Tencent’s upcoming title, Light of Motiram, has found itself in hot water with gamers who claim it borrows heavily—if not outright copies—elements from Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, many fans argue that the similarities are too glaring to ignore.
Yes, players believe Light of Motiram has taken too much from Horizon.
Criticism revolves around the game’s visual and thematic elements. Like Horizon, Light of Motiram is set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by robotic animals, with a redheaded protagonist who wields a bow and arrow.
While Tencent attempts to differentiate the game with features like co-op multiplayer and base building, fans argue these additions don’t disguise the similarities.
Fans and critics have been quick to point out several aspects of Light of Motiram that bear an uncanny resemblance to Horizon:
Setting and Concept: Both games take place in post-apocalyptic worlds where nature meets advanced technology. Light of Motiram describes its world as one where “human civilization has ceased to exist,” much like the premise of Horizon.
- Mechanimals vs. Machines: The robotic creatures in Light of Motiram (dubbed “Mechanimals”) are strikingly similar to the mechanical animals of Horizon. Some players even claim that certain designs look “copy-pasted.”
- Protagonist Design: The protagonist’s appearance—a redhead using a bow and arrow—feels too close to Horizon’s main character, Aloy.
- Gameplay Parallels: Taming robotic creatures, which is a key feature in Light of Motiram, closely mirrors Horizon’s override mechanic.
Fans on social media and gaming forums have been vocal. Comments like, “How do you invest so much money and time into a game that’s copying another’s core visual elements?” and “If Horizon was owned by Nintendo, this game would already be in court,” capture the community’s frustration.
How Is Tencent Responding?
As of now, neither Tencent nor Polaris Quest (the game’s developer) has directly addressed these accusations. However, the official Light of Motiram Steam page emphasizes its unique features, such as base building and co-op play for up to nine players.
Whether these features are enough to set the game apart remains to be seen.
Past incidents, like Nintendo suing the developers of Palworld for alleged similarities to Pokémon, suggest that Sony and Guerrilla Games might pursue legal action.
The controversy highlights an ongoing debate in the gaming industry about the line between inspiration and plagiarism.
While many games borrow ideas from successful franchises, Light of Motiram might have crossed that line with its visual and thematic choices.
Will Light of Motiram manage to distinguish itself from Horizon, or will Sony step in to protect its IP? Is this a case of blatant copying, or are fans overreacting? Share your thoughts below!
Averagebeing’s Take: The backlash against Light of Motiram underscores how fiercely protective fans are of their favorite franchises. While the game’s co-op and base-building features are interesting, the similarities to Horizon are undeniable. Whether Tencent intended this or not, it feels like a step too far into Horizon territory—and we wouldn’t be surprised if Sony’s lawyers are already drafting letters.
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