In a bid to capture the essence of Genshin Impact’s success, newcomer game developer Naked Rain (a subsidiary of Netease) is set to release an exciting free-to-play action RPG titled “Project Mugen.” The game features captivating anime characters with the ability to gracefully web-swing through a sprawling cityscape, reminiscent of Spider-Man. The game’s unveiling trailer seamlessly blends elements from the worlds of Grand Theft Auto and Genshin Impact, delivering an urban anime experience rich with diverse playable characters.
Project Mugen’s visual style draws parallels with Zenless Zone Zero, a title that recently garnered attention at Gamescom. The game’s narrative unfolds within a near-future sci-fi metropolis, a haven susceptible to supernatural incursions. In a departure from traditional traversal methods, characters in Project Mugen can elegantly traverse the urban terrain by grappling onto towering structures, and nimbly wall-run, akin to the mechanics in Insomniac’s Spider-Man series.
While the initial trailer doesn’t showcase the full extent of Project Mugen’s combat dynamics, a leaked video on Bilibili (re-uploaded by YouTube user MaxDGacha) presents combat sequences strikingly reminiscent of Genshin Impact or Tower of Fantasy. The third-person combat sequences unfold on the rooftop of a building, as characters gracefully swing and engage in combat against a host of adversaries. Players have the flexibility to switch between characters, chaining together attacks in a seamless combo sequence leading up to a powerful ultimate move.
Similar to established titles by MiHoYo, it’s likely that acquiring new characters will involve a gacha-style rolling system. While specifics about cooperative play or the potential to borrow characters from fellow players remain undisclosed by Naked Rain, the current presentation suggests an action RPG inspired by Genshin Impact, opting for a GTA-inspired open-world structure as opposed to Breath of the Wild’s approach.
Character design, often pivotal to the success of such games, takes center stage in Project Mugen. With the introduction of a charismatic bunny girl character and tantalizing glimpses of other figures, including a mysterious dark-haired male protagonist and a girl sporting pink hair adorned with cat ears, the game promises a captivating array of anime-inspired personalities. The trailer tantalizingly hints at the possibility of further characters, sparking anticipation for additions like a wolf-like character akin to Von Lycaon from ZZZ.
While no official release date or beta launch has been announced, players can preregister on Project Mugen’s official website to stay updated on developments. Given the leaked combat footage, it’s reasonable to speculate that a beta phase might be in the works, allowing players an early taste of the action-packed gameplay that Project Mugen intends to deliver.
