Overview
Neverness to Everness underwent three major beta test phases between November 2024 and February 2026 before its global launch on April 29, 2026. Each test brought significant changes based on community feedback, with Hotta Studio iterating on combat mechanics, map size, multiplayer features, and overall polish across the testing cycle.
CBT1 (November 28, 2024)
The first closed beta test took place on November 28, 2024 and was available in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. This initial test showcased the core gameplay loop, including the real-time action combat system, the open-world city of Hethereau, and the supernatural investigation storyline. Players got their first hands-on experience with character swapping, the Esper Cycle elemental system, and basic exploration mechanics.
Feedback from CBT1 was mixed but constructive. Players praised the ambitious city design and visual quality but noted that the combat system lacked defensive options beyond basic dodging. The absence of a parry mechanic was a frequently cited issue, as many players felt combat encounters became repetitive without additional defensive tools.
Containment Test / CBT2 (July 2025)
The second closed beta, branded the Containment Test, ran from July 3 to July 16, 2025 and marked the first time international players could participate. This was a major expansion over CBT1, addressing several key complaints from the China-only test.
The most significant addition was the parry system, introduced directly in response to CBT1 feedback. Players could now time defensive inputs to deflect enemy attacks, adding a new layer of skill expression to combat. Dodge-counter mechanics were also refined, giving players more responsive and rewarding defensive options.
The map received a substantial expansion with two entirely new districts: Miguel and New Herland. These additions made the playable city approximately 1.5 times larger than the CBT1 version. The new areas introduced fresh environments, NPC populations, and points of interest for exploration.
Co-Ex Test / CBT3 (February 6-20, 2026)
The third and final closed beta, called the Co-Ex Test, ran from February 6 to February 20, 2026. Available on PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile devices, this test served as the definitive pre-launch preview of the game.
The Co-Ex Test placed heavy emphasis on multiplayer content. The Pink Paws Heist, a team-based infiltration dungeon with equalized stats, debuted during this phase. The crime and wanted system was fully playable for the first time, including police pursuits and the in-game prison with its community service and jailbreak mechanics. Several new playable characters were introduced to expand the roster.
A critical balance change from CBT3 was the adjustment of boss fight durations. In earlier tests, some boss encounters lasted approximately 10 minutes, which many players found tedious. Hotta Studio rebalanced these encounters to last roughly 3 minutes, creating a faster and more engaging combat pace.
Beta Test Timeline
Test | Date | Key Additions | |
|---|---|---|---|
CBT1 | November 28, 2024 | PC, Mobile (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau) | Initial gameplay, combat, open world |
Containment Test (CBT2) | July 3-16, 2025 | PC | Parry system, dodge-counters, Miguel and New Herland districts, 1.5x map expansion |
Co-Ex Test (CBT3) | February 6-20, 2026 | PC, PS5, mobile (global) | Pink Paws Heist, crime/wanted system, prison, new characters, boss rebalancing |
Event Appearances
Alongside the beta tests, Hotta Studio showcased Neverness to Everness at several major gaming conventions. These public appearances gave attendees hands-on playtime and generated significant media coverage between testing phases.
Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
September 2024 | The game's first major public showing. Playable demos were available on the show floor, generating early buzz among Japanese and international media ahead of the China-only CBT1 in November. | |
August 2025 | Featured at the Cologne event following the successful Containment Test. The demo highlighted the expanded map and refined combat system with the new parry mechanics. | |
September 2025 | Return appearance at TGS with the first playable mobile demo available in Japan. This show demonstrated the mobile version's performance and controls ahead of the multi-platform Co-Ex Test in early 2026. |
These event appearances helped build the game's international community between beta phases and provided Hotta Studio with valuable player feedback from live demo sessions.
Community Feedback Summary
Positive Reception
Aspect | Feedback |
|---|---|
World design | reviewers called Hethereau "one of the biggest, fullest cityscapes" in the genre, praising the density and variety of the urban environment. |
Story quality | the supernatural investigation narrative received strong praise for its writing, atmosphere, and mystery structure. |
Esper Gauge combat | the fluid character swapping system, where both the outgoing and incoming characters briefly coexist on the battlefield, was highlighted as a standout mechanic. |
Generousgacha | the absence of a 50/50 system on the limited banner and the board-game-style pulling mechanic were widely praised as player-friendly. |
Reactive NPCs | the city's NPC population responds to player actions, reacting to combat, vehicle theft, and other behaviors in believable ways. |
Critical Feedback
Issue | Feedback |
|---|---|
PS5 camera sensitivity | controller camera controls felt too sensitive or inconsistent for some console players during CBT3. |
Driving mechanics | vehicle handling was described as stiff, particularly compared to dedicated driving games. Drifting and cornering felt unnatural. |
Melee-heavy roster | at launch, most characters are melee-focused, and some players expressed a desire for more ranged options and playstyle diversity. |
Level-locked mainquests | progression through the main story required reaching certain levels, which occasionally forced players into side content to level up before continuing. |
Mahjong missing single-player | the mahjong mini-game was multiplayer-only during beta, with no AI opponent option. AI opponents are being added for launch. |
Beta bugs | typical beta issues including visual glitches, occasional performance drops, and minor UI inconsistencies were reported across all tests. |
Related Pages
Development History: the full timeline from announcement through launch.
Neverness to Everness: main game overview.
Combat System: details on parry, dodge, and the Relay System.