Tencent has announced a new open-world action-adventure game that appears to merge Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series on the PlayStation with Pocketpair’s controversial survival game Palworld. Developed by Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest, Light of Motiram looks very similar to the Horizon games, featuring tamable mechanical animals – called “mechanos.” Like Horizon, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness filled with mechanical beasts. However, Light of Motiram introduces survival and crafting elements similar to Palworld.
Light of Motiram announced
“The Earth and human civilization as we once knew it have disappeared. In the uncivilized wilderness, giant mechanical beasts roam freely, while humanity strives to rebuild at the dawn of a new primitive era,” reads the game’s description on Steam. “From lush rainforests to barren desert landscapes and snow-capped peaks, the secrets of Motiram are gradually revealed as you discover unique machinery and mysterious relics in different areas.”
Polaris Quest claims the game will include over 100 customizable machines to train and tame. While the official website details three mechanical creatures resembling a gorilla, a deer, and a buffalo, the Light of Motiram trailer shows off several other larger machines, including a giant sea serpent, a giant scorpion, and what appears to be a giant grasshopper.
Motiram’s “mechanical” light looks similar to the mechanical beasts from the Horizon series
Photo credit: Polaris Exploration
The game also includes melee and ranged combat, and players appear to be able to use a large hammer as a weapon. According to the developers, players can dodge, block, and counterattack. There seems to be more emphasis on companion mechs that appear to be able to fight alongside you. “Don’t forget to coordinate with your mechanical companions – choosing the right companion can double your combat effectiveness,” the description reads.
There are a lot of comparisons to the Horizon games, from the design of the mechanical creatures and vibrant environments to the post-apocalyptic tribal setting and red-haired heroine seen in promotional images. Some commentators and industry analysts commented on the similarities to X, accusing the game of plagiarizing Guerrilla Games’ intellectual property.
However, Light of Motiram also features survival and production elements, such as Palworld, which itself has been accused of copying Pokémon’s creature designs and is currently facing a lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The developers highlighted the game’s physics-based building system, which allows players to construct complex structures. “Light of Motiram” also comes with a survival mechanic where players must collect resources to survive in the wilderness.
Additionally, the developer said the open-world game will support co-op and cross-play for up to 10 players. Light of Motiram doesn’t have a release date yet, but the game’s Steam and Epic Games Store pages are now live so you can wishlist it. According to reports, the game will also be released on PlayStation and mobile platforms.
