Ananta estimated release date and gameplay; All you need to know and more

by

  • Ananta is the upcoming open-world RPG that’s taking gaming by storm
  • But what is there, besides the hype, to know about this upcoming NetEase-backed project?
  • We dig into the background, gameplay and more, and try to nail down a release date

Since Genshin Impact revolutionized the mobile open-world RPG scene by introducing grandeur previously thought impossible on mobile devices, the longstanding belief that large-scale games can’t be successful on mobiles has largely been debunked. Now, even the creators of Genshin Impact, MiHoYo, are swiftly launching more expansive and visually stunning sequels. However, a fresh contender is emerging that could potentially usher in a new era for the genre.

Absolutely! Today’s discussion revolves around Ananta, an expansive role-playing game developed by NetEase and Naked Rain. This game offers a unique blend of city exploration through swing mechanics, high-speed car chases on highways, action-packed shootouts, brawls, and electric combat scenes. With its release imminent, Ananta seems poised to conquer the gaming industry once more.

After seeing the buzz surrounding Ananta’s gameplay and grand ambitions, I thought it was time to delve deeper and separate truth from hype. Additionally, I’ll share some hints regarding potential release dates and other details. So, let’s dive in and learn more about what makes Ananta unique!

City Living

Originally known as Project Mugen – no, not the fighting game emulator – The basic gist of Ananta is that you’ll play a member of the A.C.D. (Anti-Chaos Directorate), a paramilitary organisation devoted to combatting all sorts of bizarre phenomena caused by capital-C Chaos. As you explore Nova City, you’ll come across all kinds of weird and dangerous happenings ranging from bloodthirsty cars to packs of sentient toilets. It shouldn’t surprise you that Ananta is taking just a slightly irreverent tone.

In the spirit of numerous other open-world RPGs, Ananta is brimming with various side activities, some of which were previewed in the trailer and hinted at through their social media posts. These include playing basketball, going to clubs, and even darts, just to name a few.

In terms of combat, there appears to be an emphasis on real-time battles, incorporating elements from various other games. This could include fast-paced shootouts on highways, employing diverse abilities to eliminate foes or even some stealthy parkour maneuvers where the surroundings are utilized to outwit opponents.

Parkour!

Perhaps the most interesting feature that Ananta promises is its massive open world. Now, as I wrote before, Genshin Impact does take the cake currently when it comes to exploring massive open spaces. However, many of these are instanced and there’s plenty of empty space between points of interest to help smooth the technical limitations.

Instead of contrast, let’s say Ananta’s announcement trailer and gameplay clips emphasize a continuous open-world design, similar to Grand Theft Auto or Just Cause. Moreover, the movement mechanics, reminiscent of Spider-Man, in driving and other aspects, have undeniably grabbed the interest of fans. Developer Naked Rain has elaborated on their 3C system, which enables traversal between buildings, driving, and parkour navigation across expansive urban landscapes, including swimming!

Everything here assumes that it’s an uninterrupted open world for exploration, with as little or no loading screens as possible.

At first, I planned to provide a bit of reality check, stating that this project might not meet all expectations. But upon further investigation, it appears that the developers have already considered the difficulties associated with such an ambitious undertaking. One of the most significant advancements highlighted in the interviews below is the use of procedural generation in Nova City. This feature aims to manage the technical requirements of constructing a vast urban cityscape on mobile devices effectively.

I’ve always marveled at how procedural generation has been an integral part of gaming since time immemorial, enabling vast open worlds to be created with almost zero loading times. But it’s not just about that; it’s also a game-changer when it comes to seamlessly incorporating intricate indoor environments within the game, as hinted in the trailer.

Two-fisted action

Furthering my comparisons to other releases, it seems as if there’s more than a shade of Sega’s Yakuza games to Ananta’s combat. Destructive fixtures and fittings, as well as a variety of randomly strewn objects, can either be destroyed or turned on your enemies.

In a similar vein, Ananta’s close-quarter combat seems heavily focused on hand-to-hand fighting, reminiscent of beat-’em-up style action. However, there are instances where we observe shooting from a vehicle, implying that firearm action could potentially be introduced later in the scenes.

In combat scenarios, our main character will indeed be the one mentioned earlier. However, we’ll also come across several other interesting characters during gameplay. It appears reminiscent of Genshin Impact that we can alternate between these characters to utilize their unique skills in battles.

Estimated release date for Ananta

Now, the more important info such as when exactly we can expect Ananta to release and on what platform. Well, you’ll be glad to know
pre-registration is open right now on the official website
, although that doesn’t say much about when we can actually expect it, which is something developer Naked Rain has seemingly been a bit cagey about. Although given the massive success of Marvel Rivals, another major NetEase release that’s garnered huge attention, I’m not surprised they’re waiting for that hype storm to die down a bit first.

Based on similarities to Genshin Impact, it seems reasonable to speculate about a potential launch timeline for Project Mugen. Genshin Impact was initially announced in June 2019 and hit the shelves the following year in September. Since Project Mugen was introduced in 2023, it’s quite plausible that we might see its release in late 2025. Given that there wasn’t a beta test for Ananta, our prediction is that the official launch will take place at the end of 2025.

It seems that although official reports are somewhat vague, most sources concur that game Ananta will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, as well as for iOS and Android devices. This means that regardless of the platform you prefer, you’ll have a chance to join in the fun.

Read More

2025-03-20 12:48