Hotta Studio, the game developers who brought the worldTower of Fantasyare at it again, this time with a brand-new, open-world RPG set in a sprawling, futuristic city fraught with supernatural occurrences.Tower of Fantasy, Hotta Studio’s initial product in the open-world genre, features a light sci-fi style and anime aesthetics. With the successful introduction of Cyber City (ver2.0) and Future City (ver4.0), the game continues to thrive in its long-term operations.
This has paved the way for the just announced urban open-world RPG, titledNeverness to Everness, which promises immersive gameplay thanks to the studio’s upgrade to Unreal Engine 5. Along with the announcement, Hotta Studio has openedpre-registration for playerswho want to test out the game before its official release.
Neverness to Evernessis already set to outperform its predecessor on day one, with the game utilizing advanced tech, such as the aforementioned Unreal Engine 5, plus NVIDIA DLSS rendering and ray tracing. NVIDIA’s partnership with Hotta Studio on this project is a powerful vote of confidence, and one that should pay off in the form of excellent visuals and smooth gameplay.
Hotta Studio unveiled theannouncement trailerthis week, showing off the game’s style and pacing. Fans ofFortnitewill probably be pleased with the playable characters, which are cel-shaded just like the anime character skins they’re used to donning.
UnlikeFortnite, the rest of the game is built with stunning attention to detail. The low-level, innermost sections of the city exude the dark atmosphere expected of a somewhat cyberpunk setting, while at the same time, the game isn’t afraid to play with vibrant colors in other areas. Bright and bold scenes are just as common as the gloomy and dramatic ones, both cropping up as you explore the city, unlock new abilities, and progress the story. Although the world layout is similar to other RPG titles, the small background details give the world a fresh feeling throughout.
What’s the Story inNeverness to Everness?
Neverness to Evernessis set in a world where humans coexist with “anomalies”. These anomalies happen at random and come with a broad spectrum of effects, ranging from minor inconveniences to major crises. Players are residents of an expansive metropolis called Hethereau. Throughout the city, anomalies show up as free-roaming skateboards and animals wearing clothes or even equipment. However, in the world ofNeverness to Everness, and Hethereau specifically, seeing strange things isn’t all that weird!
It definitely helps that some people are capable of handling anomalies with relative ease. Using a power called “Esper Ability”, players can use a variety of powers to remove anomalies and travel across their city. Players aren’t alone in the fight against Hethereau’s anomalies either. New characters will show up and join up with players to deal with anomalies.
Between the player and their team of NPCs, they’ll tackle problems big and small throughout the city. Mysteries abound inNeverness to Everness, and players will need to investigate expected crises, find troublesome anomalies, and, of course, build a rich life along the way.
Adventuring inNeverness to Everness
Dealing with anomalies may be the main storyline inNeverness to Everness, but there are plenty of other adventures to dive into as well. When they aren’t defeating anomalies, players get to build their own unique lifestyle through extra accessories and activities.
For instance, part ofNeverness to Evernessallows players to modify sports cars, which aren’t just for looks. Players will be able to race along stormy streets in Hethereau with their custom rides.
Likewise, gathering accessories and items won’t always help in battle, but they could make a house a home. Yes, inNeverness to Evernessplayers can buy and design their own home, and Hotta Studio has said that more content will be released over time. Regardless of the extracurricular activities you choose to pursue, you’ll slowly build and experience a vibrant urban life in the city of Hethereau.
Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, exploring a variety of buildings is a cinch. Using Unreal Engine 5,Neverness to Evernesshas been built with a cohesive urban framework that leverages Nanite Virtualized Geometry systems to bring everything together in a sensible, realistic way. Players can pass by antique shops and convenience stores that not only can provide them with gear, missions, and all kinds of other goodies, but also make the city really feel alive. Adding to the realism are myriad details.
Every indoor space has tons of decor and furniture, while stepping out onto the street captures unsettling vibes through eerie lighting that slips between skyscrapers, reflective puddles on the sidewalk, and towering buildings covered in signage. Of course, during the day things are much more inviting, especially considering the city is nestled on a beautiful coastline.
The battle system doesn’t appear to be anything too surprising, even if the enemies you’ll be battling do have a unique design. Depending on your weapons, abilities, and the type of anomaly you’re fighting, combat will vary quite a bit.
Players who enjoy anime-style RPGs likeGenshin Impactor Hotta’s ownTower of Fantasywill find more exciting adventures when they dive intoNeverness to Everness.
Expect the Unexpected
Although Hotta Studios doesn’t have an official release date yet, you may still make solid plans to hunt down anomalies inNeverness to Evernessbypre-registering for the gameon the game’s official website.Neverness to Evernesswill be available on PC, console, and mobile once released, joining the ranks of other multi-platform, free-to-play games currently dominating the market. You can alsojoin their Discordor follow Neverness to Evernesson social mediato stay up to date with the game’s progress!
