Ananta: 17 Minutes of Gameplay for the Chinese Animated ‘GTA Killer’

Our favorite Goodies

Ananta Unveils Electrifying Gameplay and Characters in New Videos

Initially known as Project Mugen, the game now called Ananta generated significant buzz at last year’s Tokyo Game Show. Developed by NetEase Games with assistance from Studio Naked Rain, it quickly became a major talking point, hailed by many as a potential breakout title from China. Dubbed the “GTA Killer,” Ananta blends elements from games such as Grand Theft Auto, Spider-Man, Sleeping Dogs, Watch Dogs, and Yakuza, all within an anime-style futuristic metropolis known as Nova City. Journalists and attendees eagerly experienced the game firsthand at the Tokyo show. NetEase recently released two new videos online: a 7-minute full trailer and a 10-minute gameplay sequence showcasing the beginning of the adventure. These videos highlight flashy combo moves and interactions with key characters for exploring the world. The protagonist combines martial arts with Venom-style tentacle arms, allowing the character to use environmental objects like trash cans and cars as weapons against enemies. This combat style notably resembles that of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 from PlayStation and Insomniac Games. Ananta has PlayStation’s backing and is confirmed as a PlayStation 5 exclusive.

New Characters and Gameplay Highlights in Ananta’s Immersive Open-World Adventure

The adventure begins when Taffy, a character with distinctive large ears, rescues Captain, the protagonist. She becomes his patron, and together they are set to protect Nova City. Gameplay features a real-time chase sequence, followed by vehicular combat that includes knocking over motorcyclists. Players will also encounter a sequence reminiscent of Uncharted 4, complete with quick-time events (QTEs) and scripted scenes. A key feature of Ananta is the ability to embody several characters, each possessing a unique playstyle. The tentacled protagonist can swing between buildings, capture enemies from a distance, and grapple onto vehicles. Richie, a policewoman with a dragon tail, intercepts NPCs, checks for IDs or illegal substances, and initiates random quests. Additionally, a hacker character navigates the city on a scooter-Segway hybrid, offering quick and agile movement. Similar to Grand Theft Auto V, players can switch between characters mid-action, instantly altering perspectives and abilities, which contributes to a varied experience within an incredibly detailed open world.

Ananta’s Immersive Open-World Adventure Offers Unique Monetization and Freedom in Tokyo Game Show Debut

Nova City offers an immersive and interactive environment. Players can freely explore, pursue antagonists, undertake side missions, or engage with locals. While driving mechanics, shootout fluidity, and melee combat could be smoother, the city itself offers visually rich environments and unique animation. Ananta diverges from common monetization practices; players unlock characters through story progression rather than a gacha lottery system, a point NetEase has explicitly confirmed. The game’s revenue model will focus solely on cosmetic purchases for characters, vehicles, or home decorations, ensuring microtransactions do not affect gameplay. NetEase’s Ananta showcases ambitious scope through its diverse gameplay, allowing players to transition seamlessly between exploration, combat, driving, and chase sequences. Nova City, an expansive open-world anime metropolis, offers a wealth of activities and options, providing a level of freedom uncommon in free-to-play titles. While a definitive release date has not yet been announced, NetEase plans to showcase Ananta at the Tokyo Game Show from September 25-28. Development is underway for PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android platforms. Ananta is already poised to be one of the year’s most impressive and ambitious games, ready to challenge Western and Japanese AAA titles and representing a significant advancement for Chinese video game development.

In Case You Missed It

For all you retro gamers and sci-fi enthusiasts out there, Marcus Thompson delved into the fascinating world of a canceled Perfect Dark reboot on September 22, 2025. Discover leaked art and documents that reveal an Eco Sci-Fi aesthetic for Joanna Dark’s futuristic setting and learn about Adrenaline, the system that would have granted her unique combat abilities. Though this ambitious project was ultimately shelved by Microsoft, it offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been. Dive into the details Perfect Dark Reboot Might Have Been Released in Seasons and let your imagination run wild with this visionary concept! For those eager to dive into the heart of Brazil’s gaming scene, don’t miss out on this year’s Brazil Game Show (BGS) where ExitLag is set to make a massive impact from October 9th to 12th. Sophie Laurent gives us an inside look at what to expect in her latest piece, highlighting everything from exclusive meet & greets with top influencers like Blackoutz and Stolen, to engaging panel discussions on the future of gaming careers and content creation. Plus, catch the action-packed “Exitlag Champz” tournament featuring a hefty prize pool of up to R$22,000! Dive into all the details ExitLag Brings Innovation, Urban Culture, and Connectivity to Brazil Game Show 2025 and get ready for an unforgettable gaming experience. In related news, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has seen a notable price hike from $24.99 to $29.99 in the United States, marking a significant 50% increase that has stirred considerable debate among gamers and industry experts alike. Jonathan Dubinski delves into this topic in his latest piece titled “Xbox Increases Game Pass Price, Former FTC President Had Previously Warned,” published on October 4, 2025. The article explores the implications of this pricing strategy and revisits warnings issued by Lina Khan during her tenure at the Federal Trade Commission about potential negative impacts on players following the Xbox-Activision Blizzard merger. For a deeper look into how these changes might affect you as a gamer, be sure to check out Jonathan’s insightful analysis Xbox Increases Game Pass Price, Former FTC President Had Previously Warned.