anime-infused art style won’t be for everyone, understandably, but for those who connect with it, the presentation feels marvelous.

To think that the game looks absolutely stunning is going to be normal for almost everybody. Sure, its art style might only appeal to a certain player base, but the game is amazing regardless. There’s absolutely everything in this game. From shooting hoops and throwing darts to driving cars and swinging through an open world like your favorite superhero. What more can a gamer ask for? It might get too chaotic at times, but then again, some of us absolutely love chaos in video games.

The first impressions of this game are extremely positive, plagiarism chatter or not. Ananta looks like a complete package. If it can deliver even half of what’s been teased so far, it could become a sleeper hit.

The Road Ahead

Of course, it’s still too early to know if Ananta will meet its sky-high expectations. The developers haven’t given a confirmed release date, and there’s always the risk that ambition outpaces polish. But the buzz, whether praise for its style or criticism for its similarities, shows that the game has people talking.

At the end of the day, gamers will decide if Ananta is a bold new entry in the open-world RPG space or just an echo of the greats that came before it. For now, one thing is certain… NetEase’s Ananta^[3] has already made its mark on the conversation.