Ananta combat: how fighting works

Combat in Ananta is a melee-first system inspired by martial arts and kung fu films, where the city itself becomes an arsenal^[1][2]. The Captain fights in a free-flow style, and you switch between several characters who each bring their own tools. The game is not playable yet, so this page only covers what NetEase and the press have shown.

How does combat work in Ananta?

NetEase describes fights inspired by martial arts and kung fu cinema, with interactions with the environment and improvised weapons such as golf clubs or trash bins^[1][2]. Instead of being pulled into a separate arena, you fight in the streets and use whatever is lying around.

Hands-on reports from Gamescom 2026 describe a free-flow melee system built on four basic actions: light attack, heavy attack, guard and dodge^[3][4]. Enemy attacks are color-coded, so you can read what is coming, and skills run on short cooldowns of about five seconds^[3]. In its preview, PC Gamer lists Batman Arkham, Sleeping Dogs, Uncharted and Spider-Man among the influences it noticed in the game^[4].

What makes the Captain's fighting style different?

The Captain, head of the ACD special task force, fights with tentacle-like appendages^[3][4]. The same ability is used to swing between buildings, so fighting and getting around share one toolkit. The official site also shows that the Captain existed in male and female versions in past material^[8]. Everything we know about the protagonist is on our Captain page.

Can you use guns and vehicles in fights?

Yes. Beyond melee, previews mention firearms and shooting from vehicles^[3][4]. Some characters bring their vehicle straight into combat: Taffy, the delivery girl who joined the ACD, fights with her motorbike^[8][4]. Seymour, the masked hacker, uses robot spider gadgets during stealth sections^[4]. For every way to move around the city, see our guide to vehicles and traversal.

How does character switching work?

You switch between several characters, each with their own story^[5][6][4]. The developers told TechRadar that a character you are not controlling "continues to live their own life"^[5]. Each one fights differently. Here is what has been shown or reported:

Sources: official site for playable characters^[8], PC Gamer for the other styles^[4]. The characters marked "Reported by PC Gamer" are not listed as playable on the official site. Our character roster tracks their status.

Is it still four-character team combat?

At the 2023 Project Mugen reveal, Gematsu reported team combat with four characters^[7]. More recent coverage describes switching between characters rather than fast team-swap combat^[4]. NetEase has not said whether the four-character team system from 2023 is still in the game, so treat it as unconfirmed.

What is still unknown about combat?

• The final launch roster of playable characters has not been announced. Our characters overview lists who has been shown.
• How characters unlock or upgrade their skills has not been detailed in any source we track.
• Whether the 2023 team system survives, as explained above.

Since nobody outside test sessions has played the game, we publish no tier list and no build advice. This page will be updated as soon as NetEase shares more.