The free-to-play, open-world RPG genre is in a golden age right now. As if we weren’t spoiled for choice already, the developer of the 2022 fan favorite, Tower of Fantasy, has announced a new title. Neverness to Everness is coming to PC, console, and mobile platforms.
Hotta Studio is building its upcoming supernatural role-playing game in Unreal Engine 5, improving on Tower of Fantasy’s Unreal Engine 4 pedigree. More, the game will utilize NVIDIA’s revolutionary DLSS technology for unrivaled ray tracing support. Hotta Studio has yet to give us a release date for the game, but pre-registration is now open at the game’s official website for those who want to be among the first to play.
The game will see players explore Hethereau, a sprawling metropolis where humans coexist with anomalies - mysterious supernatural entities that serve as the game’s antagonists. Using Esper abilities, players will explore the city, fight against these supernatural sightings, and build out an enthralling fantasy existence.
Anomalies can take on many different shapes and sizes. You could encounter a skateboard covered in graffiti or an otter with a TV for a head - there’s no telling what else is running amok in the city, so as you’d expect, combat against them will be an intense affair. Thankfully, in-game abilities like the ability to shift gravity will help you on your journey.
It is worth noting that like most of these free-to-play open-world RPGs though, you will need an online connection to log on, track your progress, and continue your virtual second existence.
Speaking of which, Hotta Studio seems to have dialed up the urban lifestyle elements of this game to the max. When you’re not tackling anomalies, you can buy and modify sports cars, manage businesses, or buy up real estate. If it sounds like an anime-inspired GTA Online, you might be on the right track. Your in-game properties can even be redesigned however you like. The cars in particular seem to be a main attraction, and racing them through the ray-traced, rainy streets of this urban jungle will surely be a sight to behold.
The announcement and gameplay trailer made it clear that this is a serious generational upgrade from Tower of Fantasy. Holding firm to its anime-influenced visuals, urban scenes now look much more realistic. Hotta has said that Unreal Engine 5 is leveraging Nanite Virtualized Geometry systems here, which adds a lot of detail to in-game surroundings.
From what we’ve seen, the lighting seems to be particularly impressive, with sunbeams gleaming through skyscrapers and filling Hetheraeu with character. Scenes like these really show off the benefits of NVIDIA’s ray tracing technology and make Neverness to Everness a particularly tempting title to check out.
