Tokyo Game Show 2025 featured many interesting games, but few were able to create crowds as consistent as ANANTA's booth. From day one, long queues were a constant sight, proving just how curious gamers were about the title formerly known as Project Mugen This.
After seeing the trailer and its potential, the PlayEatSleep team finally had the chance to try out the demo for the first time.
Getting to know the world of Ananta and the hype behind it
ANANTA is a game free-to-play open-world action RPG developed by Naked Rain and Thunder Fire Studio, and will be published by NetEase Games. The game is scheduled for release for PC, PlayStation 5, and Smartphone platforms.
The hype surrounding this game is not without foundation. Two days before TGS 2025 started, gameplay trailer uploaded on PlayStation's official YouTube channel garnered over two million views, showing off the fast-paced traversal action that immediately drew comparisons to the game's Spider-Man. This makes ANANTA one of the most must-try demos at this prestigious gaming event.
In its world, players will assume the role of an Esper, a superpowered individual who acts as an elite investigator. His job is to investigate anomalies and supernatural occurrences in a dynamic urban environment where urban legends become reality. Players can team up with other Esper's with unique stories and abilities to take on the chaos that threatens humanity.
Ananta's Demo Experience: Cinematic Action & Free Exploration
Our demo experience is split into two different main segments: story mission and exploration open-world. Both provide a clear picture of the two main pillars offered by ANANTA.
The first part is story mission which immediately threw us into a fight. This session serves as an introduction to the combat system centered on attack and block/counter buttons, where we can also interact with the many objects in the environment to use as weapons. The mission then moves on to an intense car chase segment, reminiscent of the cinematic action sequences from the game. Uncharted.
To give you a visual idea of the story missions we played, you can watch the gameplay footage released on ANANTA's official YouTube channel below.
After that purposeful story segment, the demo unveiled its best part: the free-roam mode. This is where we got a real taste of freedom, where this vibrant metropolis became our playground.
We started by testing the main protagonist's traversal abilities, which felt very familiar to fans of superhero games. The character switch feature, initiated through the mobile menu as if summoning a teammate, led us to Taffy, who offers a completely different style. Instead of swinging, Taffy transforms her giant hammer into a jet-powered scooter to glide through the streets.
Finally, we tried out the third character, Richie. He brings a completely different layer of gameplay. As a law enforcement figure, he can call his own police car, interrogate civilians, issue tickets, and even make arrests. His presence transforms parts of the gameplay into an urban simulation, providing variety we weren't expecting and adding depth to the world's interactions.
Beyond the unique abilities of each character, the world of ANANTA itself feels interactive. During our exploration, we found that the city isn't just a backdrop. Players can enter various buildings such as shops, movie theaters, and even spend time playing arcade machines. Details like these show the potential depth of the world being built, making it feel more alive and immersive.
Inspiring Combinations that Spark Discussion
There's no denying that ANANTA takes inspiration from many popular games. We feel the feel of Marvel's Spider-Man on the traversal system, GTA V on the character switching mechanism and driving freedom, as well as the Uncharted on the cinematic story segment.
This approach has certainly sparked discussion among gamers. Many see it as a smart move, combining the best mechanics that have proven successful and presenting them in a new package with an attractive anime aesthetic.
However, not a few have also voiced concerns. There was a suggestion that the game might be too derivative and risk lacking a strong original identity. The question is whether ANANTA is able to transcend its inspirations and offer something truly new, or if it will just be a compilation of features that are fun in the short term.
Final Impression and Hope for Ananta
We left the ANANTA booth with a very positive impression. The gameplay is addictive, the world is vast, and the variety between characters is promising. Our only small note is that the demo didn't explore the personalities of the characters enough. Hopefully, in the full release version, they will have characterizations that are as strong as the visual design.
As of now, an official release date for ANANTA has not been announced. However, after the hands-on experience at TGS 2025, the game has shot up to be one of our most anticipated titles.
Don't miss the exclusive TGS 2025 report
TOKYO GAME SHOW is one of the world's largest game shows organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and co-organizers Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and DENTSU INC. TGS has become the premier platform for game industry players to showcase their latest innovations and technologies.
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