Neverness to Everness (NTE; simplified Chinese: 异环; traditional Chinese: 異環; pinyin: Yì Huán, lit. 'Strange Ring') is an upcoming free-to-play open world action role-playing game developed by Hotta Studio, a subsidiary of Perfect World Games. The game is built using Unreal Engine 5 and features NVIDIA DLSS and Ray Tracing technology.
Setting
The game takes place in Hethereau, a vast futuristic urban metropolis where everyday life is interspersed with supernatural events known as Anomalies. Players take on the role of an Appraiser, an unlicensed Anomaly Hunter who works through the antique shop Eibon to investigate, neutralize, and contain these Anomalies.
The world teems with surreal encounters, from TV-headed Oddities to supernatural Espers with extraordinary powers. The city features a cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic with dazzling neon signs and brightly illuminated streets, along with day/night cycles and dynamic weather that can transform environments into surreal, creepy worlds in real-time.
Gameplay
Neverness to Everness is a 3D action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. Players control different characters and collect items as they travel around in the seamlessly connected open virtual world without loading screens.
Characters can run, jump, sprint, climb, wall-run, swim, and drive various vehicles. The game features a four-character team system where players chain normal attacks, skills, and ultimates while swapping characters mid-combo.
The Esper Cycle mechanic uses six attributes (Light, Zero, Curse, Dark, Soul, Image) to trigger powerful synergy reactions. Unlike similar games, NTE puts heavy emphasis on vehicle gameplay with customizable vehicles featuring realistic damage systems.
Life Simulation
A defining feature of NTE is its extensive life simulation systems. Players can customize vehicles, purchase and design homes (from apartments to mansions), run businesses, fish, take taxi rides, race, play Mahjong, and work part-time jobs.
The city features an extensive public transportation network including trains. A unique prison system introduces consequences for criminal actions, including solitary confinement, outdoor time, and escape attempts.
Cooperative Content
Large-scale Anomaly Dungeons like The Bank and The Hospital offer cooperative multiplayer experiences, requiring teamwork to navigate complex supernatural environments.
Platforms and Release
Neverness to Everness will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS. The game held its Containment Test (first closed beta) from July 3-16, 2025.
The Co-Ex Test (second global closed beta) runs from February 6-20, 2026, with multi-platform access and support for English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Russian.
The game recently received a publication license in China, suggesting a potential release before May 2026.