Enter Neverness to Everness (NTE), the upcoming supernatural urban open-world RPG from Perfect World's Hotta Studio, the team behind the successful *Tower of Fantasy*. Following the tremendous response to its Co-Ex Test (third closed beta) running from February 6-20, 2026, the game has been turning heads with its ambitious vision and player-friendly systems .
With over 20 million pre-registrations already secured and an App Store listing pointing to a May 2026 release, NTE is positioning itself as a major contender in the anime open-world space . Here's our comprehensive review roundup based on the latest Co-Ex Test build.
What is Neverness to Everness?
Neverness to Everness is an open-world RPG set in Hethereau, a dense urban environment plagued by mysterious phenomena known as "Anomalies"—distortions in reality that range from strange to outright horrifying .
Players assume the role of a protagonist who has lost all memories prior to the opening scene (with gender choice available at start). Recruited by the Bureau of Anomaly Control, the protagonist is assigned to Eibon, a severely underfunded branch of anomaly hunters operating out of a struggling antique shop. Working as an "appraiser," players investigate, analyze, and resolve supernatural disturbances occurring throughout the city .
Built on Unreal Engine 5 with support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, NTE delivers film-grade visuals with a distinctive 2.5D anime aesthetic that brings its modern metropolis to life . The game features real-time action combat where players build teams of characters with unique abilities and switch between them during encounters, all within a seamless open world without loading screens .
What sets NTE apart is its "anything-goes" approach—it's been frequently described as "anime GTA" for good reason. Beyond anomaly hunting, players can commandeer vehicles, commit crimes with consequences, run businesses, decorate apartments, and engage in a dizzying array of side activities .
Release Date: What We Know So Far
Current Status: Neverness to Everness does not currently have an officially confirmed global release date from developer Hotta Studio. However, significant indicators point toward an imminent launch .
App Store Listing
The iOS App Store page displays an "Expected May 15, 2026" date. It's important to note that such listings often serve as placeholders and don't guarantee the game will go live on that specific date. The Google Play Store and PlayStation Store have yet to indicate the same release window .
Pre-Registration Milestones
Pre-registration is now open across iOS, Android, PC, and PlayStation 5. As of early February 2026, the game has surpassed 20 million pre-registrations, with rewards unlocking at various milestones:
- 15M: Beetle Coin x30,000
- 20M: Elite Hunter Guide x20
- 25M: Fabricated Dice x5
- 30M: Character - Haniel x1
- 35M: Fabricated Dice x15
Additionally, if official social media accounts reach 5 million followers, all players will unlock an exclusive Whisker Glider Skin .
Platforms: NTE will be available on PC (dedicated client), PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android, with cross-platform play expected at launch .
The Co-Ex Test: Major Updates and Improvements
The Co-Ex Test (third closed beta), running February 6-20, 2026, represents a significant leap forward from previous tests. Here's what players and reviewers are experiencing:
Revamped Crime and Wanted System
One of the most talked-about features is the enhanced wanted system. Committing illegal activities—from hitting pedestrians to stealing cars—increases your wanted level. Once police give chase, you'll need to outdrive them or face capture .
What makes this system special is what happens when you're caught: instead of a black screen time-skip, you're sent to a fully-realized detention center where you can:
- Work off your debt through community service (including a surprisingly engaging power-washing simulator)
- Pay fines using in-game currency
- Attempt a daring jailbreak with multiple escape routes
The detention center even features its own daily schedule, traders, and unique rewards—including a prison outfit for your protagonist—proving that Hotta Studio is thinking beyond conventional gacha game design .
Vehicle System Overhaul
Driving has received substantial attention in this build:
- New vehicle types: Muscle cars, supercars, and sports bikes join the lineup
- First-person mode: Experience Hethereau from behind the wheel with immersive cockpit view
- Enhanced physics: Realistic damage models, tires that can be shot out, breakable glass, and even vehicle explosions under specific conditions
- New interactions: Honking, jumping out at full speed (more fun than practical, reviewers note), and companion passengers with ride animations
While the driving mechanics have improved, some reviewers note that handling still feels somewhat stiff compared to dedicated racing games—an area for continued polish before launch .
Combat Refinements
Combat has been significantly tuned based on previous beta feedback:
What's improved:
- Boss HP has been reduced—fights that previously took 10 minutes now clear in about 3
- Combat feels faster, more fluid, and more impactful
- Parrying, dodging, and Esper cycles are smoother
The Esper Gauge system stands out as particularly innovative: instead of simply swapping characters, activating a switch allows the incoming character to perform an entry attack while your current one remains active. This creates fluid overlaps where both characters occupy the battlefield in coordinated exchanges, making switching feel strategic and stylish rather than just rotational .
However, some reviewers note that the combat leans heavily into melee-focused gameplay, with most characters fighting up close. While some ranged capabilities exist, they aren't default attacks, leading to potential repetitiveness. The elemental reaction system, while functional, doesn't feel groundbreaking compared to competitors .
New Playable Characters
The Co-Ex Test introduces four new S-tier characters:
- Daffodil : A DPS who executes stylish maneuvers by switching between team members while dealing massive damage. She boosts teammate support damage, and her ultimate excels at breaking enemies—especially when charged quickly through parrying .
- Juan : Another DPS who deals consistent damage while gathering resources for huge burst damage at opportune moments. Her redirect skill provides self-buffs while debuffing enemies; more debuffs mean more serious ultimate damage .
- Haniel : A fan-favorite character praised for her adorable design .
- Additional character: The test also features another new playable character rounding out the roster .
New Dungeons and Game Modes
Pink Paws Heist: A team-based large-scale dungeon where players infiltrate, steal resources, and extract safely while navigating patrolling anomalies. All characters used here are equalized with fixed stats regardless of player progression, meaning you can use level one unbuilt characters .
Hospital Mode: A psychological horror game mode supporting multiplayer. While some reviewers admit being too scared to finish it, the atmospheric design has been praised .
Super Sound: A brand new rhythm game added to Hethereau's hobby scene .
The Gacha System
NTE features two banner types:
- Standard Banner: Uses blue dice
- Limited/Rader Banner: Uses red dice
Hard pity sits at 90 pulls—and crucially, limited banners are 100% guaranteed. No 50/50 mechanic. If you hit pity, you're getting the featured unit .
After your initial 50 pulls on the standard banner, you receive an S-rank selector allowing free choice among the six available standard characters. The first 10 pulls are discounted by 20% .
The "Board Game" Presentation
What truly sets NTE's gacha apart is its presentation. Rather than a passive animation cutscene, you're literally rolling dice across a board game-style layout, landing on tiles corresponding to rewards. Pulling becomes interactive and tactile—transforming what's usually an anxiety-inducing moment into a mini-game of its own .
Dupe System
The "awakening" system is remarkably flexible: as soon as you get your first dupe for a character, you can choose any of the ability slots to unlock—not just sequential upgrades. You can also change your selection at will to customize characters for specific scenarios. Need more healing in a boss fight? Switch to that support buff. Need higher damage for time attacks? Choose the damage boost. This adds significant depth to character synergies .
Pull Rates
The consolidated chance of obtaining an S-rank character is 1.87%, with a base chance of 0.99% before soft pity . Whether this is generous depends on the full economy at launch—test environments often provide more currency than live servers, so the jury remains out on final implementation .
Outfit Gacha
A functional outfit gacha runs alongside limited banners, allowing players to obtain cosmetics while pulling for characters .
Living in Hethereau: The City as Character
Immersive World Design
Reviewers consistently emphasize that Hethereau itself is the game's strongest asset:
- Dynamic weather systems with realistic effects—rain puddles remain after storms, surfaces stay visibly moist
- No black screens or transitions—the city is genuinely seamless
- NPCs with lives: They gather to chat, pull out phones while walking, and react to player actions
- Realistic collision physics: Even drone photography produces authentic collision feedback
Player Housing and Relationships
The relationship system allows players to raise affinity with characters high enough to:
- Invite them to accompany you around the city
- Hold hands while walking through town
- Play rock-paper-scissors mini-games
- Engage in "ear cleaning" interactions (yes, really)
- Summon them to your fully-decoratable apartment
Hobby Content
The sheer variety of side activities is staggering:
- Mahjong (online matchmaking only—no single-player mode currently)
- Fishing at sea angler spots
- Claw machines (notoriously rigged—one reviewer spent 50k+ coins before success)
- Taxi driving and barista work in the gig economy
- Shop management—decorate, stock, and run your own business for passive income
- Multiplayer Tetris
Beta Quirks
Reviewers note several beta-specific issues:
- On PS5, camera sensitivity is overly aggressive with no adjustment option
- Companion characters sometimes get stuck on the map
- Certain quests fail to trigger unless players move far away from the area
- Mahjong lacks single-player practice mode
These are acknowledged as typical beta growing pains and are expected to be addressed before launch.
Conclusion
If you've been waiting for a gacha set in a modern city that actually feels like a city, this might be it. The Co-Ex Test reveals a game that's rapidly maturing, expanding its scope beyond mere combat to offer a truly immersive and dynamic urban RPG experience .
Before launch day drains your wallet faster than your stamina bar, you might want to prepare smartly. If you’re planning to top up in Neverness to Everness, LDShop can help you recharge safely and at competitive prices. More pulls, less damage to your bank account — that’s the real late-game strategy. After all, surviving gacha isn’t just about luck; it’s about budgeting like a pro gamer.
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Savannah Reed Experienced Game Editor
Savannah Reed is a senior game editor at LDShop.gg, specializing in in-depth coverage of RPG and strategy games. With a strong focus on titles like Wuthering Waves, Honkai: Star Rail and Whiteout Survival, she combines industry insight with firsthand player experience to deliver clear, informative, and actionable content. Her work is dedicated to helping gamers make smarter decisions—whether it’s understanding new updates or optimizing their in-game strategy.
