Tencent has announced plans to bring its upcoming survival crafting game, Light of Motiram, to the PS5 alongside mobile and PC platforms. The news was shared on Tencent’s official PlayStation social media accounts in China, including Weibo and Bilibili, stirring both excitement and controversy.
Developed by Tencent’s Shanghai-based subsidiary Polaris Quest, the game is described as a free-to-play survival adventure “where nature meets machine.” With its stunning visuals and gameplay mechanics, the game has sparked heated debates, with many comparing it to Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West by Guerrilla Games.
Light of Motiram gameplay highlights
In a seven-minute gameplay video revealed by Tencent, Light of Motiram showcases a mix of mechanics reminiscent of popular titles like Monster Hunter and Palworld. Players can befriend “mechanimals”—robotic animals that serve various roles in the game, from mounts to resource-gathering assistants.
Key features include:
- Setting up a base camp and using mechanimals to assist with logging, farming, and crafting.
- Engaging in survival activities with realistic elements like weather effects. For instance, players must ventilate shelters before lighting fires to avoid suffocation or use lightning strikes to stun fish for easier collection.
- Traversing land, air, and water using mechanimals while battling foes and collecting resources with friends in multiplayer mode.
Despite these unique gameplay aspects, the visual style and world design of Light of Motiram bear a striking resemblance to Guerrilla’s post-apocalyptic Horizon series, particularly the iconic robot beasts and lush landscapes.
A ripple of controversy
Critics and fans alike have raised concerns about the game’s originality, labelling it as a possible “rip-off” of Horizon. While the survival gameplay differs from Horizon’s narrative-driven open-world exploration, the similarities in art direction and creature design have been hard to ignore.
Adding fuel to the fire, Guerrilla Games is reportedly developing a multiplayer Horizon spin-off, potentially setting the stage for a head-to-head rivalry. Light of Motiram’s ambitious multiplayer survival mechanics might even pre-empt some of Guerrilla’s plans, making this an intriguing development for gaming enthusiasts.
What’s next?
As discussions around the game’s inspirations and originality continue, Tencent appears to be pushing forward with confidence. With its free-to-play model and multi-platform launch, Light of Motiram is gearing up to carve a niche in the competitive survival crafting genre.
However, whether it will win over fans or face backlash remains to be seen. For now, both Tencent and Sony have declined to comment on the controversies surrounding the game.
For more gaming news, click right here.
