Revision 2

Overview

Public transportation is a traversal system in Neverness to Everness that provides an alternative to walking, running, driving personal vehicles, and gliding. The city of Hethereau features an extensive network of trains, trams, buses, taxis, and the supernatural Ghost Train. Players can ride these services to travel quickly between areas without needing to own or drive a vehicle. Public transportation is free to use and available from early in the game.

Transportation Types

Train

The main rapid transit system connecting Hethereau's major districts. Trains follow fixed routes along dedicated rail lines and run on a schedule tied to the in-game clock. They are the fastest conventional way to travel long distances within the city. Train stations are located in each major district, serving as transit hubs that also function as landmarks for navigation.

Players board trains by entering a station and waiting for the next arrival. Once aboard, the ride plays out in real time, allowing the player to look out the windows and watch the city pass by. The affinity system includes companion moments that can trigger on train rides, such as taking a train ride together with a character as a spontaneous city encounter.

Tram

Street-level rail vehicles that run through district interiors on tracks embedded in the road surface. Trams are slower than trains but have more frequent stops, making them useful for short-to-medium distance travel within a single district. They share road space with vehicle traffic and pedestrians, giving tram rides a more grounded, street-level perspective of the city compared to elevated train routes.

Bus

Road-based public transit following set routes through city streets. Buses share the road with other traffic and are the most common form of public transportation in Hethereau. Bus routes cover areas that trains and trams do not reach, filling gaps in the transit network and providing service to residential neighborhoods and smaller commercial areas.

Taxi

Players can ride as passengers in NPC-driven taxis for quick point-to-point transportation. Hailing a taxi provides a convenient way to reach a specific destination without following a fixed route. Taxis are also central to the Taxi Driver side activity, where the player takes on the driver role and picks up NPC passengers for tips and rewards.

Ghost Train

The Ghost Train is a supernatural transit option unique to Neverness to Everness. Unlike conventional trains, the Ghost Train can traverse anomaly spaces, passing through areas where reality is distorted by anomalous activity. This makes it both a transportation tool and a thematic element of the game's supernatural setting.

The Ghost Train appears on its own schedule and follows routes that conventional transit cannot access. Riding it provides a different perspective on Hethereau's anomaly-afflicted areas and can serve as a shortcut through zones that would otherwise require detours on foot or by vehicle. The Ghost Train's spectral appearance and unusual route make it one of the more memorable traversal experiences in the game.

Route Coverage

The public transportation network connects all of Hethereau's major districts. Route coverage was expanded during the Containment Test beta with additional tram and bus routes to accommodate the newer Miguel District and New Herland District areas.

Schedule and Day-Night Cycle

Public transit runs throughout the day-night cycle, though service frequency varies by time of day. During daytime hours, trains, trams, and buses run at peak frequency with shorter wait times between arrivals. At night, service thins out, with longer gaps between departures. This reflects the broader shift in NPC behavior and city activity between day and night.

The Ghost Train follows its own supernatural schedule that does not align with conventional transit timetables. Its appearances are less predictable, adding to its otherworldly character.

Comparison with Other Traversal Options

Hethereau offers multiple ways to get around. Choosing the right one depends on the situation.

Tips

• Public transportation is completely free. Use it early in the game before you have access to personal vehicles.

• Trains are the fastest option for traveling between distant districts. Learn where the stations are to plan efficient routes.

• Use trams and buses to discover new areas along their routes. Riding through a district you have not explored can reveal points of interest you might otherwise miss.

• Riding public transportation can trigger random observations and small events, adding to the atmosphere.

• The Ghost Train passes through anomaly spaces that are otherwise inconvenient to traverse. If you see it arriving, consider hopping on for a shortcut.

• Companion moments can trigger on train rides at higher affinity levels, making transit a surprisingly personal experience.