A new game from Tencent, called Light of Motiram, has sparked a heated debate among gamers, with many drawing comparisons to Guerrilla Games’ iconic Horizon series. It’s not uncommon for games to be inspired by successful titles, but the connection here seems quite glaring.
Launched less than ten years ago, the Horizon series quickly became one of PlayStation’s standout successes. Players were captivated by Horizon Zero Dawn’s breathtaking post-apocalyptic landscapes, where mechanized animals roaming the wild added thrilling unpredictability. With 24 million copies sold, the game laid the groundwork for a flourishing franchise. Just last year, Guerrilla announced they’re currently developing 16 more Horizon projects.
Considering Horizon’s distinct setting, any game taking cues from it is bound to be noticed. Enter Light of Motiram, crafted by Tencent’s Polaris Quest. Its description on Steam paints a picture of an open-world adventure set in a place where “human civilization has ceased to exist,” blending nature with machinery—a premise that sounds strikingly familiar to Horizon fans.
From the preview images, Light of Motiram’s world looks almost like a mirror of Horizon’s environments. The green landscapes, robotic animals, and tribal-like human settlements all echo the series. The game even includes a character with red hair and a penchant for bow and arrow combat, reminiscent of Aloy, Horizon’s main character. These robotic creatures, or “Mechanimals,” can be tamed—again echoing the Horizon games’ override mechanic. Yet, Light of Motiram does introduce unique elements like co-op play for up to nine friends and base-building features.
Despite these differences, the game isn’t escaping the critique of being too closely mirrored to Horizon. Some are wondering if Guerrilla Games and their parent company, Sony, might consider legal action against Tencent, given recent events like Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld for similar reasons. Currently, Light of Motiram is slated for a 2025 release on PC and mobile, though this timing could shift if legal battles arise.
The Horizon series itself is renowned for following Aloy as she navigates a world populated by awe-inspiring robotic creatures. This action RPG has already expanded with a sequel, Horizon: Forbidden West, allowing players to immerse themselves in an expansive, open world. Whether Light of Motiram will live up to its source of inspiration or steer its path remains to be seen.
