Naked Rain's upcoming free-to-play urban RPG, Ananta, has drawn comparisons to the Grand Theft Auto series due to its expansive open world, diverse activities, and narrative focus. However, the game's developer aims to differentiate itself by integrating a novel influencer-driven progression system, a move that could either solidify its appeal or lead to unfocused ambition.
Ananta is set to feature two distinct cities: the sprawling metropolis of Nova City and the more rural village of Chongxiao. Nova City, previously showcased at Tokyo Game Show in 2025, is depicted as a densely populated urban environment with numerous establishments and activities, encouraging players to engage with the city beyond mere mission progression. Chongxiao, in contrast, offers a serene setting with traditional Chinese architecture and calmer minigames, demonstrating the development team's capability to create diverse environments. This variety extends to player traversal, with options including driving cars and motorcycles, aerial gliding, yacht travel, and even Spider-Man-style web-swinging between buildings.
A Unique Progression System
A core mechanic in Ananta revolves around the player character's journey to become an online celebrity. The Captain of the Countermeasures Bureau, an organization in disrepair, decides to leverage social media popularity to revive it. Player progression is directly tied to growing an online following, which in turn unlocks new characters, content, and areas. This system is woven into the gameplay loop, with missions designed to build reputation and expand the player's fanbase, subsequently providing more resources and opportunities for recruitment and relationship building. Players will encounter a diverse cast of characters, such as Richie and Taffy, each offering unique perspectives and gameplay styles. For instance, Richie, a member of the New Eden Patrol Bureau, can investigate crimes, while Taffy, a food delivery driver, navigates the city on her motorcycle.
Combat in Ananta involves straightforward mechanics, including blocking and countering attacks telegraphed by visual cues. The game also allows for the use of environmental objects and vehicles as weapons during fights. Exploration includes various gameplay segments, such as stealth sequences, underwater swimming, and platforming across disappearing structures, all designed to feel integrated rather than arbitrary. The game also plans to allow players to obtain characters as the story unfolds, a departure from typical gacha mechanics that plague many competitors.
Ambition Versus Execution
Ananta's ambition is undeniable, aiming to meld the freedom of an open-world RPG with character-driven narratives, extensive environmental interaction, minigames, and social systems. The game's focus on the influencer concept and its direct correlation to progression sets it apart, but the sheer breadth of its planned features raises questions about its coherence and long-term viability. While many encounters during the preview involved discovering characters and engaging with emergent situations, the pressure is on Naked Rain to ensure these elements sustain player interest over time.
Naked Rain has expressed its intention for Ananta to be a "long-term" game, with a plan for post-launch expansion. However, the developer has not detailed specifics regarding this plan. The game's success may hinge on its ability to provide meaningful content that justifies its expansive world and unique progression system, ensuring that for a game built around going viral, it can maintain a dedicated audience.