Ananta’s New Gameplay Trailer Wows, But Raises Big Questions
NetEase’s ambitious project Ananta has once again captured attention with its recently released extended gameplay trailer. Spanning a breathtaking seven minutes, the footage teases a mash-up of mechanics drawing from GTA, Spider-Man, and Yakuza while wrapped in a vibrant anime aesthetic. Observers call it an “anime GTA,” a label that both excites and invites scrutiny.
Set in a futuristic urban world called Nova City, the trailer shows off fast traversal—cars, gliding, web-like movement—alongside intense melee and ranged combat combos. Allies, city NPCs, social media overlays, and quirky set pieces (yes, even a walking toilet creature) briefly appear, hinting at a universe that’s part superhero epic, part urban playground.
From what’s publicly known, Ananta (formerly “Project Mugen”) is being developed by Naked Rain and NetEase Montreal. It’s targeting PC, PS5, and mobile platforms, though no official release date is confirmed yet.
Hype, Skepticism & “Too Much In One Game”
When the trailer dropped, reaction across Reddit, YouTube, and fan circles ranged from awe to caution. Many praised the bold mix of genres: a Reddit user mused that it “basically is anime + GTA + Spider-Man + Watch Dogs,” while admitting concern over how all those elements will mesh. Some others noted that stylistically, Ananta feels more cohesive than some NetEase trailers, which have previously swung wildly in tone.
YouTube reaction videos tend to mirror that mix. One commentator remarked, “There were like six different games crammed into that trailer… Heck of a first impression,” while another said, “It looks gorgeous, and the varied gameplay will be interesting to watch.” Some creators speculated that the developers may be trying too much—jumping between ideas rather than focusing on perfecting one core loop.
One point of discussion is monetization. In Reddit threads, users are scrutinizing whether Ananta will be a character gacha game. Some claim “apparently Ananta will have no character gacha, only cosmetic/vehicle/customization monetization,” which would distinguish it from many past NetEase titles. That said, others warn that even cosmetic systems can slip into pay-to-win territory. The lack of clarity has fans cautiously optimistic—but demanding transparency.
Ambition Is Clear, Execution Unknown
From the trailer, Ananta strikes as a bold, ambitious title that seeks to combine the best parts of many open-world games. The traversal looks fluid; combat variety promising. The world is visually vibrant, and the anime art style gives it personality and flair.
But the risk is real: packing in too many mechanics can lead to shallow integration rather than meaningful depth. The challenge will be ensuring that each system—combat, traversal, world building, social systems—feels polished and cohesive rather than grabbed from template.
I’m particularly curious about how Ananta handles progression. If character unlocks are tied to gameplay rather than gacha systems, that’s a win in my book. But balancing free-to-play sustainability with fairness is a delicate act. The promise of “no character gacha” is exciting, but it’s only compelling if the monetization model stays player-friendly.
Finally, regardless of ambition, this trailer is a promise—not a guarantee. The gap between concept and playable product can be wide. If Ananta nails the fundamentals (responsiveness, pacing, world density) and avoids spreading itself too thin, it may well deliver something unique in the crowded open-world landscape.
This is a trailer that gets you excited, with glaring ambition and visual style that stands out. But as always, the proof will be in playtime. For now, Ananta earns a “watch closely” badge.
